Treeing Walker Coonhound
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is the most popular of all coonhound breeds for night hunting in the United States — faster and hotter-nosed (works fresher scent) than the slower, cold-nosed breeds.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
United States
Lifespan
12–13 years
Weight
23–32 kg (50–70 lbs)
Height
51–69 cm (20–27 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food for an active large hound.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Treeing Walker Coonhound is the most popular of all coonhound breeds for night hunting in the United States — faster and hotter-nosed (works fresher scent) than the slower, cold-nosed breeds. Developed by Thomas Walker of Virginia who imported English Foxhounds in 1742, the breed was formally separated from the English Coonhound in 1945 when the UKC recognised it as a distinct breed. The TWC is considered the "class hound" by many American coonhunters — its speed, melodious voice, and intense treeing instinct make it the premier raccoon hound. It can also be trained for deer and other game.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A large, athletic, tricolour hound with a clean, foxhound-like conformation. Always tricolour (white, black, and tan) in clearly defined, high-contrast pattern. Short, dense, glossy coat. Leaner and faster-looking than the Bloodhound-descended coonhounds.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Confident, intelligent, and friendly — the TWC is one of the more trainable coonhound breeds. Good family dog when exercised sufficiently. The intense treeing instinct extends to chasing squirrels up trees in the garden.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Large-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
5°C to 32°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
baying (VERY loud), escape attempts, destructive behaviour, pacing, howling
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours vigorous exercise daily. Very low grooming. Ear cleaning weekly. Secure fencing.
Nutrition Notes
Working hound — calorie-dense food when active. Ear infections (pendulous ears). Bloat risk. Generally very healthy. Robust appetite.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Hip dysplasia. Ear infections lifelong. Polyradiculoneuritis (coonhound paralysis — linked to raccoon bites). Generally very healthy. America's most popular coonhound. Baying is extraordinarily loud — not suitable for urban living. 12-13 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1300 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
900 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Hip dysplasia. Ear infections. Bloat (GDV). Polyradiculoneuritis — "coonhound paralysis" (acute polymyositis after raccoon bite; rare). Generally a robust breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
Most popular coonhound. Very affordable. Tricolour. India: essentially unavailable. Not apartment-compatible (baying).
Purchase Price
$400 to $1,200
Adoption Fee
$50 to $300
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
"Coonhound paralysis" (acute polyradiculoneuritis) — a temporary but dramatic paralysis that can follow a raccoon bite or contact — was first described in Treeing Walker and other coonhounds in the 1950s. The condition is caused by a toxin in raccoon saliva and typically resolves in weeks to months with supportive care.
