July 9th is Coon Dog Day! Coon dogs—or Coonhounds, as they are also known—may not be as popular as other breeds, but that’s even more reason to celebrate these wonderful pups. There are six types of Coonhounds, and they are all very good boys in our book. A local Fayetteville, NC vet discusses these intelligent, loyal pups below.

Black And Tan Coonhound

Friendly, sociable, and energetic, Fido has droopy ears and very sweet, soulful eyes. He is on the large side, and can weigh up to about 110 pounds. As the name suggests, these guys have black fur with tan markings. Originally bred to hunt raccoons, they excel at night hunting. They need lots of exercise and stimulation, and really need to run and play outside.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

These brave, devoted pups are known for their ability to chase prey up trees and then call their humans. However, they are also wonderful pets, and can even cohabitate with cats if properly trained. They’re very energetic and sociable, and make great trail mates for those who enjoy hiking.

Redbone Coonhounds

The Redbone Coonhound can trace his origins to Scottish settlers, who hunted raccoons for meat. Fido is also a redhead, as the name suggests. These pups are excellent trackers, though they do have a tendency to run off. They’re also more long-lived than other coonhounds, and can live up to 15 years.

American English Coonhound

The American English Coonhound—also sometimes called the Redtick Coonhound—is known for speed, endurance, and loyalty … as well as a unique ability for climbing trees. Fido has lighter grooming needs than most coonhounds. (Bonus: he’s not very slobbery, either.)

Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound has the distinction of being the oldest coonhound, as they have been around since colonial times. Lovable, happy, and affectionate, these guys are unique in that they both have a strong prey drive and also get along great with other pets. However, they do need lots of walks and playtime, and are definitely not a dog for someone who likes staying indoors a lot.

Plott Coonhound

The Plott Coonhound is the only coonhound that cannot trace his ancestry back to the UK. They are very obedient, loyal, and friendly, and are probably the least likely to run off in search of squirrels and/or adventure.

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