American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound was bred from English hunting hounds first brought over in the 17th and 18th centuries. It was first called the Virginia Hound, and then the English Fox and Coonhound. It now goes by the name American English Coonhound, English Coonhound, or Redtick Coonhound, despite having been in America for several centuries. The Redtick Coonhound's name comes from the fact that many of the dogs have a red ticked pattern, although they do come in color combinations of red, blue, and white. (Cue the national anthem!)

High energy, loving, and trustworthy, the American English Coonhound loves to be active and does best with owners who can match their activity levels whether running, biking, hiking, or just playing in the yard. As pack dogs, they love to be involved in family activities and get along well with other dogs and pets. They can be headstrong and difficult to motivate once on a scent, so owners who have some hound experience are ideal.

A pack mentality keeps the English Coonhound’s mind engaged when with its owner. They love to run, chase, do scent work, hike, bike—you name it, so long as it’s active and with other dogs or people, they’re ready to jump in.

American English Coonhounds do best with homes in suburban or rural areas that have fenced-in yards where they can roam free in a controlled space.

Shiny and patriotic in shades of red, white, and blue, the American English Coonhound’s coat needs regular grooming. It’s short and hard, so a shedding tool or grooming mitt can help remove dead or loose hairs and keep your vacuum from going into overdrive. Regular baths are ideal.

Redtick Coonhounds can become possessive over objects and food, so it’s important to socialize them early and often to give them confidence. They can become well-mannered family members if properly trained and socialized. They can be tenacious and tireless, but also chill and polite, so it’s important to help them figure out how to turn those switches off and on. They bark to alert, so a good “quiet” or “settle” command should be taught.

Sweet and generally easygoing, the American English Coonhound can be a good family dog, especially since they have a pack mentality. They bark to alert but warm up to strangers quickly. They do best with families that are very active or who have access to a lot of land to get the dogs the exercise they need.

The cost of an American English Coonhound from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.