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Coonhound

******History and Personality******
Coonhounds history can be traced back to eleventh century England. Coonhounds were originally bred to be used principally for trailing and treeing raccoon. Coonhounds are scent hounds and run their game entirely by smell. Once the quarry has been cornered or treed, the Coonhound changes his tone of voice to notify his master of his success and location. Coonhounds are first and foremost a working dog, a trail and tree hound, capable of withstanding the rigors of weather and difficult terrain over which they are called upon to work. The characteristics and courage of the Coonhound also make them proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, mountain lion and other big game.
Coonhounds are generally even tempered, outgoing and friendly. Despite the tough exterior coonhounds are very sensitive. It is very easy to hurt their feelings. Coonhounds are also very expressive, if you have hurt their feelings they look absolutely miserable. Coonhounds mature slower than most breeds. Coonhounds do not "grow up" until they are approximately 2 years of age.Coonhounds usually have excellent health. However, due to their long floppy ears ear infections can occur. Breed related health problems are uncommon (ie. hip displaysia, ectropion, and hemophilia).

GENERAL APPEARANCE Symmetry, or conformation, is of great importance. Denotes quality. Working dogs will not be penalized, under any conditions, for scars or blemishes due to hunting injuries.
Defects: Poor conformation.

QUALITATIVE CHARACTERISTICS Energetic, intelligent, active, courteous, composed, confident, fearless, kind, graceful in pose and while active. Super abundance of sense, endurance, trailing, hunting and treeing instinct and ability.

HEAD & SKULL The head is carried well up. Occiput bone prominent; cranium broad and full. Head in pleasing proportion to body. The muzzle is medium square, rather long. Slightly tapering, with flews sufficient to give a rather square appearance. Stop not too prominent, not too abrupt.

Defects A very flat skull, narrow across the top. Excess of dome. Muzzle long and snippy, cut away below eyes too much, or very short. Roman nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-faced expression.

TEETH Should meet; not overshot or undershot.

EYES Moderately prominent; set well apart. Open, soft and expressive. Dark in color; brown or black.
Defects: Eyes small, sharp and terrier-like; too protruding.

NOSTRILS Rather large, prominent and black. A slightly sloping nostril not objectionable.
Faults Other colors.

EARS Of medium length, set moderately low. Should hang gracefully, inside part tipping toward muzzle. Should not be too pointed at tip, but slightly round or oval, soft and velvety, hanging with a tendency to roll when head is raised. In proportion to head and body.
Defects: Ears short, set high or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.

NECK & THROAT Neck rising free and light from the shoulders. Strong in substance, yet not loaded. Of medium length. Throat should be clean and free from folds of skin. A slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, is allowable.
Defects A thick, short neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlaps and fold of skin. Too "throaty".

FOREQUARTERS FORELEGS Straight, with a fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight.
Defects Out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked.

BODY Shoulders sloping, clean, muscular. Not loaded or heavy in appearance. Conveying the idea of freedom of action, springiness, with activity and strength. Chest should be deep for lung space. Look for depth rather than width. Well sprung ribs. Back ribs should extend well back, about a three-inch flank allowing for springiness. Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Defects: Straight, upright shoulders.

CHEST Disproportionately wide, or with lack of depth. Flat ribs. Very long, swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loins.

HINDQUARTERS Hips and thighs strong and well muscled, giving abundance of propelling power.

HIND LEGS Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent.
Defects: Cowhocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power.

FEET Solid, compact, well-padded, giving a cat-like appearance. Well arched toes, strong nails for quick get away. Close and firm.
Defects: Feet long, open or spreading.

TAIL Set rather high. Strong at root. Tapering, moderately long without flag. Carried free, well up, saber-like. Curved gracefully up and forward.
Defects: Too long. Rat tail. Entire absence of brush.

COAT Smooth haired. Glossy, fine, yet dense enough for protection. A close, hard, hound coat.
Defects: Short, thin coat, or of soft quality.

DISQUALIFICATIONS Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Extreme viciousness or shyness.

COLOR Tri-colored is preferred, white-black-tan. White may be the predominant color, with black spots and tan trim; or black may be the predominant color with white markings and tan trim, such as saddle back, or blanket back. White with tan spots or white with black spots may be accepted.
Defects: Any other color combination will be penalized when shown.

VOICE Preferably a clear, ringing, bugle voice; or a steady, clear chop, noticeable change at tree.

HEIGHT Slightly more at shoulders than at hips. Shoulders should measure: Males, 22" to 27"; Females, 20" to 25".

WEIGHT Should be in proportion to dog's height. Working dogs not to be penalized when shown if slightly under

Faults Any deparure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.