Treeing Walker Coonhound

This popular American hunting breed was initially developed in the late 1700's by John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin of Kentucky using a strain of working dogs established by Thomas Walker known as Virginia Hounds at the time as the foundation for what eventually became the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

It is unclear what other breeds were used, but English and American Foxhounds, as well as a variety of local hunting dogs and even a mysterious stolen dog believed by some to had either been an old Anglo-American bulldogge or a bull-n-terrier type crossdog named "Tennessee Lead" are thought to had played a role in the Walker Hound's development. The process of establishing the breed type lasted for nearly 200 years, but this wonderful American hound has remained classified as just a variant of the English Coonhounds until the end of the 2nd World War, when UKC finally decided to appease the Walker Coonhound breeders and fanciers by recognizing it as a separate American breed in 1945.

The "treeing" part of the breed's name refers to the way the Walker hunts, supposedly meaning that it instinctively chases possums, raccoons and other game towards a tree and barking incessantly to prevent the hunted animal from climbing down, thus making it an easy kill for the huntsmen. The breed is also famous for its tree-climbing abilities and although it is most commonly employed for hunting raccoons, the Treeing Walker Coonhound has also been used to hunt deer, wild boars, bears, bobcats, hares and foxes, thanks to its speed, tenacity and gameness, as well as its great courage and stamina. While it is best-suited for working homes, the breed can make an agreeable pet, as long as it is socialized properly and provided with plenty of exercise, both physical and mental.

Although it is appreciated for being quite intelligent, loyal and trainable, as well as having a friendly disposition towards people, the Walker is also somewhat infamous for its reported inability to co-exist with cats and is said to inherently pose a serious threat to practically all non-canine animals it may stumble upon. Equally as impressive as a pack hound or a single hunter, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is greatly prized for its versatility which in the eyes of its fanciers places it above most other breeds of the type.

Large, muscular and strongly boned, the Walker is a functional, athletic and rugged dog, with clean, sloping shoulders and a deep chest, a somewhat long and straight back and straight and sturdy legs. The neck is moderately long and powerful, without appearing thick and allowing minimal looseness of the skin on the throat. The head is fairly broad, with a reasonably pronounced stop, a square muzzle and well-developed jaws, while retaining an elegant look. The ears are low-set, pendulous and medium in size. The tail is long, set high and carried slightly curved forward.

The coat is short and smooth to the touch, while being quite dense and hard. There are a few coat colourings encountered in the working population of Walker Hounds, but a well-marked tricolour appearance consisting of white, black and tan markings is preferred. Average height is around 25 inches, but quite a bit taller, as well as much smaller examples exist.