The Treeing Walker Coonhound: A Loyal and Active Companion
History:
Originally bred in the United States, the Treeing Walker Coonhound was developed from the early English Foxhounds. The breed is known for its exceptional hunting skills – specifically tracking and treeing raccoons. In 1945, the Treeing Walker Coonhound was officially recognized as a distinct breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Physical Appearance:
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are medium to large-sized dogs that weigh between 45-80 pounds and stand at a height of 20-27 inches tall at the shoulder. They have short, smooth coats that come in black, white or tan colorations. Their eyes are dark brown with an alert expression.
Temperament:
This breed is well-known for their loyalty, intelligence, and enthusiasm towards life. They enjoy being active outdoors but can also be content indoors when they receive enough exercise throughout their day. Being hunting dogs means that this breed can have strong instincts to hunt small animals so training early on will ensure they don’t act on these impulses.
Health Problems:
As with any dog breed there are some common health issues seen in Treeing Walker coonhounds such as hip dysplasia which can lead to joint problems; ear infections due to larger than average ears trapping moisture inside; skin irritations like allergies caused by food or environment; eye disease which may lead to blindness if not treated properly.
Exercise Requirements:
These energetic hounds require daily exercise both physical (walks/runs) mental stimulation (training sessions or puzzle games). Consistent training should begin as soon as you bring home your puppy! This intelligent dog thrives when given opportunities to learn new tricks or participate in athletic activities – you’ll find most love hiking adventures!
Special Grooming Needs:
Their smooth coat requires minimal grooming beyond weekly brushing to remove dead hair while avoiding matting. Bathing should only be done when necessary to avoid stripping their coat of natural oils. Pay special attention to the ears, and clean them regularly to prevent infection.
Training:
Positive reinforcement methods work best for this breed, they are intelligent and eager to please making it an enjoyable experience for both dog and owner! Starting with basic obedience training from puppyhood is crucial, continuing on with more advanced training in areas like hunting or agility can help keep your pet active as they grow older.
Compatibility with Children/Pets:
This friendly breed generally does well around children if introduced properly at a young age. Early socialization with other pets will also help ensure peaceful coexistence in households including other animals
Personality Quirks:
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are not shy about showing their affectionate side towards people but may have a tendency towards obsessiveness – once they catch the scent of something interesting outside you might just find them very focused on getting outside!
Famous Examples:
There aren’t many famous examples in popular culture, however, there was a Treeing Walker Coonhound named “Tennessee Lead” who won numerous awards in coonhound field trials during 1970s-80s.
In conclusion, the Treeing Walker Coonhound makes for an enthusiastic companion that thrives when given opportunities to exercise its body and mind through physical activities or mental stimulation via interactive toys/training sessions. If given enough exercise & proper training this loyal breed can make excellent family companions due to their friendly nature toward children & smaller pets – just watch out for those prey drive instincts!