The Treeing Walker is a popular breed of coonhound, known for its exceptional hunting abilities and friendly demeanor. They were originally bred in the United States in the 18th century.
This breed is a cross between the English Foxhound and the Foxhound, with a strong focus on hunting small game. They are highly energetic and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.
Treeing Walkers are known for their distinctive howl, which they use to locate and track their prey. They are also highly intelligent and trainable, making them a great addition to active families.
Their short coats require minimal grooming, but they do need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning to stay in top condition.
Breed History
The Treeing Walker Coonhound breed has a rich history that dates back to the colonial era in the United States. The breed's foundation stock was a mix of Walker Hounds, Virginia Hounds, and other coonhound varieties.
The English Foxhound, imported for fox hunting, played a significant role in the development of the Treeing Walker Coonhound. Breeders selected and bred their hounds for exceptional tracking ability and stamina.
In 1945, the Treeing Walker Coonhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) as a distinct breed. It was classified within the UKC's coonhound group.
The breed's development continued in the southern United States, where it became popular among coon hunters who valued its keen sense of smell and tireless work ethic. The Treeing Walker Coonhound's friendly nature and affectionate disposition have also made it a cherished companion for many.
A pioneering breeder, Lester Nance, helped get the Treeing Walker breed off the ground in the 1930s with a Walker hound named King, who showed promise at treeing raccoons.
Physical Characteristics
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a medium-sized breed with a muscular build, perfect for hunting. They stand between 20-27 inches tall at the shoulder, with males being slightly taller than females.
Their weight varies between 40-70 pounds, depending on their sex, with males weighing more than females. A healthy Treeing Walker Coonhound should have a short, glossy coat that's tricolored in white, black, and tan.
Here are some key physical characteristics of the Treeing Walker Coonhound:
- Height: Males 22-27 inches, Females 20-25 inches
- Weight: Males 50-70 pounds, Females 40-60 pounds
- Coat: Short, glossy, and tricolored in white, black, and tan
- Ears: Long and droopy, set high on the head
- Body: Muscular and athletic, with a deep chest and strong legs
Highlights
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are known for their exceptional tracking abilities, making them a popular choice for hunting game like raccoons.
Their sleek and athletic build allows them to move quickly and easily, combining speed and agility.
These dogs are spirited and energetic, requiring regular exercise and outdoor activities to keep them happy and healthy.
A friendly and social temperament makes them an excellent choice for families with children or for owners who have other pets.
Their short coat requires minimal grooming efforts, making them a practical choice for busy owners.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are intelligent and trainable, responding well to positive reinforcement methods.
Here are some key highlights of their physical characteristics:
- Exceptional tracking abilities
- Sleek and agile build
- Lively and energetic temperament
- Friendly and social
- Short coat, low-maintenance grooming
- Intelligent and trainable
Size
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a medium to large-sized breed, and their size is one of their most distinctive features. Males stand 22 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller, ranging from 20 to 25 inches.
The weight of a Treeing Walker Coonhound varies depending on their sex, with males weighing between 50 to 70 pounds and females weighing between 40 to 60 pounds.
Here's a breakdown of the breed's size:
Physical Appearance
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a medium to large-sized breed with a sleek, athletic build. Their height varies by sex, with males standing 22-27 inches tall and females standing 20-25 inches tall.
Their weight also differs between males and females, with males weighing 50-70 pounds and females weighing 40-60 pounds. This size range makes them well-suited for hunting and outdoor activities.
The breed's coat is short, dense, and glossy, typically tricolored with a black saddle or blanket on the back and white markings on the legs, chest, and face. The third color is usually tan or brown, appearing on the head, ears, and legs.
Their head is long and narrow with a slightly domed skull, and their ears are set high on the head and are long and droopy. The breed has a strong, straight muzzle and a black nose.
Here's a breakdown of the breed's physical characteristics:
Their eyes are medium-sized, dark brown, and have a friendly and alert expression. The breed's body is muscular and athletic, with a deep chest and strong, straight legs. They have a slightly curved tail that is carried high when the dog is alert or excited.
Temperament and Personality
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a breed that's all about enthusiasm and energy. They approach every task with a never-give-up attitude and a strong drive to track and tree prey.
Their intelligence and problem-solving abilities make them adept at overcoming challenges in the field, and they're also highly trainable with positive reinforcement methods.
Treeing Walkers are sociable and affectionate dogs that form deep bonds with their human companions and thrive on being part of a close-knit pack. They're friendly and outgoing, often displaying a gentle and accepting demeanor towards household pets and even strangers.
These dogs will match your activity level, so if it's time to read a book or watch TV, they'll lay or sit with you, but if it's playtime, they'll be up for that too.
Treeing Walkers are smart and eager-to-please, happy to live with bigger families or just one other person. However, they do benefit from structure in their lives, especially in their first year, with a loose schedule for meal times, playtime, and other activities.
Here are some key personality traits associated with the Treeing Walker Coonhound:
- Friendly: They're highly social and love spending time with people, making them poor guard dogs.
- Loyal: They form strong bonds with their human family and are fiercely devoted to their owners.
- Energetic: They have a high energy level and require plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy.
- Intelligent: They're highly intelligent and eager to please, responding well to positive reinforcement training methods.
- Independent: They have a strong independent streak and can be quite stubborn at times.
- Vocal: They're a vocal breed, known for their distinctive "bay" or "bawl" when on the hunt.
- Affectionate: They love to be around people and enjoy cuddling with their owners.
As a breed, Treeing Walkers are naturally curious and love to explore their surroundings, which can sometimes get them into trouble if they're not properly supervised. However, with the right training and socialization, they can thrive in a variety of living situations.
Care and Maintenance
Treeing Walker Coonhounds require regular exercise to burn off their abundant energy, so daily activities like brisk walks, jogging, or playtime in a securely fenced yard are essential.
They also need mental stimulation through interactive games, puzzle toys, or obedience training sessions to prevent boredom and destructive behavior.
Socialization is key, as they are typically sociable dogs and need early and ongoing exposure to various people, animals, and environments to develop into well-rounded companions.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming, with a short, smooth coat that repels mud and dirt. They only need occasional bathing and weekly brushing to remove loose hair.
Regular nail trimming, typically monthly, is also necessary to prevent overgrowth, discomfort, and potential injury.
Here's a quick rundown of their grooming needs:
Health
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are generally healthy dogs, but like any breed, they can be prone to certain health issues. Regular veterinary care, a nutritious diet, exercise, and proper grooming are essential for their well-being.
Hip dysplasia is a common issue in Treeing Walker Coonhounds, an abnormal hip joint formation that can lead to discomfort, lameness, and arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight, providing regular exercise, and proper nutrition can help reduce the risk and severity of hip dysplasia.
Ear infections are another potential problem, caused by moisture and debris getting trapped in their long, pendulous ears. Regular ear cleaning and keeping the ears dry can help prevent infections.
Eye conditions, such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) or cataracts, can affect a Treeing Walker Coonhound's vision. Regular eye examinations by a veterinarian can help identify and manage these conditions.
The NTWCA recommends evaluating a Treeing Walker Coonhound's hips, elbows, eyes, and thyroids. As a responsible owner, it's essential to ask your breeder about your puppy's health and that of her parents.
By following these health guidelines and staying on top of regular veterinary care, you can help your Treeing Walker Coonhound live a long and healthy life.
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Care
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming, but they do need regular ear cleaning to prevent infections.
They require daily exercise to stimulate their physically and mentally, with at least 60-90 minutes of exercise each day. This can include walks, runs, hikes, or other forms of physical activity.
Socialization is equally important, as they are typically sociable dogs. Early and ongoing exposure to various people, animals, and environments can help them develop into well-rounded companions.
To ensure their overall health, regular veterinary care, a nutritious diet, exercise, and proper grooming are essential. They may be prone to specific health issues, such as hip dysplasia, ear infections, and eye conditions.
Here's a quick rundown of their nutritional needs:
- Recommended daily amount: 1 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals
- Monitor food and treat amounts to prevent weight gain
- Regular dental hygiene is important, with teeth brushing recommended to maintain healthy gums and prevent dental issues
By following these care and maintenance tips, you can help your Treeing Walker Coonhound live a happy and healthy life.
Grooming
The Treeing Walker Coonhound's grooming needs are relatively low-maintenance, which is great news for busy owners.
Their short, smooth coat repels mud and dirt, so occasional bathing or just wiping with a damp towel or glove is plenty to keep them shiny.
Weekly brushing will help remove any loose hair, and it's also a good time to inspect those floppy ears for any signs of wax buildup.
You don't want wax to build up and cause an infection, so a quick wipe with a tissue will keep them clean and healthy.
Regular nail trimming is essential to prevent overgrowth, discomfort, and potential injury, and monthly trimming is usually adequate, but individual dogs may require more or less frequent trimming based on their activity level and nail wear.
All dogs require regular dental care, including at-home teeth brushing and professional dental cleanings, and the Treeing Walker Coonhound is no exception.
Maintaining good dental hygiene is important for their overall long-term health, so don't forget to brush those teeth!
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Living Situation
Treeing Walker Kennels require a spacious living situation to thrive. They need room to move around and exercise.
The ideal living situation for a Treeing Walker Kennel is a house with a large yard. This allows them to run around and get the exercise they need.
Treeing Walker Kennels are relatively small in size, but they still need plenty of space to roam. A yard with a secure fence is a must to prevent escape attempts.
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Living Needs
Your Treeing Walker coonhound can thrive in a variety of living situations, from a rural home to a suburban house or even a city apartment.
You'll need to ensure your dog gets enough exercise outside, especially if you live in an apartment. 20-30 minutes of daily play and activity will suffice, which can be a walk around the block or playing in a fenced-in yard or at the dog park.
A Treeing Walker coonhound will happily accompany you on a hike or for a refreshing swim, which is great exercise for both your dog's body and mind.
Without activity, your dog might end up bored and overweight, so make sure to schedule regular playtime.
Socializing your Treeing Walker puppies is crucial to ensure they coexist peacefully with other pets.
Children and Pets
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are a great choice for families with kids, as they're known to be friendly and sociable, forming strong bonds with children of all ages.
Supervision is crucial when interacting with young children to ensure mutual respect and avoid accidental mishaps.
They're generally gentle and playful, making them suitable companions for kids.
However, due to their prey drive, they may struggle with cats and other small pets like rabbits and gerbils.
Early introductions, positive reinforcement, and gradual acclimation can help facilitate smooth integration with other pets.
Each dog has its own unique personality, so proper introductions and ongoing monitoring are essential to ensure compatibility and a harmonious living environment for all.
With proper socialization, training, and supervision, Treeing Walker Coonhounds can make loving and friendly companions for children and coexist well with other pets.
Breed Group and Traits
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a Hound, bred for its exceptional hunting abilities. This breed group is known for their strong instincts and energetic nature.
Their physical traits are built for the hunt, with a medium-sized body and powerful hind legs. Their smooth, glossy fur is short but built for protection and repels dirt and mud.
Breed Group
The Breed Group is a way to categorize dogs based on their original purpose and characteristics.
Hounds, for example, are bred for hunting and tracking, making them great at sniffing out game.
If you're wondering what breed group your dog falls into, you can check out Wisdom Panel's DNA tests.
Some Hounds, like the Treeing Walker Coonhound, are known for their exceptional tracking abilities and strong prey drive.
Traits
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a medium-sized dog with a body built for the hunt. Their smooth, glossy fur is short but built for protection and repels dirt and mud.
They have powerful hind legs and well-muscled thighs, ready to propel them on to their next catch. This breed is known for its exceptional sense of smell, stamina, and agility.
The Treeing Walker Coonhound was bred to be a hunting dog, specifically for tracking and treeing small game, such as raccoons, squirrels, and possums. They are ideal hunting companions for hunters in the southern United States.
Their ability to locate and tree game in difficult terrain and under adverse weather conditions makes them a prized breed among hunters.
Sources
- https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/treeing-walker-coonhound
- https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/treeing-walker-coonhound
- https://www.wisdompanel.com/en-us/dog-breeds/treeing-walker-coonhound
- https://blog.tryfi.com/treeing-walker-coonhounds/
- https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/treeing-walker-coonhound/
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