4 Facts About Treeing Walker Coonhounds

treeing walker coonhound lying on its back on a bed

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a classic American hunting dog. This hound dog is known for their intelligence and determination as well as their loyalty and affectionate nature towards their families. Here are a few more facts about Treeing Walker Coonhounds:

1. Treeing Walker Coonhounds Originated in the United States

The Treeing Walker Coonhound is one of the few dog breeds that originated in the United States. They were named for the type of hound they are, because they are known for treeing their prey, and for Thomas Walker, the man credited with developing the breed.

Thomas Walker was a dog breeder from Virginia. In the eighteenth century, he wanted to create the perfect hunting companion. He started by breeding American and English Foxhounds and developed the Treeing Walker Coonhound from there.

2. They Were Bred Specifically to Hunt Small Game

These hound dogs were bred specifically for hunting small game. More specifically, they were bred to track, chase, and capture prey by chasing it up a tree. This dog breed was developed for endurance, flexibility, and enthusiasm.

Treeing Walker Coonhounds are known to love tracking and chasing prey. They also work well alone or with other dogs in a group. These dogs were even developed to have specific barks for different events during the hunt.

3. Treeing Walker Coonhounds Have a Variety of Barks

Because they were bred for chasing and treeing prey as hunting dogs, Treeing Walker Coonhounds tend to have a variety of barks that mean different things. Their short, choppy bark was common for when they treed prey while bugle-like howling was often reserved for when they were actively chasing prey.

Even when they are not working as a hunting dog, they will likely develop a series of different barks that mean different things. With a Treeing Walker Coonhound as a family companion, you may be able to differentiate whether your hound has found something interesting, someone is at the door, they need to go outside, etc.

Because barking and howling have an instinctive base for these dogs, you won’t be able to stop them from barking completely. However, you can train your dog to stop barking early on to make it manageable and to keep it from becoming a nuisance behavior.

4. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is Not a Common Breed

Although the Treeing Walker Coonhound gained popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries as a hunting dog in and around Virginia, they are not a common breed. They did not gain the wide popularity of other more established hound breeds and remain a relatively uncommon breed.

The American Kennel Club didn’t recognize this dog breed until 2012. Currently, they are sometimes found as a hunting companion. But, they are more commonly found competing in competitions and as a delightful and loving member of the family.

Although they are not a popular or common breed overall, they are a popular type of coonhound. Among coonhound breeds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is considered “the people’s choice”, especially for tracking and hunting-related competitions.

These are just a few facts about Treeing Walker Coonhounds. If this sounds like the right dog breed for you, learn more about them. Then, check out the available Treeing Walker Coonhound puppies. Who knows? You could end up finding the perfect addition to your family!