Coonhounds

Please tell me anything and everything about Coonhounds.

Are they normally a social dog? I'm guessing yes, but i've never had one.
What health issues are prevalent?
Easily housetrained?
Would it be hard to transition an outdoor Coonhound to be an indoor dog?
Would you say they are an easy dog to adopt out? Or mostly experienced people look for these hounds for the most part?

There is a reason for all these questions

Wich type of Coonhound are you looking at? They all have very different temperments. Are you looking at a working or show line dog?

Hounds, esp scent hounds can/are hard to train. They are stuborn and want to know whats in it for them. They are a social dog but not a off leash dog at any time.

Again, I can feel another sware wood coming on

LMAO Hayley. Just you wait, one day traveling with me to a show you will be surounded by Beagles and one Black and Tan coonhound.

Think Beagle except BIGGER and LOUDER!!!


Bwaa Haa Haa

For the most part they're pretty social, Plotts can be less so. They're good in a pack for hunting, but they can get kinda snippy when left to their own devices. Some of the other breeds aren't as "serious" or easily offended, but it's really up to the individual dog.

Genetically, they're pretty healthy. I'd say your biggest issues would probably be surrounding hips or elbows, but health testing isn't terribly prominent in this group, so...

Mine have resisted housetraining with a vengeance, but I think that's just me. I know other people have had fabulous luck... mine are fine as long as I'm home, so I just crate when I'm not.

ALL my hounds came from outdoor homes to my home, so I can honestly say NO it is NOT difficult for them to transition to indoor life as long as they are being EXERCISED!

Ease of adoption depends where you're from - here in Pennsylvania, we've had relatively good luck with most of ours, but we did have an older one for like a year. It goes easier if you're willing to educate people as to what wonderful companions they really make (and they do! Liz has gone through obedience with flying colors and through intermediate agility as well) AND POSSIBLY BE EDUCATED - if I was looking for a rescue dog, and the rescue flat out told me "don't ever use this dog for hunting or it violates the contract & we'll take him back" I would go elsewhere. Liz doesn't hunt, but loves to walk along - so the value of the hound to me isn't tied up in it's hunting abilities, but I'd certainly give it the chance. With GPS tracking, I've never lost a dog.

Also, depending upon your breed choice, you can teach them off-leash reliability. I hate when people act like "OMGIFYOULETITGOYOU'LLNEVERSEEITAGAIN!!!!" Ummm... if I had to drive down the road to head off my dog every time I was ready to call it a night, I'm pretty sure I'd quit hunting

Liz can be offleash in my tiny yard and the tiny PATCH of grass in town where I work (can't remember the last time she WORE a leash....) Rage will generally go exploring so she doesn't have the same freedoms. Bear is pretty reliable around the house, Eer can be - but Liz has been worked with the most.

Are they normally a social dog? For the most part, yes. I have met hounds that were just independent and wanted nothing to do with you. My coonhound, Buster is pretty social, but not that affectionate really.

What health issues are prevalent? Hip Dysplasia is a big one, so it's important to keep your hound at a proper weight.
Easily housetrained? It depends on the dog, really regardless of breed. Buster is a late bloomer so he took a lot of time to get the house training as a puppy.

Would it be hard to transition an outdoor Coonhound to be an indoor dog? Not at all, you would just have to get the dog used to living indoors.


Would you say they are an easy dog to adopt out? I don't think they are easy to adopt out by working at the shelter. Most just sit there for months until a person comes along.

I recommend whether you buy or adopt a coonhound that you have hands on experience or have done tons of research. They are not exactly the easiest dogs to own and not for the average owner. What I mean by this is they can be trying at times. Stubborn and hard headed. They are wonderful dogs, but you must love all the traits they come with.

If you don't want a loud dog that never shuts up at times no matter what you do, then a coonhound is not for you. They are highly food motivated and can try to steal your meals. It took me awhile to curb Buster from counter surfing. They also can be dog aggressive.

They need a job, whether it's hunting or some dog sport like agility or even search and rescue. They even make great hiking partners. They are also classic escape artists so proper containment is needed such as tying them out if you have to do something.

Even with the best of a fence, they can find a way out if they smell something, see a cat, etc. If I was going to recommmend a hound for you, they are not a coonhound but I would recommend the Bloodhound. To me, they are probably the easier hounds to own than a Coonhound but they do come with a plethora of health issues if not well bred.