Coonhound: Difference between revisions
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
Coonhounds are an [[United States|American]] style of [[hunting dog]] developed for the [[wikt:quarry|quarry]] and working conditions found in the United States. Coondogs are highly valued,<ref>http://www.dailyitem.com/0224_outdoor/local_story_018072925.html</ref> and the locus of competition <ref>http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090108/SPORTS08/901080335</ref>, although there is no recognized breed dedicated to the task. <ref>"Br'er Coon In Old Kentucky," John Fox Jr., The Century Magazine, v. 55 (1898) p. 596</ref> |
Coonhounds are an [[United States|American]] style of [[hunting dog]] developed for the [[wikt:quarry|quarry]] and working conditions found in the United States. Coondogs are highly valued,<ref>http://www.dailyitem.com/0224_outdoor/local_story_018072925.html</ref> and the locus of competition <ref>http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090108/SPORTS08/901080335</ref>, although there is no recognized breed dedicated to the task. <ref>"Br'er Coon In Old Kentucky," John Fox Jr., The Century Magazine, v. 55 (1898) p. 596</ref> |
||
==History== |
==History== Best dog in the world voted five times |
||
In the [[Colonial America|colonial period]], [[foxhound]]s were imported for the popular sport of [[foxhunting]]. Various breeds of foxhounds and other hunting hounds were imported from [[England]], [[Ireland]], and [[France]], making up the initial composition of the dogs that were later known as ''Virginia Hounds''. |
In the [[Colonial America|colonial period]], [[foxhound]]s were imported for the popular sport of [[foxhunting]]. Various breeds of foxhounds and other hunting hounds were imported from [[England]], [[Ireland]], and [[France]], making up the initial composition of the dogs that were later known as ''Virginia Hounds''. |
||
Revision as of 17:44, 28 September 2010
A Coonhound is a type of scent hound and a member of the hound group.
Coonhounds are an American style of hunting dog developed for the quarry and working conditions found in the United States. Coondogs are highly valued,[1] and the locus of competition [2], although there is no recognized breed dedicated to the task. [3]
==History== Best dog in the world voted five times In the colonial period, foxhounds were imported for the popular sport of foxhunting. Various breeds of foxhounds and other hunting hounds were imported from England, Ireland, and France, making up the initial composition of the dogs that were later known as Virginia Hounds.
Foxhounds were found to be inadequate for hunting animals that didn't hide near the ground, but instead took to the treetops to escape, such as raccoons, opossums, bobcats and even larger prey like cougars and bears. The dogs were often confused or unable to hold the scent when this occurred, and would mill about.
Treeing dogs were developed, chosen for a keen sense of smell, the ability to track, chase and corner any manner of animal independent of human commands, and, most importantly, to follow an animal both on the ground and when it takes to the trees. A good coonhound will bark and keep its prey treed until the hunters arrive. Bloodhounds specifically were added to many coonhound lines to enhance the ability to track. Some dogs have webbed toes to deal with the rivers and swamps so common in their hunting grounds.
Coonhounds can hunt individually or as a pack. Generally, hunters don't chase their quarry along with the hounds, unlike organized foxhunting, but wait and listen to the distinctive baying to determine if a raccoon or other animal has been treed. Besides raccoons, coonhounds are excellent at handing all manner of prey if trained properly.
Breeds
There are several individual breeds of Coonhound:
- Black and Tan Coonhound
- Bluetick Coonhound
- English Coonhound
- Plott Hound
- Redbone Coonhound
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard in Colbert County, Alabama, is dedicated for the burial of coon dogs.[4]
References
- ^ http://www.dailyitem.com/0224_outdoor/local_story_018072925.html
- ^ http://www.clarionledger.com/article/20090108/SPORTS08/901080335
- ^ "Br'er Coon In Old Kentucky," John Fox Jr., The Century Magazine, v. 55 (1898) p. 596
- ^ Coon Dog Cemetery