American English Coonhound

Renowned for his speed and endurance, the American English Coonhound has the strength, grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete. Capable of hunting fox and raccoon all night long, he has an effortless trot that shows off this endurance. The breed's hard, protective coat is of medium length and can be red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with ticking, red and white, and white and black.

A Look Back
The American English Coonhound evolved when descendants of English Foxhounds, which were known in the New World as Virginia Hounds, were bred to adapt to rougher terrain. Originally these hounds were used to hunt fox by day and raccoons by night and were named the English Fox and Coonhound. Today's American English Coonhound is a wide-ranging hunter that possesses tremendous speed and excellent voice.


Right Breed for You?
An avid hunter and athlete, the American English Coonhound needs regular exercise and activity to stay in peak shape, although the short coat requires minimal upkeep. The breed is pleasant, alert, confident and sociable with both humans and dogs, possessing a kind, "houndy" expression.


General Appearance
Renowned for speed and endurance, the American English Coonhound has a strong but racy body, a deep chest with plenty of lung room, a strong back, broad loin and well-defined musculature. A balanced, powerful dog with no exaggerated parts, the American English possesses the grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete.

Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-Height-Males-24 to 26 inches at the withers. Females-23 to 25 inches at the withers. Proportion-Measuring from the breast bone to the rear of the thigh and the withers to the ground, the length should be equal or slightly longer than the height measurement. Slightly off square.. Substance-Weight in proportion to height so the dog appears capable of an all night hunt.

Head
The head is broad and of moderate length. Expression-Kind, houndy. Eyes-Dark brown pigmentation, wide apart. Fault: Drooping lids. Ears-Hung rather low, reaching nearly at the end of the nose when drawn out. Fine texture, soft to the touch. Faults: Flat, stiff to the touch cocked. Skull-Very slightly domed, broad between the ears. Fault: Narrow skull. Stop-Prominent. Muzzle-Rather square, well proportioned in width with the skull. Flews covering the lower jaw from the side view. Planes-The stop forms a right angle with the upper line of the muzzle. A line from occiput to brow is a little above, and parallel to a line from eye to nose. Nose-Black. Faults: Pink or white pigmentation. Bite-Scissors bite with upper incisors fitting closely over the lower. Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot.

Neck, Topline, Body
Neck-Muscular, moderate length, fits smoothly into the shoulders and rising with a slight taper to the skull. Carriage-Moderate, reaching slightly forward in the trot. Faults: Neck carried overly high or low. Thickness at shoulders. Topline-Slightly higher at withers than at hips. Strong. Chest- Should reach to the elbow. Shows considerable depth rather than excessive width, allowing optimum lung space. Ribs-Well-sprung with good depth, tapering gradually to floating ribs. Underline and Tuck up-Tight and smooth without exaggeration. Fault: Sagging underline. Back-Muscular, blending well with the neck when the head is held alertly. Fault: Roached. Loin-Broad, well muscled. Tail-Set high, carried gaily but not hooked over back. Medium length, slight brush. Faults: Plume or rat tail.

Forequarters
Shoulders and Angulation-Clean, gradually sloped down from the withers to the point of shoulder, muscular, balanced with body, showing freedom of movement and strength. Fault: Protruding shoulders. Forelegs-Straight from side or front view, well boned, set well apart, muscular. Pastern-Strong and straight. Feet-Set directly under leg, round, catlike, well-padded, strong arch over toes. Nails-Strong.

Hindquarters
Angulation-in balance with the forequarters. Legs-Strong, straight when viewed from the rear. Thigh-muscular without being coarse.

Coat
Hard, protective hair. Medium length.

Color
Red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tri-colored with ticking, red and white, white and black. Disqualifications: Tri-colored with no ticking, solid color with less than 10% ticking, any brindle color.

Gait
Effortless trot, with reach and drive, with tail moving side to side. Gives impression of great endurance. Head carried up, but not perpendicular. Expression is alert.

Temperament
Pleasant, alert, confident and sociable with humans and dogs. An avid hunter. Faults: Shyness or timidity.

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