Quick Comparison
| Product | Best For | Est. Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Treeing Walker Coonhound | Best Overall | ~$500-800 | 4.7/5 |
| Black and Tan Coonhound | Best Budget | ~$300-600 | 4.6/5 |
| Bluetick Coonhound | Best Premium | ~$600-1000 | 4.7/5 |
| Redbone Coonhound | Best for Families | ~$500-900 | 4.5/5 |
| American English Coonhound | Best Compact Build | ~$450-800 | 4.6/5 |
Why you should trust this review
Our reviewer has hunted raccoons with multiple coonhound breeds and has spent time at UKC-sanctioned coon hunts evaluating working dogs in competition. We assessed each major coonhound breed on treeing ability, scenting range, cold-nose performance, trainability, and physical endurance through direct field observation, hunter interviews, and evaluation of breed standards from the United Kennel Club and American Kennel Club.
How we tested coon dog breeds
Breed evaluation included direct field observation at night hunts, interviews with experienced coon hunters running multiple breeds, review of UKC hunt competition records, and assessment of breed-specific training resources and hunter community consensus. Each breed was evaluated across varying terrain types (open country, timber, swamp) and scenting conditions.
Who should buy a coon dog?
Serious raccoon hunters, houndsmen building a pack, and hunters transitioning from other game to coon hunting are the core audience. Coonhounds are also excellent dogs for hunters who want a versatile hound capable of trailing and treeing other species (bear, bobcat, mountain lion) in addition to raccoon. Working dog enthusiasts who compete in UKC night hunts or other field events will find the coonhound breeds deeply rewarding.
Treeing Walker Coonhound: the best coon dog for most hunters
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is the most popular coon hunting breed in North America for good reason. It combines elite speed, exceptional scenting ability, and one of the loudest and most distinctive chop mouths in hound hunting. Experienced hunters can identify a Treeing Walker on the tree from hundreds of yards by the pattern and pitch of its bark alone.
Treeing Walkers cover ground fast, which makes them particularly effective in open country and mixed timber. Their willingness to work with handlers and their high trainability make them an excellent choice for hunters who want a dog they can direct and communicate with during a hunt, not just cast and wait.
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Bluetick Coonhound: the best cold-nose specialist
The Bluetick Coonhound’s legendary cold nose is its defining competitive advantage. Blueticks can work scent trails that are hours old, which makes them particularly valuable in pressured hunting areas where coons have been spooked and the track is cold by the time a dog is cast. The deep, bugling hound voice of a Bluetick on a track is one of the most celebrated sounds in coon hunting.
Blueticks trade raw speed for superior scent discrimination. For hunters in tight timber, swamp country, or areas with high coon pressure and older tracks, the Bluetick’s methodical cold-nose work produces results that faster dogs cannot match.
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What to look for in a coon dog
Treeing instinct: The most important quality in a coon dog is the natural drive to follow a track to the tree and bark treed reliably. Some bloodlines show this instinct earlier and more consistently than others. Ask breeders about the treeing history of both parents.
Cold nose versus hot nose: Cold-nose dogs work older, more faded scent trails. Hot-nose dogs need fresh tracks. Match the dog’s scenting style to your typical hunting conditions. If you hunt areas with high pressure where coons are often bumped early, cold-nose breeding is more valuable.
Mouth quality: Coon hunters prize dogs with distinctive, loud mouths they can identify at distance. The ability to distinguish trail bark from tree bark by sound alone is a significant practical advantage at night. Listen to recordings of breed-specific mouth types before selecting a breed.
Physical build for your terrain: Heavy-bodied dogs (Black and Tan, Plott) handle rough terrain and briars well. Lighter-framed faster dogs (Treeing Walker, English Coonhound) cover more open ground. Match physical build to your primary hunting environment.
Trainability for your experience level: Some coonhound bloodlines are more handler-sensitive and require experienced training. Beginners benefit from selecting breeds and bloodlines known for forgiving temperament and cooperative working style with handlers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best coon dog breed for a beginner hunter?+
The Black and Tan Coonhound is widely recommended for beginning coon hunters. It has a naturally strong treeing instinct, a loud and clear tree bark, and a willing-to-please temperament that makes training more forgiving than some other breeds.
What is the difference between a Treeing Walker and a Bluetick Coonhound?+
Treeing Walkers are faster, cover more ground, and are known for an exceptionally loud and distinctive tree bark. Blueticks are slower but have a legendary cold nose, meaning they can work older and colder scent trails that faster dogs might overshoot. Hunters who chase big woods or older tracks often prefer Blueticks.
At what age do coon dogs start hunting?+
Most coonhounds show natural tracking and treeing instinct by 6 months old, but formal hunting training typically begins around 6 to 9 months. Dogs are usually fully hunt-ready by 18 to 24 months after consistent field work and mentoring with an experienced hunting dog.
Can coon dogs be kept as family pets?+
Yes. All six coonhound breeds are affectionate, social, and gentle with families. They require significant daily exercise and mental stimulation given their working dog drive, but they are loyal, patient dogs that do well with children and other dogs.