Breed At A Glance

Classification
Hound

Personality
Sociable, eager to please, loves to work

Life Expectancy
12-13 years

Average Height
20-27 inches

Average Weight
50-70 lbs

Coat Color
White, black and tan in bi-color and tri-color combinations

Coat Length/Texture
Short and smooth

Shedding Propensity
Consistent year round

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Also known as Tree Walker Coonhound

General Temperament
Although some may be high strong, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a loving companion pet with exemplary hunting skills. Athletic and energetic, they enjoy being a part of an active household where they will have plenty of stimulation, but they are also extremely affectionate and love to cuddle with their human family members on the couch. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are enthusiastic and tireless hunters and often excel in Coonhound field trials.

Treeing Walker Coonhounds are good pets for children, particularly older considerate children. They also enjoy the company of other dogs. But due to their strong hunting instincts, they will usually see smaller household pets (such as cats) as prey.

Intelligent with a strong desire to please, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is typically easy to train. They often learn by example and retain the skill from then on. But as with most breeds, training and socialization should start early in the dog’s life. A dedicated hunter, the Treeing Walker Coonhound will “follow it’s nose” with reckless abandon, which can put the dog in serious danger (such as when the dog wanders into traffic).

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is an extremely active breed that needs inordinate amounts of exercise. They are therefore not well-suited for apartment life. They will be happiest in a home with acreage where they can have plenty of room to roam. TWC’s are at their best when they have a job to do and will enjoy life as a hunter’s companion.

Breed History
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was developed in the United States as a descendent of the English Foxhound. Thomas Walker imported the English Foxhound into Virginia late in the 18th century, and introduced a local dog of unknown origin into his breeding program. These “Walker Hounds” were originally classified as English Coonhounds, but breed enthusiasts broke away from this classification in the mid-20th century.

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is currently a part of the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service.

Body Structure and Composition
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a lithe and well-balanced breed. The head is in proportion to the body, flanked by pendulous ears that are moderately long and lay flat against the face. This breed’s lightweight neck leads down to muscular shoulders and a deep chest. The long slightly sloping back ends in a tail that is strong at the base and tapers, carried in a saber-like appearance. Both the fore legs and hindlegs are well-muscled without appearing bulky.

Medical Information
The Treeing Walker Coonhound appears to be a relatively healthy dog plagued by few hereditary diseases, although statistical information is limited due to the breed’s relatively short ancestry. Hip Dysplasia may be of issue with a limited number of lines, and occurs when the head of the thigh bone no longer fits into the cup provided by the hip socket, resulting in lameness and arthritis-like symptoms.

The coat of the Treeing Walker Coonhound is easy to maintain: an occasional brushing will do the trick. Check this breed’s ears after a day in the field to help prevent infestation or infection.

Anecdotal Information
Coming Soon