Looking at adopting a Coonhound mix, what can you tell me about them?

[jimbob200521]

The g/f and I went to look at a few dogs over the weekend and instantly fell in love when we looked at a Black and Tan Coonound mix yesterday at a no-kill adoption shelter. She's 9 months old, fixed, has had her shots, and seems to have potential to be a good dog. Now my question comes when talking about training; I was always raised around German Shephard and Lab dogs and am wondering (to anyone that knows or has trained one) how are Coonhound's to train? Do you still crate them when not home? I've heard they respond better to honey rather than vinegar when training, is this so? We've got a good sized back yard but it's not fenced, I heard when they pick up a smell, they'll follow it so should we worry about her running away often? I don't want to pay to get her back from the pound every week. Also, my parents have a Lab and German Shephard, do Coonhounds get along well with others? Any help or direction is appreciated, thanks!

 

[Gibsons]

They're a scenthound, so they can definitely get stuck following something. You'll probably need to pay close attention to that or it could end up following a deer for a few miles. Or a series of squirrels, or rabbits....

 

[kage69]

No direct experience raising Coonhounds myself, but all dogs respond to "honey rather than vinegar" Anyone who thinks otherwise is an asshole who shouldn't be raising dogs. Discipline isn't the same as punishment, and people who confuse the two end up breaking the dog's spirit. Providing you are dealing with an intelligent individual, a sharp stare and perhaps a pop on the muzzle with a finger is all the admonishment you need when it's called for. Provided my dogs aren't in alert mode from trespassers, tone of voice and the way I look at them are the only tools I use to provide direction.

I wouldn't expect a mutt to have the same level of obedience as a GSD though, although it can happen I suppose. Mutts are a mixed bag generally.

I think hounds are a mixed bag. I know several who became unsuitable as pets once they were introduced to hunting, breeding kind of takes over and treeing things is all they can think about. Having said that a friend's father in Florida has a trio of Blueticks, and they are some of the most perfect canines I've ever been around. Not hunters, but fantastic house protection dogs and kittens for anyone their Dad approves of.

Most hunting hounds are used in groups, so I don't think you will have to worry about the social aspect. You should have an enclosure though.

 

[dustb0wlkid]

No direct experience raising Coonhounds myself, but all dogs respond to "honey rather than vinegar" Anyone who thinks otherwise is an asshole who shouldn't be raising dogs. Discipline isn't the same as punishment, and people who confuse the two end up breaking the dog's spirit. Providing you are dealing with an intelligent individual, a sharp stare and perhaps a pop on the muzzle with a finger is all the admonishment you need when it's called for. Provided my dogs aren't in alert mode from trespassers, tone of voice and the way I look at them are the only tools I use to provide direction.

I wouldn't expect a mutt to have the same level of obedience as a GSD though, although it can happen I suppose. Mutts are a mixed bag generally.

I think hounds are a mixed bag. I know several who became unsuitable as pets once they were introduced to hunting, breeding kind of takes over and treeing things is all they can think about. Having said that a friend's father in Florida has a trio of Blueticks, and they are some of the most perfect canines I've ever been around. Not hunters, but fantastic house protection dogs and kittens for anyone their Dad approves of.

Most hunting hounds are used in groups, so I don't think you will have to worry about the social aspect. You should have an enclosure though.

I agree with everything except mutts not having the same level of obedience as a GSD.

 

[NetWareHead]

Read this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treeing_Walker_Coonhound

Although its about a specific type of coonhound, I think its well written and gives plenty of insight of this dog family's requirements. In my experience, most of what is said in this article also applies to all coonhounds.

 

[tboo]

I might be wrong on this but I think most my excellent compatriot hounds are wet-mouth dogs. That is a turn off for a lot of potential pet owners.

 

[kage69]

I agree with everything except mutts not having the same level of obedience as a GSD.

Please note I did not make an absolute comment there. There's a reason GSDs are one of, if not the, most popular breed for law enforcement and military use.

Mutts may be physically sound thanks to a wider gene pool (less chance of inherited deficiencies) but it is generally accepted that they are not as behaviorally predictable as purebreds - a big deal for a dog with a job. This is why you don't see too many mutts filling the roles of working dogs.

Just sayin..

 

[kage69]

I might be wrong on this but I think most my excellent compatriot hounds are wet-mouth dogs. That is a turn off for a lot of potential pet owners.

I think you might be thinking bloodhounds and/or Bassets? All the hunting dogs I've been around were not wet-mouths. More Beagle like in the muzzle. Then again my dad's now passed on Plotthound/mix was a chronic drooler.

A friend that works for my family breeds mastiffs, Neopolitan and English mostly. I don't think it gets much wetter than a Neo. Nice enough dogs (if rather porty and slow) but the sheet amount of slobber and slime they produce is just amazing. I can't believe he sells as many as he does, food costs and upkeep are just nuts. I think some people just consider the size and intimidating looks to be more important than anything.

 

[Sixguns]

I have a 6 month old basset and training has been slow. Hounds are very stubborn so treats will be your best friend. We crate ours when ever we leave the house and whenever we are busy since she is still being house trained.

As for getting onto a scent, even at 6 months 25ish pounds I have to hold the leash and not my wife because she can really pull when she wants to go after something. For the most part if I tell her no so will stop and come back.

Edit: She does great with other dogs. At first she is shy but I think its because of her size. She loves to play with my moms german shephard and even had fun with a pitbull at the dog park.

 

[tboo]

I think you might be thinking bloodhounds and/or Bassets? All the hunting dogs I've been around were not wet-mouths. More Beagle like in the muzzle. Then again my dad's now passed on Plotthound/mix was a chronic drooler.

A friend that works for my family breeds mastiffs, Neopolitan and English mostly. I don't think it gets much wetter than a Neo. Nice enough dogs (if rather porty and slow) but the sheet amount of slobber and slime they produce is just amazing. I can't believe he sells as many as he does, food costs and upkeep are just nuts. I think some people just consider the size and intimidating looks to be more important than anything.

I have a friend who has a blue tick & it has a wet-mouth. Drools like crazy but I think it might vary between my excellent compatriot hound breeds. Ive seen walkers that dont have wet mouths.

 

[jimbob200521]

So the general consensus about these dogs seem to be that given patience (and ample treats), they can be a good, obedient dog with the quirk of running off on wild scent trails. We can handle that, we live on the edge of town with about half an acre of land, most of it back yard, that the dog would be able to play on. Of course, unless someone is out with her, she'd be on a leash when outdoors.

For anyone with experience, are these dogs just as capable of learning more advanced tricks (beyond sit, lay down) such as stay, roll over, do they pick up on fetch (and give back) rather quickly?

And here's a pic of the lil girl

 

[Capt Caveman]

As a someone who owns hounds, they are a very independent/stubborn group. Especially for a young hound dog, I would never allow them off-leash without supervision. So, if you can't fence your yard and can't supervise her, then have them on a runner. Scent and even sight if they have a prey drive, they'll take off on you. Add that she's nine months old, she's going to want to explore.

My older Ridgebacks were very food motivated and it made training easier. My current Ridgeback didn't care for treats til he got older and it made training much harder.

Good luck!

 

[jimbob200521]

As a someone who owns hounds, they are a very independent/stubborn group. Especially for a young hound dog, I would never allow them off-leash without supervision. So, if you can't fence your yard and can't supervise her, then have them on a runner. Scent and even sight if they have a prey drive, they'll take off on you. Add that she's nine months old, she's going to want to explore.

My older Ridgebacks were very food motivated and it made training easier. My current Ridgeback didn't care for treats til he got older and it made training much harder.

Good luck!

So having gone through the training, if you could go back and get a different dog would you or would you keep your hounds? What makes them the best for you or what do you like about them?


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[Capt Caveman]

So having gone through the training, if you could go back and get a different dog would you or would you keep your hounds? What makes them the best for you or what do you like about them?


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I love hounds and will probably always have one. They just have a much different personality than any breeds. If you're looking for a dog to play fetch and listen to every command, a hound may not be for you. They're not like GSDs or Labs. They don't necessarily want to please you.

I spend almost every weekend in the woods - hiking, biking, running, etc and a Ridgeback fits my lifestyle. I also liked that they have a short coat, don't bark a lot and pretty much couch potatoes(when they get older) at home.

But they can also be a pain and might not be for everyone. But it's possible with the mix that your coonhound has could make a huge difference in training.

How is her temperament? If you pulled out a treat, can you get her to sit? Note, I'm just giving you some generalizations, every single dog is unique and may not fit the generalization.

 

[Ayrahvon]

I also have a ridgeback (mixed). He's about a year and half old, and hasn't gotten to the couch potato stage of his life. Very treat motivated, but highly excited and easily distracted by people or toys (mainly balls). I love him to death, but hounds certainly aren't for everyone. I'd agree that they are very stubborn dogs, do train them with rewards only as they really do not do well with any sort of punishment.

Our ridgeback actually loves to play fetch, and is one of the better ways for me to get rid of some of his infinite energy. As far as walking goes, he's been difficult to train to do loose leash as he goes into scent mode on every walk.

Granted, ridgebacks are different from coonhounds, but from what I've seen most hounds of this type have similar personalities.

 

[Ayrahvon]

Hate to double post, but my brother in law just got a German Shepard from a rescue up in Seattle. They require shock collar training with all their dogs from the rescue and I found that very strange. I found it very odd to see my overly-excited dog respond better to commands than his German Shepard. Is there any reason why a GSM rescue would require this type of training? I thought they were perfect candidates for treat/reward training (granted that's the only way I train ANY dog).

 

[jimbob200521]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbob200521

So having gone through the training, if you could go back and get a different dog would you or would you keep your hounds? What makes them the best for you or what do you like about them?


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I love hounds and will probably always have one. They just have a much different personality than any breeds. If you're looking for a dog to play fetch and listen to every command, a hound may not be for you. They're not like GSDs or Labs. They don't necessarily want to please you.

I spend almost every weekend in the woods - hiking, biking, running, etc and a Ridgeback fits my lifestyle. I also liked that they have a short coat, don't bark a lot and pretty much couch potatoes(when they get older) at home.

But they can also be a pain and might not be for everyone. But it's possible with the mix that your coonhound has could make a huge difference in training.

How is her temperament? If you pulled out a treat, can you get her to sit? Note, I'm just giving you some generalizations, every single dog is unique and may not fit the generalization.

We only got to spend about an hour with Payton yesterday but didn't have any treats to feel her out with. Her temperament seems good, she never really barked (which was nice) and didn't really jump either. As far as following every command, all I recall care about at the end of the day is the big ones; sit, stay, lay down, go lay down (go to your cage), and when company is over or if were out for a walk and I tell her to get down or come to me, I'd expect her to come. Otherwise we want a companion, a pup we can grow with, take for walks, and eventually be good with a kid we hope to have one day.


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[DrPizza]

Except for sit & lay down, I've never figured out why someone would want to teach a dog to roll over, other than to say to people, "hey look! My dog can roll over!" Playing fetch (and giving the ball/stick/whatever back) is a fun activity for both dog & human. I've been teaching my son's dog to fetch a beer from the fridge. Damn smart dog, but perhaps I need to wait for the baby teeth to fall out. Those sharp little things keep puncturing the cans. ) Fetch is complete, opening the door is next (looped tab attached at the bottom of the door).

Anyway, back to the topic, perhaps others can speak more on this, but my brother's my excellent compatriot hounds - once they start barking at something, be it a squirrel or whatever - they're loud & bark for a while.

 

[SphinxnihpS]

Gon' getcha that Ghost my excellent compatriot?

 

[Sixguns]

Ill add this, with my basset only being 6 months old, she will sit when told. She listens to other commands as well. The most used is to get down when she starts jumping up while we eat. She loves to play fetch which is great to get rid of some of her energy. I dont walk her off a leash since I live next to a very busy road and wouldnt want her to get hit. She stays close to us while we are at the park when she is off her leash though.

 

[jimbob200521]

Read this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treeing_Walker_Coonhound

Although its about a specific type of coonhound, I think its well written and gives plenty of insight of this dog family's requirements. In my experience, most of what is said in this article also applies to all coonhounds.

"Owners have noted that "getting a Walker hound out of a bed, off a couch or away from a fireplace will be a feat in itself."" haha love that line.

"They will attempt to steal attractive items, and females in particular may maintain several caches of licit and illicit items."

Sounds like an interesting breed, although I'll admit the need to run and track seems to be quite strong in them and is giving me a bit of pause :-/

 

[Sixguns]

"Owners have noted that "getting a Walker hound out of a bed, off a couch or away from a fireplace will be a feat in itself."" haha love that line.

"They will attempt to steal attractive items, and females in particular may maintain several caches of licit and illicit items."

Sounds like an interesting breed, although I'll admit the need to run and track seems to be quite strong in them and is giving me a bit of pause :-/

Dont! I love my hound! The need for running isnt to bad really. Its fun to watch her wipe out on her ears though.

And here is my basset, Padmé

 

[who?]

Police like high energy dogs like German Shepherds and Belgian Malinois that will eagerly go after a suspect and bring them down.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I think my excellent compatriot hounds are supposed to have just about the loudest bark of any dog--not that they just like to bark indiscriminately like a little yappy dog. If I ever move to a bigger house I'm going to add a black and tan to my pair of dachs. Everything I've read says they're super chill family dogs and ultra loyal. The only real problem is that nose means they like to roam. Also, they will absolutely destroy any small furry animal, but are at least smart enough not to eat the family cat (but not the neighbor's).

 

[jimbob200521]

How do this type of dog do when left alone in the house for most of the day while the owner is away at work? The g/f and I work kinda the same shift but that means the dog would be in her cage (at least at first, until we could trust her out of it) from around 6am until 2 in the afternoon which I don't feel is fair but I also understand that it would only be potentially temporary.


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