The Treeing Walker Coonhound is among the most prolific and sensible dog hunters. Its ancestors are American and English Foxhounds. The breed originated in the US, and the United Kennel Club officially recognized it in 1945.
These dogs were primarily bred to hunt raccoons by “treeing” them. They chased them until they climbed a tree and barked at them to reveal their position to the hunters. Let’s learn more about this breed:
- Meet the Sweet Faced Hunter
- The Breed’s Appearance
- Temperament May Vary
- Nutrition — Focus on Meals That Won’t Irritate the Stomach
- Treeing Walker Coonhounds Are Incredibly Healthy
- Grooming — Wash & Wear
- Finding a Treeing Walker Coonhound
Meet the Sweet Faced Hunter
The Tennessee Walker Coonhound is a loveable, big-eyed, floppy-eared lovebug. Its gentle and sweet face will steal your heart and warm your soul. These dogs instantly get along with everyone around them. They just love the attention.
They’re medium-sized dogs, resembling a bigger version of Beagles. They can grow up to 27 inches and weigh between 50 and 70 pounds.
They Were Originally Bred to Track Red Foxes
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was first bred during the Great Depression of the 1930s and 1940s. The dog was in great demand as a Walker Foxhound substitute that could detect and chase foxes for hours, mostly going out of the hunters’ sight.
A Walker Hound named King already showed promising signs of “treeing” raccoons, and Lester Nance, a farmer from Indiana, bought it. He was responsible for getting the breed off the ground.
Nicknamed “The People’s Choice”
The Walker Hound dog is a genuine favorite of all Americans and carries the nickname “The People’s Choice.” And the name goes beyond its adorable appearance. These are well-balanced and athletic dogs that are simultaneously powerful and graceful.
It’s a competitive breed that loves the outdoors and can cover a lot of ground in a single run. Although they’re not professional racers, like other types of hound dogs, Treeing Coonhounds can run incredibly fast.
The AKC’s Breed Declaration
The AKC describes Treeing Walker Coonhounds as smart, brave, and courteous dogs that are incredibly affectionate with family members, children, and other dogs. Also, they’re ideally suited for tracking and treeing wild raccoons during hunts.
The energetic Tree Climbing Coon dog is an alert, active, courteous, and intelligent breed that can excel in competitive events.
The Appearance of the Passionate Hunter
What sets Treeing Coonhounds apart from similar breeds is their “beaglish” appearance, which masks their competitive nature. They have dark brown eyes and soft textured ears that roll to the front.
The Walker dog breed is built to hunt and roam vast fields. Its long legs can cover large distances in a heartbeat. And its tail will wag with excitement at the sight of its owners.
Soft & Shiny Tricolor Fur
The distinctive tricolor fur makes this a unique breed and differentiates it from other Coonhounds. You can often see a black and tan Treeing Walker Coonhound with big spots or blotches rather than tiny specks, also known as ticking.
These dogs have soft and shiny fur that’s relatively short, growing to about half an inch. It’s perfect for harsh weather conditions, and it protects the Treeing Hounds’ skin during hunts. These dogs shed during springtime or fall, so you get ready for extra fur care during that time.
Size & Weight to Out-Fast All
These medium-sized dogs are built to catch game in open fields and forests, so it’s no surprise that they can outrun and outperform other breeds. The ideal Treeing Walker Coonhound weight is around 50–70 pounds, with a height of up to 27 inches.
It’s a highly energetic breed that revels in the great outdoors. These dogs require plenty of open space for running, playing catch, or chasing other animals up trees. Their competitive nature makes them ideal companions to people who love running or hiking competitions.
Temperament May Vary
Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds good family dogs? They are. They’ll get along just fine with everyone in your household, whether they’re hyperactive kids, adults, or seniors.
Walker Coonhounds match their owners’ energy and activity levels. So whether you want to go for a run or read a book, they’ll stay by your side. In that respect, they share the Redbone Coonhound temperament, both energetic and laid back.
Hunting Is in Their DNA
Human hunters love and revere the Walker hunting dog for its “treeing” technique — chasing animals up a tree and barking at them. That alerts the hunter about the prey’s location. The breed gets its name from this characteristic of treeing raccoons.
These dogs are incredibly outgoing and can roam around for hours, chasing their prey. To avoid issues like your dogs running off during walks, you can get dog collars with GPS tracking. This way, you can easily find them as the signal gives their exact location.
Thrive on Adventures
Coonhounds love going on outdoor adventures. While they don’t get overly excited about repetitive games like playing fetch or chasing a ball, Treeing Hounds will utilize every opportunity to run in the open.
They’re the perfect pet for people who love hiking, camping, and the great outdoors. Walker Coonhound puppies also share this thirst for adventure, so be ready to take them with you from their early days.
Friendly & Loving Dogs
Treeing Walkers are amiable and fun-loving dogs with soft and gentle expressions. They love being around their humans and sharing activities.
But are Treeing Walker Coonhounds cuddly? The answer is very much so. They’ll never miss the chance to crawl up to you and give you all their love.
Can Be Loud & Stubborn
They can be challenging to train, especially if you don’t understand how they think and behave. It’s essential to keep training entertaining and give them their personal space.
Independent Thinkers
These dogs are brilliant, eager to learn, and generally easy to train. Remember to keep training lessons fun and reward good behavior with treats and praise.
Ideal for Active Families
These dogs are most suitable for owners who enjoy an active lifestyle, as they like exercising and going on adventures with their humans. If you want a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix, be sure to provide lots of daily exercises, preferably one to two hours.
Nutrition — Focus on Meals That Won’t Irritate the Stomach
Due to their active lifestyle, these Coonhounds require a quality, nutritionally balanced diet. A common practice is giving them two meals a day. You can choose commercially manufactured options or try homemade recipes from JustFoodForDogs. Freshwater is also a must at all times.
If you don’t monitor your dog’s caloric intake and keep overfeeding it, that can result in Treeing Walker Coonhound weight problems like obesity. Provide fresh food that won’t cause stomach irritation or diarrhea. If you’re not sure what to feed your pet, you should consult a licensed veterinarian.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds Are Incredibly Healthy
The Walker hunting dog can live a long and happy life and is generally a healthy breed. You just need to keep up with routine vet checkups. Also, pay attention to their long and flat ears, as they can collect dirt and bacteria, causing infections.
Treeing Walker Coonhound Lifespan
These dogs can live an average of 10–12 years. Coonhounds rarely face any health problems other than common ear infections. As long as you’re careful about nutrition and provide regular checkups, your furry companion should be perfectly fine.
Common Health Issues
Although it’s a relatively healthy breed, the Walker hound dog can still develop issues. With that in mind, the NTWCA recommends regular vet checkups and evaluation of the dogs’ hips, elbows, eyes, and thyroid.
Hip Dysplasia
It’s an orthopedic condition involving the abnormal development of one or both hip joints. If your pet suffers from it, you should research dog beds for joint issues to provide extra comfort and support.
Ear Infections
Coonhounds’ long and flappy ears gather dust, particles, and dirt, so they’re more prone to ear infections than other dogs. One of the best ways to clean your dog’s ears and treat common infections, itches, and ailments is the OTIC Ear Cleaner and Drier.
Grooming — Wash & Wear
We have some good news about grooming your Tree Climbing Coon dog. You don’t have to brush or blow-dry your pet after giving it a bath. Its short coat sheds moderately, so you only have to brush it weekly to remove loose fur.
Finding a Treeing Walker Coonhound
Coonhounds aren’t the most common dogs, so you may have to search for them a bit more than other breeds. But you should check your local rescue shelters first, as adoption is always better than buying.
Adoption From a Rescue Center or Shelter
How much does a Treeing Walker Coonhound cost through adoption? The price is substantially lower than getting one from a breeder. Typically, you’d pay about $150 for the entire adoption process.
Choosing a Breeder
The breeder you choose should have a license and the necessary physical certification copies. They should be able to prove they’ve had the dog checked and cleared for common conditions.
The estimate for getting a Tennessee Walker Coonhound from a reputable breeder is around $600–$6,000. The price depends on the dog’s bloodline and other factors.
Conclusion
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a happy breed with an active temperament. These dogs have a love for outdoor adventures and a natural hunting drive. Also, they make good life companions and faithful friends.
These Coonhounds are easy to groom and fairly easy to train. Also, they’re good around children and adults. If you take them on regular health checkups, they should be by your side for years to come.
