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Treeing Walker Coonhound

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Treeing Walker Coonhound
A male Treeing Walker Coonhound
Other namesTWC
Common nicknamesWalker
OriginUnited States
Traits
Height Males 22 - 27 inches
Females 20 - 25 inches
Weight Males 50–70 lb (23–32 kg)
Females 50–70 lb (23–32 kg)
Coat Short and dense
Color Tricolor, bicolor
Kennel club standards
United Kennel Club standard
Dog (domestic dog)

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 stolen dog known as "Tennessee Lead" was crossed into the Walker Hound in the 19th century.[1] 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 primarily to hunt raccoons, but it is also used on other game such as deer, bears, bobcats or cougars. 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 a steady chop at the tree. Treeing Walker Coonhounds tend to do best in working homes.

History

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The Treeing Walker Coonhound was developed in the Colonial era from crosses of English Foxhounds. John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin, two breeders from Kentucky, which was then part of Virginia, are given credit for the breed's initial development.[2] 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.[2] The Walker Coonhound, Treeing, was first recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1905 as a part of the English Coonhound breed,[2] 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.[3] It was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in January 2012, making it the AKC's 174th recognized breed.[4][5]

Characteristics

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Treeing Walker Coonhound on leash

The Treeing Walker Coonhound may 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.[3] The common weight range is 50 to 70 pounds, with males being larger than females.[6][7]

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.[3] 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 bi-color dogs, black and white or tan and white, are acceptable.[3]

The Treeing Walker Coonhound has a clear bay on the trail, which should change to a distinct "chop" when treed. Its temperament should be kind but fearless and courageous on the hunt.[3][8] The Treeing Walker Coonhound is bred primarily for the mouth, looks, and ability. It is first and foremost a hunting dog,[9] 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.[10] The Treeing Walker Coonhound lives an average of 12 to 13 years. [7]

Temperament

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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. [citation needed]

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

Hunting

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Treeing Walker Coonhound, post-track

The Treeing Walker Coonhound's strong tracking instincts make it popular as a hunting dog, primarily for bear, cougar, and bobcats.[11] Hunting solo or in packs of two or more, they are used to track and tree raccoons, bobcats,[12] cougars, and bears. Individual hounds may be adept at catching small animals such as squirrels, black rats, opossums, and skunks.

Because of their speed, Treeing Walker Coonhounds may be used as deer-hunting dogs in states where hunting of antlered animals with dogs is legal.[2]

Although the Treeing Walker is best known as a coonhound, it is one of the most cold nosed dogs around[a] and is the most popular hound for competition coon hunts.[2][14][15] The treeing walker hound is one of the most popular because it is best known for speed, its cold nose and intelligence, and also for not being an aggressive like the Plott. Their cold nose and intelligence makes them much better for bobcat and cougar hunting, since these animals are normally harder to track than a bear or raccoon.

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ In hunting terminology, a fresh track is "hot" and an older track is "cold".[13]

References

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  1. ^ "The Maupins, the Walkers, and Tennessee Lead". 20 November 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Vickie Lamb (22 September 2015). The Ultimate Hunting Dog Reference Book. Skyhorse. ISBN 9781634504621. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Standard for the Treeing Walker Coonhound". United Kennel Club Standard. Archived from the original on 30 July 2016. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
  4. ^ American Kennel Club. "Treeing Walker Coonhound Dog Breed Information". Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  5. ^ Skarda, Erin (25 January 2012). "New Dog Breeds: Treeing Walker Coonhound Is Newest AKC Member - TIME.com". TIME.com. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. ^ "Treeing Walker Coonhound Dog Breed Information - Continental Kennel Club". ckcusa.com. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  7. ^ a b Vito, Dominique De; Russell-Revesz, Heather; Fornino, Stephanie (2009). World Atlas of Dog Breeds, 6th ed. p. 866. ISBN 978-0-7938-0656-0.
  8. ^ "Rare Breed Network: Treeing Walker Coonhound Standard". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  9. ^ Ahring, Curt. "Treed.tv". 314-315-6650. Archived from the original on 2019-01-01. Retrieved 2011-06-27.
  10. ^ "Best In Show Daily". Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  11. ^ "The Westminster Kennel Club - Breed Information: Treeing Walker Coonhound". Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  12. ^ "Field & Stream". 1 November 1971 – via Google Books.
  13. ^ Yellow Dogs, Hushpuppies, and Bluetick Hounds. Univ of North Carolina Press. 2 July 2014. ISBN 9780807868188. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  14. ^ "Hunting Deer with Dogs [Adopt, Train and Hunt]". IBC7 Outdoors. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  15. ^ Successful Dog Breeding. American Kennel Club. 1994. ISBN 9780876057407. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
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