English Coonhounds, registered by the AKC as American English Coonhounds and sometimes called Redtick Coonhounds, grew out of the foxhounds colonial Americans brought from Britain. Hunters reshaped those hounds for rough terrain and night work, trailing raccoons until the quarry climbed a tree and then baying at the trunk. The UKC recognized the breed in 1905, and the AKC added it to the Hound Group in 2011. Lean and racy, these hounds wear a hard, medium coat, most often red or blue ticked on white, or tricolor.
At home, many are mellow, sociable dogs that get along with people and other dogs, a legacy of hunting in packs. Outdoors, the nose usually wins: a scent can pull one far away fast, and a bored hound may announce its feelings in a loud, carrying bawl. Adopters do best with a secure fence, leashed walks and plenty of running.