On January 1, 2012, the Treeing Walker Coonhound moved from the American Kennel Club’s Miscellaneous Class to the Hound Group, bringing the AKC’s family of breeds up to 174. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is the sixth coonhound to become part of the AKC. The others are the American English Coonhound, Plott, Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound.
The English Foxhound, which came to Virginia in 1742, was bred to native Virginian Hounds known for working rough terrain. The resulting litters were dubbed Walker Foxhounds, named for Thomas Walker who was a proponent of the breed. It is also rumored that a dog of unknown origin was bred to Walker Hounds in the 1800s, and this union is said to have evolved into the Treeing Walker Coonhound we know today.
Formerly known as English Coonhounds, in 1945, breeders decided to concentrate on qualities they wanted in their dogs and forego the English version. The modern-day breed is a fast, nimble dog with great trailing abilities and endurance. Their loud bark indicated to hunters that they’d “treed” their quarry.
Measuring 20 to 25 inches at the shoulders for females, and 22 to 27 inches for males, the Treeing Walker Coonhound's weight is proportionate to height and has a tricolor or bicolor coat. He makes an intelligent and sociable family dog requiring minimal grooming, but lots of exercise. His loud howl may make him inappropriate for suburban living.
Read more about the Treeing Walker Coonhound here.