Treeing Walker Coonhound

Treeing Walker Coonhound

A male Treeing Walker Coonhound
Other names	TWC
Common nicknames	Walker
Origin	United States
Traits Weight 35–60 lb (16–27 kg) Male 40–60 lb (18–27 kg) Female 35–50 lb (16–23 kg) Height 20 to 27 inches Male 22 to 27 inches Female 20 to 25 inches Coat Short and dense Color Tricolor, bicolor
Classification / standards AKC Hound standard UKC Scenthound standard
Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris)

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a breed of hound descended from the English and American Foxhounds. The breed originated in the United States when a dog known as "Tennessee Lead", was crossed into the Walker Hound in the 19th century. The Treeing Walker Coonhound was recognized officially as a breed by the United Kennel Club in 1945 and by the American Kennel Club in 2012.

The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to hunt small game, particularly raccoons and opossums. However, some hunters use it for large game such as bear. The breed is vocal with a distinctive bay that allows its owner to identify their hound from great distances. It has a clear, ringing voice that changes to steady chop at the tree.

History

The Treeing Walker Coonhound was developed in the Colonial era from crosses of English Foxhounds. Two breeders from Kentucky, John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin, are given credit for the breed's initial development.^[1] The dogs they bred were referred to as Walker Hounds, and were used to hunt raccoons. In the 1800s, a stolen black and tan dog named Tennessee Lead was crossed into the Walker Hound. Tennessee Lead was of unknown origin, but he greatly influenced the Walker.^[1] The Walker Coonhound, Treeing, was first recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1905 as a part of the English Coonhound breed,^[1] at the request of breeders. The name was later changed to Treeing Walker Coonhound, and it was fully recognized as a separate breed in 1945.^[2] It was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in January 2012, making it the AKC's 174th recognized breed.^[3][4]

Characteristics

Treeing Walker Coonhound on leash

The Treeing Walker Coonhound should give an impression of a working dog. According to the UKC standard, it may stand 20 to 27 inches high at maturity, with weight in proportion.^[2] The AKC standard gives a weight range of 35 to 55 pounds, with males being larger than females.^[5]

The skull should be broad, with a long muzzle and long, hanging ears. Eyes are dark and have a soft expression. All four legs should be straight when viewed from the front or back, with cat-like, compact feet. In conformation shows, blindness or deafness is a disqualification.^[2] The smooth coat is fine and glossy and comes in a tricolor and a bi-color pattern. Tricolor, white with black and tan markings, is preferred, although bicolor dogs, black and white or tan and white, are acceptable.^[2]

The Treeing Walker Coonhound has a clear bay on trail, which should change to a distinct "chop" when treed. Its temperament should be kind but fearless and courageous on the hunt.^[2][6] The Treeing Walker Coonhound is bred primarily for mouth, looks, and ability. It is first and foremost a hunting dog,^[7] although it may be kept as a pet. It is described as affectionate and good with children, but its energy requires an outlet and it must be trained.^[8] The Treeing Walker Coonhound lives an average of 12 to 13 years.^[5]

Temperament

Treeing Walker Coonhounds are loving, intelligent, confident, and enjoy interacting with humans. They make good companion dogs for an owner who understands the characteristics of the breed and is willing to work with their in-bred nature as a hunting dog. On the scent, they are tireless, alert, and intense. At home they are mellow, sensitive lovers of comfort.

Treeing Walker Coonhounds get along well with other dogs and with children. Like most hounds, they are even-tempered and difficult to annoy or drive into aggression towards people or fellow dogs. With training they will coexist with small animals such as cats, despite their nature as a small-game hunter.

A Treeing Walker Coonhound exhibiting "treeing" behavior (the dog pictured is outfitted for a walk, not hunting)

Hunting

Treeing Walker Coonhound, post track.

The Treeing Walker Coonhound's strong tracking instincts make it popular as a hunting dog, primarily for raccoons.^[9] Hunting singly or in packs of two or more, they are used to track and tree raccoons, bobcats,^[10] cougars, and bears. Individual hounds may be adept at catching small rodents such as squirrels, roof rats, opossums, and skunks.

Because of their speed, Treeing Walkers may be used as deer dogs in states where hunting of antlered animals with dogs is legal.^[1]

Although the Walker is best known as a coonhound, it is not as cold-nosed^{[lower-alpha 1]} as other coonhounds. It is the most popular hound for competition hunts, since it will forego an older track for a fresher one, thereby upping the number of raccoons caught in a shorter amount of time.^[1][12][13]

See also

• Coonhound
• Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore
• Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie

Notes

References

Dogs originating in the United States
Extant	Alaskan Husky Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Malamute American Bulldog American Cocker Spaniel American English Coonhound American Foxhound American Hairless Terrier American Pit Bull Terrier American Staffordshire Terrier American Water Spaniel Australian Shepherd Black and Tan Coonhound Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound Black Mouth Cur Blue Lacy Bluetick Coonhound Boston Terrier Boykin Spaniel Carolina Dog Catahoula Bulldog Catahoula Cur Chesapeake Bay Retriever Chinook Cur Feist King Shepherd Kyi-Leo Longhaired Whippet Majestic Tree Hound McNab Miniature American Shepherd Miniature Australian Shepherd Mountain Cur Old Time Farm Shepherd Olde English Bulldogge Plott Hound Rat Terrier Redbone Coonhound Shiloh Shepherd Dog Silken Windhound Stephens Cur Swinford Bandog Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Texas Heeler Toy Fox Terrier Toy Manchester Terrier Treeing Cur Treeing Tennessee Brindle Treeing Walker Coonhound Trigg Hound White Shepherd
Extinct	Hare Indian Dog Hawaiian Poi Dog Salish Wool Dog

External links

• Treeing Walker Coonhound Rarebreeds Article on Treeing Walker Coonhound
• Video and more information on Treeing Walker Coonhounds