Also called Treeing Walker, Walker, TWC · United States
Confident, clever and kind, with huge staying power in the field.
| Size | Large |
|---|---|
| Weight | 23 to 32 kg (51 to 71 lb)12 |
| Height | 51 to 69 cm (20 to 27 in)males 56 to 69 cm, females 51 to 64 cm21 |
| Lifespan | 12 to 13 years1 |
| Coat | Short, dense, smooth hound coat |
| Origin | United States (Kentucky)12 |
A typical home-care rhythm for a Treeing Walker Coonhound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
A born endurance hunter that needs lots of daily exercise and chances to follow its nose.21
Loving with its household and generally good with children.1
Feed adult Treeing Walker Coonhounds at least two meals a day, and puppies three to four smaller meals. Times can be consistent with your routine; check the food label for amounts and ask your vet for a personalized plan.3
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and activity level. Avoid dangerous foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and others listed by the ASPCA. Always check with your vet for the best diet.4
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every 8 weeks, but you can bathe more often if your dog gets dirty. The short coat doesn't need frequent bathing; follow your vet's advice.5 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your Treeing Walker Coonhound weekly to keep its short, smooth coat healthy and remove loose hair. Pet Wiki's plan suggests weekly brushing.5 Pet Wiki plan
Trim nails about every 4 weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Trim a little at a time and stop before the quick; ask your vet or groomer to show you how.5 Pet Wiki plan
This breed needs lots of daily exercise, including walks and play, to satisfy its hunting instincts. Pet Wiki's plan recommends daily exercise. Provide opportunities to follow its nose safely.21 Pet Wiki plan
Brush your dog's teeth at least twice a week, ideally daily, using dog toothpaste. Check ears weekly and dry them gently; floppy ears trap moisture, so keep them clean and dry. Never push anything into the ear canal.5 Pet Wiki plan
Treeing Walker Coonhounds typically live 12 to 13 years. With good care, nutrition, and regular vet checkups, they can enjoy a long, healthy life.1
This breed is loving with its family and generally good with children. Early socialization is important; ask your breeder about its behavior with other pets.1
It varies by individual; some Treeing Walker Coonhounds may tolerate short periods alone if well exercised. Ask your breeder or a trainer for guidance.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
Running costs for a Treeing Walker Coonhound, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
No breed-specific rule names the Treeing Walker Coonhound in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are very food motivated, so keep treats to under 10% of daily calories and count them in meal portions to avoid weight gain. Avoid rawhide, as it may cause digestive issues.
Source: vcahospitals.com hillspet.com
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
Tennessee Lead, a key ancestor, was a dog of unknown background said to have been stolen before joining the Walker line.1
Its bay on the trail changes to a steady chop at the tree, so owners can recognise their own hound from far away.1
It is described as the most popular hound in competition coon hunts.1
When the AKC recognised it in 2012 it became that registry's 174th breed.1
The breed's name comes from its hunting style of chasing game into trees ('treeing') and from the Walker family of hounds, developed from English Foxhounds by Thomas Walker of Virginia and later by John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin of Kentucky.6
I started my day with a long run through the fields, my nose full of exciting smells. I found a trail and followed it for miles, my howl echoing through the trees. My human cheered me on. After that, I came home and flopped onto the sofa, happy and tired. The kids gave me belly rubs, and I licked their hands. A day of hard work and soft love, just what I need.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
The breed grew out of the Walker foxhounds bred in 19th-century Kentucky by John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin. A fast, game-savvy dog named Tennessee Lead, added to the line in 1852, shaped much of its character. The UKC started registering treeing Walkers separately in 1945, and the AKC followed in 2012.12
Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].
Text is written in our own words from these sources.
American English Coonhound
American Foxhound
Bluetick Coonhound
Redbone Coonhound