Treeing Walker Coonhound Basics
If you’ve got room in your life for a very active companion, you may find the dog you’re looking for in the Treeing Walker Coonhound. Also known as the English Coonhound, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is passionate about hunting. But that doesn’t mean that he also doesn’t make an excellent family pet. He just needs plenty of daily exercise to keep him happy and out of trouble.
Don’t be surprised if your dog routinely chases raccoons and squirrels up a tree – he’s just following his instincts. He loves children and other dogs, but he may not get along with the family cat, as he loves the chase (and your cat might not appreciate that). Suitable for both first-time and experienced owners, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a great addition to households that have room for them to run around. Please read on to learn more about this breed.
If you’ve got room in your life for a very active companion, you may find the dog you’re looking for in the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
Origin
Brought to Virginia by Thomas Walker in 1742, the Treeing Walker Coonhound looks a lot like its ancestor, the English Foxhound. But this breed served a different purpose – this hunting dog trees its prey (small game such as raccoons and opossums) and lets its owner know with a distinctive bay that can be heard from a long distance.
The Treeing Walker Coon is known for its ability to run at great speeds, which makes it a success at field trials. As a hunting companion, he’s priced for his keen nose, distinctive bark and tireless endurance.
Pedigree
An American breed, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is descended from American and English Foxhounds.
Food / Diet
Feeding depends on if you’re using your Treeing Walker Coonhound to hunt. He will need higher protein and fat intake in order to aid endurance, energy and muscle mass. If your dog is going to be more of a family pet, then he won’t need as much fat or protein. Whether you’re going with a high-quality dry kibble or a homemade diet, be sure to monitor quantity to match exercise levels.
This is an intelligent breed, so you’ll find the Treeing Walker Coonhounds easy to train.
Training
This is an intelligent breed, so you’ll find the Treeing Walker Coonhounds easy to train. You’ll need to provide consistent training throughout their lifetime. But you’ll find the process to be as rewarding as he does, as he wants to please you. By using praise and treats as rewards, you’ll be pleased with the outcome. These dogs do not respond to harsh treatment – in fact, it will cause trust issues and may cause your dog to become shy.
You’ll find that your Treeing Walker Coonhound will master the basics and will be read to tackle advanced obedience or agility training. This can help use up some of the excess energy these dogs are famous for.
Weight
A medium- to large-sized breed, the Treeing Walker Coonhound weights between 50 and 70 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Loving, intelligent and confident, the Treeing Walker Coonhound makes a wonderful family pet as well as an exceptional hunting dog. After a day of hunting, he’ll still want to play with kids. Be sure to include him in all of your activities, especially those that include children and other dogs. He’ll make a fine addition to a multi dog household, but he may want to chase the family cat. At the end of a busy day, he’s quite ready to join you on the couch for a cuddle.
This breed was made to hunt, so small animals best beware around the Treeing Walker Coonhound. Your house will be safe from dangerous squirrels and raccoons! Thanks to that keen nose, he’ll follow a scent and disregard everything else going on around him. This can cause problems if your dog takes off and won’t listen to commands to come back. Keep a close eye on him and keep him on a leash when he’s not in a fenced-in area.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are known to develop separation anxiety if left alone too long. Exercise can help curb this issue, but these dogs do best in a household where someone is home.
Common Health Problems
A relatively healthy breed, the only problem the Treeing Walker Coonhound may suffer from is polyradiculoneuritis (paralysis due to acute inflammation of the nerves).
Life Expectancy
The Treeing Walker Coonhound has an average lifespan of 11 to 13 years.
Exercise Requirements
This is a dog that’s known for its endurance, so you need to be active to keep up with him. The Treeing Walker Coonhound has plenty of energy to burn, so expect to be outside with him for one to two hours of vigorous exercise every day. But this can be a great way to get the whole family out for exercise – go for hikes, walks or jogs with your dog. Or let the kids take him out in the back yard for an extended game of fetch. Because he needs so much activity, this breed needs room to run around, so you’ll need a backyard to keep him happy.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds also do well in agility and field competitions. This is a good way for your dog to expend his massive energy reserve.
Loving, intelligent and confident, the Treeing Walker Coonhound makes a wonderful family pet as well as an exceptional hunting dog.
AKC
The American Kennel Association says this about the breed: “Called “the people’s choice” of the coonhound breeds, the energetic Treeing Walker is perfectly suited for the task for which it was bred – tracking and treeing wild raccoons. The breed’s competitive spirit makes it an ideal choice for competitive coonhound events.” The AKC first recognized this breed in 2012.
Coat
Smooth and shiny, the Treeing Walker Coonhound’s coat is white with black spots and tan markings or black with white markings and tan trim (saddleback). You can expect moderate, year-round shed, so brush your dog weekly to get rid of loose and dead fur.
Puppies
As with most puppies, socialization should begin early with Treeing Walker Coonhounds. They will take to their owners and family quickly, but need to meet new people and animals. If not properly socialized, your dog may develop anxiety and fearfulness issues as they grow into adulthood.
Photo credit: mclondicek/Flickr; Esturcke/Wikimedia
