Black and Tan Coonhound

FCI:

Black and Tan Coonhound - Group VI. - Scenthounds and related breeds, Section 1 - Large sized hounds.

General Appearance:

It is primarily a hunting dog, tenacious, courageous and extremely passionate hunting hound that even today in its country of origin it is mainly used for hunting raccoons, bears. It's powerful, agile and fearless. It works with the same enthusiasm and it is hardy in frost and heat, and in any difficult terrain.

It is characterized by independence, self-confidence, tenacity and excellent sense of smell. It's very lively, fast and active. Because it is absolutely fearless, American trappers use it also for hunting deer, bears, bombs and other large animals. It is successful in chasing, scenting and barking at the prey.

Open and friendly nature it allows to hunt in pack, cooperate closely with other dogs in the pack. Some individuals may be reserved, but it never may be shy or defiant.

It has a warm relationship with the owner and members of his family, and therefore it should not be kept permanently or predominantly in the outdoor kennel. It is loyal and affectionate, but it lacks a bit of effort to ingratiate itself, it has its pride. With more knowledgeable and children it gets well. Dogs are generally tolerated without problems, cats and other pets, dog should be accustomed from an early age, but even then it is necessary extreme caution if  it is with them in immediate contact.

Training/Behaviour:

Due to its intelligence and docility education is not particularly difficult, but the owner must reckon with its self-sufficiency and that will never accept blindly, slavishly obedient. The aim of education is good handling, which can be by proper procedure (consistency) achieved. Significant for this purpose is a close relationship between owner and dog, based on mutual trust and respect.

Education, as well as training, must be kind and absolutely consistent, but they should never be harsh. Parfors (coercive) methods are not possible in any way. They can lead reliably to its betrayed.

Body:

This is a sturdy breed, massive physique, which shall never be too harsh and must always be symmetrical. Body length from the front edge of the shoulder to point of buttock in the pan is equal to or slightly greater than height at withers. Male is from 63.5 to 68.5 cm for females 58 - 63.5 cm, but even the larger size is not harmful if it is proportional physique. Height at withers must conform to the overall appearance. The legs must not be too long or too short. Also important is the adequate strength of the skeleton and tension (tonus) of skeletal muscles. Skeleton and muscle relief often by male is more pronounced than by females.

Nose must be black with open nostrils properly. Eyes are nearly round shape with mixed coloured dark brown or hazel. They should not be too deep in the orbit (sunken).

The earlobes should be set low, at eye level line or slightly below, and quite far back on the head, hanging, long so that when they are stretched forward without the slightest violence reached across his nose. Hang down in elegant folds and their length is the total expression of the head is very important, it has a majestic appearance.

The tail should be strong, set slightly below the topline of the body. It carried gaily, upwards, so that the move forms the axis of the upper line of the body roughly a right angle.

The forelegs should be straight. The hindquarters are muscular, strong bone. From hip to hock joints should be long, wiry, with short strong insteps. The zootechnical positions on a flat surface are hind feet when viewed from the side for the level of back axis and the instep grips with the ground right angle (called back stay position).
Feet are compact ("closed"), with jointed, strongly arched toes and high, durable padded.

The coat is short and dense, coarse by the touch. Colouring must be black with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the sides of the muzzle, the front of the chest, feet and around the anus, with black dots on the upper side of tan-coloured fingers.

The defect is considered significant wrinkles on its head, clearly a scissor bite, yellow or light eyes, ears too short (not reaching the tip of the nose) and / or set high, persistent dewclaws on hind legs, flat or 'open' paws, tannic badges bright, excessively large or too small.

For excluding faulty, as aggression or fearfulness and compact white spot with a diameter greater than 2.54 cm (in any direction) anywhere on the body.