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Coon Dog Day

Each year, devoted Coonhound enthusiasts gather in downtown Saluda, North Carolina, on the Saturday following the Fourth of July for a day filled with small-town charm and fun. The event includes live music, dancing, a 5K race/fun run, and a parade where Coonhounds and their proud pet parents take center stage. The festivities also feature an American Kennel Club-licensed dog show, and a treeing competition where Coonhounds showcase their baying talents using an artificial raccoon.

Saluda, located about 35 miles southeast of Asheville, North Carolina, is the perfect setting for this celebration of all things Coonhound.

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Fun Facts About Coonhounds

In honor of Coon Dog Day, here are some interesting facts about these remarkable breeds:

Variety of Breeds: There are six officially recognized Coonhound breeds:

  • Black and Tan Coonhound
  • Bluetick Coonhound
  • English Coonhound
  • Plott Hound
  • Redbone Coonhound
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound

Origins of a Phrase: The phrase “barking up the wrong tree,” first used by James Kirke Paulding in his 1832 novel Westward Ho!, refers to a hunting dog fooled by a raccoon into thinking it has climbed a tree when it has actually escaped.

A Unique Resting Place: The world’s only Coonhound cemetery, Key Underwood Coondog Memorial Graveyard in Colbert County, Alabama, has been the final resting place for faithful purebred Coonhounds since 1937. This cemetery was even recreated for the film Sweet Home Alabama.

Coonhounds in Music: Jimmy Martin, known as the King of Bluegrass, recorded the song “Pete, The Best Coon Dog in The State of Tennessee.”

Longevity: The average lifespan of the six Coonhound breeds varies slightly:

  • Black and Tan Coonhound: 10-12 years
  • Redbone Coonhound: 11-12 years
  • Bluetick Coonhound: 11-12 years
  • American English Coonhound: 11-12 years
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound: 12-13 years
  • Plott Hound: 12-14 years

Black and Tan Coonhound Trivia

  • Presidential Pets: George Washington, the father of our country, was a pet parent to several Black and Tan Coonhounds named Drunkard, Taster, Tipler, and Tipsy.
  • Record-Holding Ears: Measuring 13.38 inches, the ears of a Black and Tan Coonhound named Lou earned a spot in the 2022 Guinness Book of World Records for the longest ears on a living dog!
  • A Statue with a Story: Outside the Johnson County Courthouse in Warrensburg, Missouri, stands a statue of a Black and Tan Coonhound named Old Drum, a beloved dog wrongfully killed in 1869. His owner fought all the way to the Missouri Supreme Court to clear Old Drum’s name.

Bluetick Coonhound Trivia

  • State Symbol: The Bluetick Coonhound is the official dog of Tennessee.
  • Mascot Legacy: Since 1953, the University of Tennessee’s mascot has been a Bluetick Coonhound named Smokey, with each successor taking on the name and role. Smokey XI, the current mascot, took over in 2022.
  • Music Video Star: A Bluetick Coonhound named Princess plays a key role in Blake Shelton’s music video for “Ol’ Red.”
  • On-Screen Appearance: The Disney adaptation of Savage Sam, Fred Gipson’s sequel to Old Yeller, features the titular character portrayed by a Bluetick Coonhound.

American English Coonhound Trivia

  • Multiple Names: This breed was previously known as the English Fox and Coonhound, the Redtick Coonhound, and the English Coonhound.
  • Late Recognition: Despite its long history in America, the American English Coonhound wasn’t officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2011.
  • Fastest of Them All: Many believe the American English Coonhound is the fastest of all six coonhound breeds.

Redbone Coonhound Trivia

  • Literary Fame: The Redbone Coonhound gained fame through Wilson Rawls’ novel Where the Red Fern Grows, which has introduced generations to the breed. A life-size bronze statue of the story’s canine heroes, Old Dan and Little Ann, stands outside the Public Library in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
  • Festival Fun: Tahlequah, Oklahoma, celebrates the Redbone Coonhound during the annual Red Fern Festival, inspired by the novel.
  • Breed Origins: The “Redbone” in Redbone Coonhound honors Peter Redbone, a Tennessee breeder who played a key role in developing the breed.

Plott Hound Trivia

  • State Dog: The Plott Hound was named the official state dog of North Carolina in 1989, and a statue of the breed was unveiled in 2017 in Hazelwood.
  • PlottToberfest: Canton, North Carolina, hosts a four-day PlottToberfest to celebrate the breed and the area’s German heritage. The festival includes various Plott Hound competitions sanctioned by the UKC Worldwide.
  • Unique Lineage: The Plott Hound is the only coonhound breed not related to the foxhound.

Treeing Walker Coonhound Trivia

  • The People’s Choice: The Treeing Walker Coonhound is often called “The People’s Choice” due to its success in hunting competitions.
  • Breed Name Origin: The breed’s name honors Thomas Walker of Virginia, who played a crucial role in its development.
  • Historical Marker: The breed traces its American origins to the 1800s with a hound named Tennessee Lead. A historical marker in Monroe, Tennessee, commemorates this foundation sire of the Treeing Walker Coonhound.

American Leopard Hound Trivia

  • Recent Recognition: The American Leopard Hound wasn’t officially recognized by the United Kennel Club until 2008.
  • Also Known As: This breed has also been referred to as the Leopard Cur.
  • Awaiting AKC Recognition: The American Leopard Hound has yet to be recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Adopting a Coonhound

If you’re considering adding a Coonhound to your family, you may find your new best friend through a breed-specific rescue. Coonhounds make loyal and loving companions for those ready to embrace their unique energy and hunting instincts.

Check out the AKC Coonhounds’ rescue page for a list of some of the breed specific rescues throughout the United States and the Coonhound Rescue Network.

Other sources for rescue Coonhounds include: