American English Coonhound

American English Coonhound

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The American English Coonhound is a breed of dog that can be compared to a well-conditioned athlete. Its head is broad with a very slightly domed skull. Its ears hang rather low, reaching nearly at the end of the nose when drawn out and an expression that can be best described as kind and houndy. The coat is a medium length, hard, protective hair with a deep chest, strong back and broad loin without any exaggerated parts. 

It moves effortlessly with its head carried up and alert, a true picture of great endurance, strength and vigor. Originally named as the English Fox and Coonhound, the American English Coonhound traces its origin to England as a descendant of the English Foxhound. Through careful breeding practices, the Americans adapted this breed to American game, terrain and climate.

Renowned for speed and endurance, the American English Coonhound has a strong but racy body, a deep chest with plenty of lung room, a strong back, broad loin and well-defined musculature. A balanced, powerful dog with no exaggerated parts, the American English possesses the grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete.

Size, Proportion, Substance – Size-Height-Males-24 to 26 inches at the withers. Females-23 to 25 inches at the withers. Proportion-Length should be equal or slightly longer than the height measurement. Rectangular. Substance-Weight in proportion to height.

Head – The head is broad.Expression-Kind, houndy. Eyes-Dark brown pigmentation, wide apart. Fault: Drooping lids. Ears-Hung rather low, reaching nearly at the end of the nose when drawn out. Fine texture, soft to the touch. Faults: Flat, stiff to the touch cocked. Skull-Very slightly domed, broad between the ears. Fault: Narrow skull. Stop-Prominent. Muzzle-Rather square, well proportioned in width with the skull. Flews covering the lower jaw from the side view. Plains-The stop forms a right angle with the upper line of the muzzle. Nose-Black. Faults: Pink or white pigmentation. Bite-Scissors. Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot.

Neck, Topline and Body – Neck-Muscular, moderate length, rising with a slight taper. Carriage-Moderate. Faults: Neck carried overly high or low. Thickness at shoulders. Topline-Slightly higher at withers than at hips. Strong. Fault: Dipped. Chest-Shows considerable depth rather than excessive width, allowing optimum lung space. 

Ribs-Well-sprung with good depth, tapering gradually to floating ribs. Underline and Tuck up-Tight and smooth. Fault: Sagging underline. Back-Muscular, blending well with the neck when the head is held alertly. Fault: Roached. Loin-Broad, well muscled. Tail-Set high, carried gaily but not hooked over back. Medium length, slight brush. Faults: Plume or rat tail.

Forequarters – Shoulders and Angulation-Clean, gradually sloped down from the withers to the point of shoulder, muscular, balanced with body, showing freedom of movement and strength. Fault: Protruding or overly broad shoulders. Forelegs-Straight from side or front view, well boned, set well apart, muscular. Pastern-Strong and straight. Feet-Set directly under leg, round, catlike, well-padded, strong arch over toes. Nails-Strong. Pleasant, alert, confident and sociable with humans and dogs. An avid hunter. Faults: Shyness or timidity.

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