Breed Standard
Head: The head is cleanly modeled. From the back of the skull to the nose the head measures from 9 to 10 inches in males and from 8 to 9 inches in females. Expression is alert, friendly and eager. The skin is devoid of folds. Nostrils well open and always black. The flews are well developed with typical hound appearance.
Ears: Are low set and well back. They hang in graceful folds, giving the dog a majestic appearance. In length they extend naturally well beyond the tip of the nose and are set at eye level or lower.
Eyes: Are from hazel to dark brown in color, almost round and not deeply set.
Body: The neck is muscular, sloping, medium length. The skin is devoid of excess dewlap. The back is level, powerful and b. The dog possesses full, round, well sprung ribs, avoiding flatsidedness. Chest reaches at least to the elbows.
Tail: Is b, with base slightly below level of backline, carried free and when in action at approximately right angle to back.
Coat: As the name implies, the color is coal black with rich tan markings above eyes, on sides of muzzle, chest, legs and breeching, with black pencil markings on toes.
Hair: Short but dense to withstand rough going.
Size: Measured at the shoulder--Males 25 to 27 inches; females 23 to 25 inches. Oversized dogs should not be penalized when general soundness and proportion are in favor.
History
The Black and Tan is descended from the Talbot hound, found in medieval England after the eleventh century. Its ancestry is then traced through the Bloodhound and the Foxhound to the Virginia Foxhound, commonly called the "Black and Tan Coonhound".
In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound became the only one of the six varieties of Coonhound to be recognized in the Hound Group by the American Kennel Club. The Redbone Coonhound and the Plott Hound have since been recognized in the Miscellaneous Class. The other three varieties of Coonhound are the Bluetick Coonhound, the English Coonhound, and the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
Behavior
The Black and Tan makes a suitable pet: it is mellow, amiable, calm, and unobtrusive indoors; outdoors, its strong hunting instinct takes over and it can be difficult to turn it from tracking after it starts trailing. As befitting a dog with its heritage, it is strong, independent, and stubborn. The Black and Tan is gentle and tolerant with children, but it may be too independent to satisfy a playful child. It is reserved with strangers and in their presence may bay and howl. The Black and Tan can run for miles although it is usually content with a moderate jog or long walk, with an occasional excursion into the field. It can wander if it catches a scent, so a safe area is mandatory.
They are not suited to apartment life and require regular brushing.
Function
Hunting Dog.
Health
Generally healthy, but there is some risk of hip dysplasia, ear cancer and other ear infections, and eye problems.
