Coonhound mixes combine one of the six Coonhound dogs with a purebred dog from another breed.
Coonhounds of all types are cheery and bright, with a highly developed prey drive.
Mixing them with other breeds modulates these traits but is it possible to temper that hunting instinct.
These Coonhound mixes are eclectic, exciting, and often surprising!
Coonhound Mixes
Did you know that your Coonhound mix is actually a mix of a mix? Today’s purebred Coonhounds actually arose through careful cross-breeding between different dog breeds.
In fact, this is a time-honored method used to develop many modern purebred dog breeds. Knowledgeable crossbreeding programs can bring many benefits to pets and their people.
In this article, you will meet 6 amazing American Kennel Club-registered (AKC) purebred Coonhound dog breeds and the most popular Coonhound mix breed dogs that have arisen from each breed line.
The Coonhound
If you’ve never had a Coonhound or Coonhound mix before, you’re about to learn why owners love these dogs so much.
Some enthusiasts have even nicknamed the Coonhound the ‘big Beagle,’ which gives you a good idea of the Coonhound’s characteristically merry, enthusiastic, companionable personality.
There are six purebred Coonhound breeds registered with the AKC.
These are the American English Coonhound, the Black and Tan Coonhound, the Bluetick Coonhound, the Plott Hound, the Redbone Coonhound and the Treeing Walker Coonhound.
Five of these six AKC-registered Coonhound breeds can trace their lineage back to the English Foxhound. The one exception, the Plott Hound, arose separately through careful crossbreeding with German Hanover Hounds.
What are the Traits of a Coonhound?
Each of these purebred Coonhounds has its own unique color. However, underneath all purebred Coonhounds sport a short, flat, neat coat that sheds seasonally and is easy to groom and maintain.
All Coonhounds display the same basic lean, rangy body type. These are dogs that are clearly built for speed, endurance and agility.
Coonhounds have been bred to work with people to hunt (you may have already guessed this) raccoons – hence their name, coon-hound. As racoons are nocturnal (night-awake), Coonhounds have also evolved to hunt at night.
Temperament and Instincts
Coonhound mixes are smart, focused, disciplined, endurance athletes with a tireless, fearless work ethic. With the exception of the Plott Hound which can be standoffish with strangers, Coonhounds are known to be sweet, gentle, playful and sociable when not hunting.
However, Coonhounds, as a rule, can’t resist chasing any scent or interesting moving object. So, if you let your dog off-lead, there’s a risk you will never see them again unless you’ve taught solid recall!
Also, Coonhounds, like Beagles, can be quite vocal and tend to favor howling over barking. Therefore, if you’re a light sleeper or live in close quarters with your neighbors, keep this in mind when choosing your new pup.
Coonhound Mixes
So why cross a Coonhound with another dog breed? This practice, known as cross-breeding, hybrid breeding or ‘designer’ dog breeding, is not new. In fact, the vast majority of today’s beloved purebred dog breeds arose due to strategic crossbreeding.
A breeder’s strategy behind crossing two different dog breeds may be focused on producing a dog with a certain appearance or temperament or both.
Another strategy may involve strengthening a breed’s genetic line and health by adding new genetic diversity.
Coonhound Health Issues
Crossbreeding can be important for coonhound breed health, as purebred Coonhounds can be prone to certain health issues due to their conformation (body structure).
Gastric torsion, or bloat, is common in deep-chested dogs like Coonhounds. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also impact medium-large dogs like Coonhounds.
In addition, eye and ear issues are also fairly common in Coonhounds because their ears are long and floppy so regular ear cleanings are needed to avoid infection.
Coonhound Types
If you are here searching for information about a specific Coonhound mix dog, this handy clickable list will get you to the right pup quickly:
American English Coonhound Mixes
Black and Tan Coonhound Mixes
Bluetick Coonhound Mixes
Plott Hound Mixes
Redbone Coonhound Mixes
Treeing Walker Coonhound Mixes
American English Coonhound Mixes
The American English Coonhound is also sometimes called the Redtick Coonhound or the English Coonhound. These dogs weigh 45 to 65 pounds and live 11 to 12 years.
This Coonhound can be solid (self) colored, bi-color or tri-color, with or without ticking.
English Coonoodle (Poodle x American English Coonhound)
This dog may weigh 40 to 70 pounds with a life expectancy of 10 to 18 years. Your English Canoodle may have a more reserved temperament due to the Poodle influence.
Also, if your English Coonoodle inherits the Poodle’s coat, your dog will shed less but you will need to do a lot more grooming.
Redtick Rottie (Rottweiler x American English Coonhound)
The Redtick Rottie is going to be a big pup – an adult can easily weigh between 45 and 135 pounds! The typical lifespan is 9 to 12 years.
This dog will be very attuned to “their” people, eager to please and protect, but may need extra training to accept strangers without aggression.
Redtick Whippet (Whippet x American English Coonhound)
A Redtick Whippet has a weight range of 35 to 65 pounds and can live 11 to 15 years. Just like Coonhounds, Whippets have a powerful natural instinct to give chase when they see a smaller animal.
This mix might not be suitable for a household with smaller pets, and you’ll need to invest lots of time in reinforcing a strong recall response when you’re out and about.
Black and Tan Coonhound Mixes
The Black and Tan Coonhound can weigh 65 to 110 pounds and live 10 to 12 years.
Black and tan is the only recognized coat color pattern for this breed – a coloration that is a particular asset during nocturnal hunts!
BT Boxer (Boxer x Black and Tan Coonhound)
A Black and Tan Boxer can weigh between 50 and 110 pounds and live 10 to 12 years.
The Boxer is a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breed, which can bring with it some lifelong respiratory, eye and oral health issues.
This dog will be all heart with your family and a brave guard dog with outsiders.
Black and Tan Shepherd (German Shepherd x Black and Tan Coonhound)
The BT Shepherd has a weight range of 50 to 110 pounds and a lifespan of 7 to 12 years.
This dog may have a short or medium-length coat depending on which parent a puppy takes after.
This dog will have an unbeatable work ethic, athleticism and a very strong guarding instinct, which early and ongoing training can help to temper.
BT Siberian (Siberian Husky x Black and Tan Coonhound)
A Black and Tan Siberian dog can weigh 35 to 100 pounds with an estimated life expectancy of 11 to 14 years. Your puppy may have a thicker double layer coat depending on each parent dog’s influence.
You will want your yard to be completely escape-proof in case this mix inherits the remarkable and mischievous Houdini-like skills of the Siberian Husky.
Bluetick Coonhound Mixes
The Bluetick Coonhound may weigh anywhere from 45 to 80 pounds with a life expectancy of 11 to 12 years.
These dogs are skilled night-time hunters with an unstoppable prey drive.
Blue ticking with black spots is the main recognized coat color pattern.
Bluetick Basset (Basset Hound x Bluetick Coonhound)
This breed can weigh 40 to 80 pounds and live 11 to 13 years.
This pairing of two hounds will result in a dog with a keen sniffer and robust determination to follow a trail right to the very end.
You may find a splash of the trademark Basset stubbornness also enters the mix along with the Coonhound sociability.
Bluetick Coonhound Harrier (Harrier x Bluetick Coonhound)
A very rare cross, the Bluetick Coonhound Harrier is not a common purebred breed, especially outside of its native England.
This dog will be all hound, capable of running tirelessly for long distances scenting and hunting prey.
This mixed dog can weigh 45 to 80 pounds and live 11 to 15 years.
Bluetick Rat Terrier (Rat Terrier x Bluetick Coonhound)
This mix is one that can deliver a great diversity in puppy size even within a single litter.
A puppy may weigh anywhere from 10 to 80 pounds and live 11 to 18 years. The Terrier/Hound mix is guaranteed to be interesting – your pup will no doubt be tenacious, fearless, energetic and protective.
Plott Hound Mixes
The Plott Hound is also called simply ‘The Plott’. These dogs will weigh anywhere from 40 to 60 pounds with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years.
The Plott is the official state dog of North Carolina. Coat color can vary and brindle is the main coat color pattern.
Plott Aussie Shepherd (Australian Shepherd x Plott Hound)
The Plott Aussie Shepherd may weight 40 to 65 pounds and live 12 to 15 years. This dog is guaranteed to be smart, nimble, playful and energetic.
Expect a dog with a strong protective and territorial instinct that is incredibly loyal to ‘their’ people.
Plott Greyhound (Greyhound x Plott Hound)
The Plott Greyhound may weigh 40 to 70 pounds and live 10 to 14 years.
The Greyhound’s speed and independence combined with the Plott’s natural reserve and scenting/hunting instincts will mean training can be both a challenge and essential for your dog’s safety.
Plott Hound Lab (Labrador Retriever x Plott Hound)
This dog will weigh 40 to 70 pounds and live 10 to 14 years.
Combining the Plott Hound’s natural reserve with strangers and the Labrador’s famous friendliness can make it harder to predict a puppy’s adult personality.
Redbone Coonhound Mixes
The Redbone Coonhound can weigh 45 to 70 pounds and live 12 to 15 years. Red is the breed’s only recognized coat color.
Redbone Beagle (Beagle x Redbone Coonhound)
The Redbone Beagle may be quite petite or sizable depending on which parent dog your puppy takes after. The weight range is anywhere from 20 to 70 pounds.
This dog’s average lifespan will range from 10 to 15 years.
This dog will have a very complementary mix of traits, since the Beagle and Coonhound are both hunting dogs with a strong prey drive.
Redbone Retriever (Golden Retriever x Labrador Retriever x Redbone Coonhound)
The Redbone Retriever is typically half Redbone Coonhound and one-quarter each Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever.
This dog can weigh 45 to 80 pounds and may live 10 to 15 years. Expect a thicker, longer coat plus a super-friendly personality with the double Retriever influence.
Rhodesian Redbone (Rhodesian Ridgeback x Redbone Coonhound)
The Rhodesian Redbone may weigh 45 to 85 pounds and live 10 to 15 years.
This dog will inherit a very complimentary set of personality traits from each parent dog, making for a friendly, sociable dog that also has strong protective and prey instincts.
Treeing Walker Coonhound Mixes
Some TWC owners call the popular Treeing Walker Coonhound the ‘People’s Choice.’
(paid link) This dog can weigh 50 to 70 pounds and live 12 to 13 years. Recognized coat colors include black, white and tri-colored.
BT Walker (Boxer x Treeing Walker Coonhound)
The BT Walker will weigh 50 to 80 pounds and can live 10 to 13 years.
Expect a friendly, smart, loving dog who is athletic, protective and playful.
Be aware this dog may inherit the Boxer parent dog’s short, flat (brachycephalic) muzzle shape, which can bring with it lifelong respiratory, visual and oral health issues.
English Bull-Walker (English Bulldog x Treeing Walker Coonhound)
The English Bull-Walker may weigh 40 to 70 pounds and live 6 to 13 years.
This dog’s temperament is likely to be calm, loving, courageous and sociable.
It is important to know this puppy may be impacted by the English Bulldog’s brachycephalic (short, flat) muzzle shape, which can cause ongoing breathing, eye and oral health issues.
Labrador Walker (Labrador Retriever x Treeing Walker Coonhound)
Your Labrador Walker can weigh anywhere from 50 to 80 pounds and live 10 to 13 years.
This dog will inherit a friendly, outgoing and energetic personality from both parent dogs, along with a thicker, longer coat if the Labrador parent dog’s influence prevails.
Is A Coonhound Mix Right For Me?
We hope you have enjoyed learning about each of these unique Coonhound mixes!
The Coonhound has a very specific set of personality traits that includes devotion to ‘their’ people. It has the possibility to be standoffish with strangers (especially the Plott), a strong prey and chase drive, mostly mellow and sociable temperament and a truly tireless work ethic along with the hound’s signature howling, baying voice.
Clearly, any Coonhound mix will need to live an active life with plenty of play, exercise and stimulation as well as lots of love and affection!
While it is true that a Coonhound mix won’t be the right dog for every household, in the right situation, you won’t find a pup more loving and loyal than these Coonhound mixes!
Do you have a favorite purebred Coonhound breed or Coonhound mix? Please post your favorites in the comments – we love to learn from our readers!
References and Resources
O’Sullivan, A., “Breed: Coonhound,” Rescue Every Dog Charity, 2001.
Bowers, K., et al, “Do You Think You Want a Harrier?,” Harrier Club of America, 2018.
Williams, K., BSc, DVM, et al, “Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome in Dogs,” VCA Animal Hospital, 2018.
Fraser, C., “What Is a Rhodesian Ridgeback?,” Ridgeback Rescue Charity, 2019.
Wegner, A.H., “State Dog of North Carolina,” NCPedia, 2008.
OFA-CHIC, “Health Testing Requirements,” Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, 2019.
Audrey Johnson says
We adopted a rescue walker coon hound/cattle dog at 13 months. He is full of love and energy. He takes a lot to walk and train but he is doing well after almost a year of being in our pack. He loves our new rescue and we love him but he’s on a gps tracking system. That has helped a lot! We had a beagle, this pup listens better than our beagle Quincy. He’s as cute as they come, weighs about 45 lbs and is such a lover and snuggler. Wish I could post his picture, he’s adorable!
Sheb says
Just rescued what I believe is an English Red Tick and Treeing Walker Coonhound mix; she two or three years old. She’s looking better, putting on weight, but I need more information on recall training. Thank you!
Ronald Bryan says
I have a 1/2 Black and Tan and 1/2 Kurr he is a handful and he is only 10 weeks old but he has already dug his way into our harts. I do believe that it is going to be a very good mix I have a cousin who has two black mouth Kurrs they are very good dogs. I am on the fence about neutering him but if I am going to I am going to have some of his seeds saved I think he is going to be that good
callie says
I recently adapted a dog from the shelter that I believe is a black & tan sheperd mix. super awesome dog. we have chickens so I’m trying to train him not to eat them. we also have a beagle/basset mix who we successfully trained to leave the chickens alone. any training tips?
Philip Stella says
We have a coon hound -rottie mix. Do. You have any informationabout them.
JANIS Galatas says
I have a four-month-old puppy who is very obviously a Coon Hound female. But she is totally BLACK with a “Goathead design” on her chest. I don’t know what her mix is because her Mom is a black/brindled color (who resembles a Plott Hound) and her Sire is the mirror image of my pup! They have similar white on their chests and even their ears are exactly the same! Both dogs have ears that flop backwards and remain inside-out. Any idea how they got to be black? I’m waiting for my Dog DNA kit
Kathleen Barron says
My loveable Mix is a Golden Retriever and treeing Walker coonhound mix. She looks nothing like her Golden Retriever mommy though. She got 10O% if her beautiful looks from her Daddy She is friendly, super smart but has selective hearing lol. I love her to pieces
Karen says
We adopt our sweet Dazy this summer, she is now 2 yo, a basset and Walker Coonhound mix! Sweetest and most well behaved dog we have ever had!!
Jeff says
My son brought home a Walker Hound Husky mix 6 months ago. My wife and I were not happy after 30 years of swearing we would never get a dog we told our son to get rid of it. We then changed our minds and said we would give it one week. We absolutely love this dog he is loyal kind smart and incredibly friendly. He has been such a blessing in our lives.