Plate 203 · The Americas
Treeing Walker Coonhound
树丛沃克猎浣熊犬
“'The people's choice' among coonhounds.”
- Origin
- United States
- Kentucky
- Region of origin
- Developed by Kentucky breeders John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin; the marker is Kentucky's reference point.
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- 19th century; separate breed 1945
- Today
- Hunting dog · Companion
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
History
01 · Origin
Kentucky
A fast, tricolour American coonhound with a clear, ringing voice.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Treeing raccoons; also used on deer, bear, bobcat and cougar.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
Walker Hounds were bred from foxhounds in 19th-century Kentucky; a stolen dog called Tennessee Lead was crossed into the line, reportedly in 1852. The UKC first registered it as part of the English Coonhound, reportedly from 1905, and as a separate breed from 1945.
04 · Today
Hunting dog · Companion
A hunting hound and family dog.
Personality
- Smart
- Brave
- Courteous
- Vocal
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: the AKC’s trait scores as its breed page gives them (the AKC’s 1–5 guidance for owners, not a measurement). Other profiles here use editorial ratings, a different source, so compare across them with care.
- Exercise
- High energy: long runs and hikes.
- Grooming
- Very low maintenance.
- Training
- Eager but independent; keep lessons fun.
Living with one
- Size
- Large
- Lifespan
- 12–13 years
- Coat
- Short, smooth tricolour or bicolour coat
Field note
A stolen hound known as Tennessee Lead, crossed in during the 19th century, left a lasting mark on the breed.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- United Kennel Club
- Popular in
- No reliable data
AKC: Hound Group, recognized 2012.
First and foremost a hunting dog, also kept as a pet. AKC registrations: ranked 143 among breeds in 2025.
Sources2 references
- Treeing Walker Coonhound — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/treeing-walker-coonhound/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-14 · Registry status, group, size, life expectancy and registration rank; history as the AKC tells it. Ratings: the AKC's own 1–5 owner-guidance trait scores as the page gives them (energy level, trainability, barking level, openness to strangers, good with other dogs), not measurements.
- Treeing Walker Coonhound — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treeing_Walker_Coonhound
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-14 · John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin, Tennessee Lead (1852), UKC (1905, separate 1945) and AKC (2012) recognition.
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: Developed by Kentucky breeders John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin; the marker is Kentucky's reference point.