As a Treeing Walker Coonhound owner, you aren’t just dealing with a hunting dog that tracks well, has an unmistakable voice, and is always bouncing back. It is also an amazing friend, and that is what makes it one of the most popular dogs in North America. You’ll learn everything here about Treeing Walker Coonhound training so you have a trusted hunter when you are out in the field.
How It Started With a Treeing Walker Coonhound.
The Treeing Walker Coonhounds are a Virginia man who first brought English Foxhounds to the US in the 18th century when Thomas Walker brought them home. A tame and keen tracker, they later became the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
An Intro to Their Story.
- 1900s: Breed evolves more extensively.
- 1945: Breed officially recognized as different from other coonhounds.
- 1946: Treeing Walker Coonhound approved by the United Kennel Club (UKC).
- 2012: AKC accredits with full distinction by award.
What’s interesting, is that the “Treeing Walker” name comes from both their hunter’s nature (they scout and chase down prey up trees) and from John W. Walker who originated this breed.
Physical Characteristics
Everything about the Treeing Walker Coonhound is for hunting.
Size and Build
- B. Length: 20-27 inches at the shoulder
- Weight: 50-70 pounds
- Body: Muscular and well-proportioned
Coat and Coloration
- Short, smooth coat
- Black, Tan and White Tricolor design: White with black and tan markings.
- Others have a “blanket back” of black-and-white.
Distinctive Features
- Long, pendulous ears
- Expressive brown eyes
- Strong, slightly domed skull
Why Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds Such Good Hunters?
Like no other dog, this one combines talent and intuition. And they smell phenomenally, so they can trace anything – from a new odour to an old track. Once they’ve taken the meal, they turn with their distinct bark to wake the hunter and trap the animal in the tree until it is found.
According to John Thompson, a coonhunter who has hunted for more than 30 years, “With the Treeing Walker’s versatility in moving from silent trailing to high pitsched, continual barking once the prey is treed, it’s a real fiield resource.”
Treeing Walker Coonhound Training
These dogs do have hunting instincts, but you will want to make sure you get the best out of them.
Basic Obedience
- Begin with very basic commands – sit, stay, come, heel.
- Try recall training to be in control on hunts then.
Scent Training
- Introduce scent articles early
- Gradually increase trail difficulty
- Reward the tracking behavior with positive reinforcement.
Treeing Practice
- Scent toys or lures for pretending to catch a meal.
- Praise barking and hanging out at the tree.
- Do it in various environments to get the confidence.
Socialization
- Introduce your dog to people, animals and the world from his early puppyhood on.
Tip: “When training a Treeing Walker, be consistent,” says Sarah Miller, a professional hunting-breed dog trainer. “Short, frequent training and lods of praise and kudos will bring the moest results.”
The Treeing Walker as a Family Friend.
As mentioned earlier, these dogs can also be very good family companions for those families with busy lives.
Temperament Traits
- Friendly and sociable
- Loyal to their family
- Good with children
- Cautious around strangers
Exercise Needs
- Extra energy demands regular movement.
- Every day a walk or run (for 60 minutes or more)
- Sensational aroma-tune and cognitive activity.
Living Conditions
- Adaptable to different living situations
- Profit from the use of a well-fenced yard.
- Not a great apartment pet, as they are very loud.
Grooming and Care
- Low maintenance coat, which means that they require little grooming.
- Ear cleaning every week to keep infections at bay.
- Clipping of nails and dental work as needed.
Health
As with all dogs, Treeing Walker Coonhounds can have health problems. The most frequent are hip dysplasia, ear infections, bloat and eye diseases such as progressive retinal atrophy. You must ensure that your coonhound goes to the vet regularly, eats well, and gets groomed (most importantly, the ears cleaned) to ensure that he is as good as he can be.
Veterinary News: Dr. Emily Chen, DVM, explains “Proper health exams and a well-balanced diet are the secret to keeping your Treeing Walker healthy and strong. Not forget dental hygiene and parazite prevention, especially for dogs who are a lot of outdoor.
Treeing Walkers in Competition
Treeing Walker Coonhounds aren’t only hunting dogs — they’re also successful competitors. You can try Participate in these competitions and watch how your dog prove itself.
Popular Competitions
Coonhound Field Trials
It’s where your dog’s ability to chase and tree raccoons gets tested on speed, precision and treeing skill.
Bench Shows
They measure whether your dog matches the breed standard with the chance to show off its body parts.
Water Races
They squirt out the swimming prowess and retrieve speed of the experimented dogs.
Drag Races
Short sprint races, often run as part of larger coonhound races, get put through the ring here for agility and speed.
Obedience and Rally
It also gives you a chance to see how versatile your dog is.
The Bottom Line
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is in short, a great hunter and great friend. If you’re contemplating this breed, just buy one right now because you’ll find indestructible joy, fealty and charisma from this breed.
Leave a Comment