The Treeing Walker Coonhound gained recognition as an independent dog breed in the mid 1940s. The breed is an offshoot of the Tennessee Lead, a dog whose origins cannot be traced, and the Walker Hound. It is a direct descendant of the English Foxhounds imported by Thomas Walker of Virginia in 1974.

The foxhounds were said to have been imported to Virginia in Walker’s attempt to establish the infamous foxhunting tradition of the Englishmen in the New World. However, foxhunting did not become a tradition until a few years later. Treeing Walker Coonhounds chase and catch raccoons, roof rats, squirrels, skunks, opossums, bobcats, cougars, and even bears.

Coonhounds are born hunters. When trained well, they will learn to howl in a distinctive manner that will tell its human hunting companion that their prey has been cornered and that the chase is almost over. Because hunting is natural to them, they can be really good at it but they cannot be the best urban or suburban companions.

Coonhounds are naturally affectionate and are completely efficient aside from being unstoppable and untiring. They are natural athletes and are a lover of warm climates and they love to run around and swim. Agility is one of their most remarkable traits so you would rarely see them lying around to sunbathe or take naps.

Average people would often mistake Walker Coonhounds for oversized beagles. Their shoulders are sturdy, legs lean and straight; their coats are of two or three colors and are typically short and smooth. Body width is usually at 20-28 inches and weight is at around 50-70 pounds and their ears are larger than their heads.

Coonhounds become restless when they lack physical and mental exercise. Owners thus have to make time taking them to walks or to a dog park where they can play and run around. Because they are lovers of the outdoor and outdoor activities, they are not very suitable for life in apartments.

Training Walker Coonhounds are good companions aside from being excellent working and hunting dogs. Although they are fast learners and can catch tricks and routines through examples, they can ignore their trainers to follow their noses at times. As scent hounds, they have an excellent sense of smell and they have distinctive howls so they can be easily identified by their owners.

The average life span of Treeing Walker Coonhounds is at 12 to 13 years. Although they are not prone to major health issues, their ears should be regularly checked and cleaned to prevent infection. They also have to be bathed occasionally and the need for grooming is minimal for this particular dog breed.

Related posts:

1. Black and Tan Coonhound (Hound Group)
2. Want to Learn How to Attract Hummingbirds to Your Garden?
3. Taking Care of your Cat: Learn How to Do It Right
4. Blackmouth Cur: The Multi-Purpose Dog That Hailed From the Different States Of The US
5. The Chow Chow