Treeing Walker Coonhound

  • Overview

    Treeing Walker Coonhounds are natural hunters who are adept at cornering raccoons and chasing them up trees. Each dog has a distinctive bay that is identifiable to their owners. They weigh between 50 and 75 pounds and look a little like tall beagles.

    The Treeing Walker Coonhound makes a gentle, easy-going pet for all kinds of families who can give them the exercise and attention they crave. They are also successful tracking hounds who can be used to hunt raccoons and small game in rural environments.

  • Personality

    Treeing Walker Coonhounds are affectionate and abiding hound dogs who don't have much desire to get aggressive or disobey their owners. They are fairly easy-going around people and don't tend to get annoyed with children or other dogs. Their temperament varies slightly — some dogs are more protective, people-needy and shy around strangers than others, who can be confident, independent and self-assured around strangers.

    Like all tracking hound dogs, their favorite past-times are exploring and hunting outdoors. They are curious dogs who are constantly on the lookout. In fact, some coonhounds have been known to climb up over fences or build ladders for themselves to escape confinement. Therefore, they need plenty of stimulating exercise to keep them entertained outdoors and relaxed indoors. Without exercise or the opportunity to sniff and explore, they can become anxious and mischievous.

  • Coat Care

    These dogs look like larger, more sturdy beagles. They have a short, dense coat that should look smooth and glossy. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are tri-colored dogs with either white or black bases and white, black and tan spots or saddle markings.

Treeing Walker Coonhound
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Brushing

With their sleek hound-dog coat, Treeing Walker Coonhounds have a relatively low-key beauty regimen. A quick rub-down with a wire brush or a hound glove is all they need to look their best. They shed periodically, but keeping up to date with brushing will ensure that the extra hair is not unmanageable.

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Bathing

With preparation, perseverance and a positive attitude, bathing can become a fun and fulfilling part of the regular grooming cycle, while helping your dog avoid many diseases and infections.

Smooth coated breeds adhere to the general rule of dog bathing: about once every three months. The coat should end up fresh smelling, shiny, with no loose or shedding hair. First give the dog a good brushing to remove dead hair and mats. Place a rubber mat in the tub to provide secure footing and fill the tub with three to four inches of lukewarm water. Use a spray hose, pitcher or unbreakable cup to wet the dog, taking caution to avoid getting water in the eyes, ears and nose. Massage in pet shampoo, saving the head for last. Immediately rinse thoroughly, starting with the head to prevent soap from dripping into the eyes. Towel dry. Wipe wrinkled breeds with a soft cloth and make sure they are totally dry after bathing.

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Hair Clipping

Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, giving your dog a haircut is easy on your wallet and your schedule.

Dogs with smooth coats generally only require trims and tidying up in areas of excessive hair growth using a trimmer or blunt scissors. It's always wise to take a dog for a short walk or exercise to calm them down before trimming. Remember to brush the coat first to remove any tangles and mats. Don't forget to trim around the paws, pads, tail, chest and sanitary areas, as needed. The coat should lay flat and smooth against the body when finished.

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Nails

Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.

Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience.  As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.

You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.

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Eyes / Ears

Make sure to check their ears for infection and clean them out frequently, because the large, floppy ears attract dirt and water.

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Teeth

Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some dogs are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth, especially small dogs with tiny teeth and dogs with special diets. These problems can be easily combatted with frequent brushing.

Cavities are rare with dogs but gum disease caused by tartar buildup is not, which is why they require regular brushing with toothpaste and a toothbrush formulated specifically for dogs. While daily brushing is ideal, doing so on a weekly basis will be a big help in avoiding the need to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a cleaning, which usually has to be done under sedation.