Dogs have been with us through thick and thin. But it’s how they started socializing with humans that matters here. Dogs were used for hunting. That’s exactly what the founding fathers of the Coonhound Beagle mix did in the past.
Mixing two excellent hunting dogs, the Walker Coonhound and the Beagle, resulted in a terrific hunting pup named the Coonhound Beagle mix.
Much like other hunting dogs, the Poodle, Greyhound, Dachshund, Bloodhound, Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Labrador, the Coonhound Beagles are excellent at chasing prey. They might not be as strong as the Pitbull or the German Shepherd, but they’re tough tricolors ready for action.
How familiar are you with this crossbreed? Did you know it comes from different breeds? Have you ever seen one? Now, you’re gonna hear everything!
Origins And History
Funny story…
Did you know that the Treeing Walker Coonhound Beagle Mix is a crossbreed of a crossbreed?!
Pretty awesome, isn’t it?
Here’s the truth: the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a crossbreed of the Walker Coonhound dog and a dog of unknown origins. It’s a relatively young breed, created in 1945.
As further crossbreeding became more refined, this new Coonhound showed up – the Treeing Walker Coonhound Beagle mix.
It doesn’t get more complicated than that!
To understand this unique mixture of breeds, let’s learn more about the ones that made it: the Beagle and the Treeing Walker Coonhound breed!
History Of The Treeing Walker Coonhound
Yes, we’re aware the name is a mouthful and hard to remember. But, you can’t kick out any parts of the name because it represents the origin of the breed.
Surprises never cease with this dog breed. There are six different types of Coonhounds in the world. But, only five of them are recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). The breed is relatively young, and so is its recognition. The AKC recognized them recently, in 2012!
The Coonhound breed has a rich history, ever since they came to Virginia in 1742. Thomas Walker exported a couple of English Coonhounds, and the rest is history. These dogs have sharp hunting instincts and an even sharper sense of smell.
As the name suggests, they were excellent raccoon hunters, but they also tracked down larger animals like deers and bears.
Soon enough, the English Coonhound became the Virginia Coonhound. The breed slowly developed into the Walker Coonhound. So, when they crossed the Walker Coonhound with another breed back in 1945, we got out Treeing Walker Coonhound.
We know what the Walker part and the Coonhound part of the name stand for. But, what’s with the Treeing part? Treeing is actually their style of hunting. These dogs chase and track their prey until they mount a tree and wait beneath while they call out for the hunter.
History Of The Beagle
Beagles are probably one of the oldest canines in the world that still exists. Their exact origin is still a mystery. However, some sources claim beagle-like hounds have existed since 400 B.C.
Their progenitors were brought to England to hunt hares and rabbits. It didn’t take long for the crossbreeding of purebred dogs with local dogs to start, all to breed a better tracking dog.
The breeding didn’t result in larger hounds, but it produced a smaller species called Pocket Beagles – They were smaller than the original dogs. They proved to be very popular; even Queen Elizabeth I kept packs of Pocket Beagles.
In the 1700s, trends changed, and Foxhounds became a more popular choice than Beagles. Their primary role became to track and hunt. But, this didn’t mean the Beagle stopped existing. They were still popular for hunting small prey, even though they weren’t as fast as Foxhounds.
When Beagles reached the United States, they started off as hunting dogs, specializing in hunting rabbits. The AKC registered the first Beagle in 1885, and its popularity has grown ever since.
For more information on this dog’s history, check our article on what Beagles were bred for.
The Origins Of The Treeing Walker Coonhound Beagle Mix
Like all the other mixed breeds, it’s uncertain when the Treeing Walker Coonhound and the Beagle first crossed. It’s quite possible there were accidental crossings in the past. However, the breeds were on the radar ever since the first creation of custom crossbreeds became a more common practice.
This American English dog recently became popular. There is so much to learn about them.
One of the main reasons behind crossing these breeds was to breed out hereditary health issues from Beagles. The new mixture became friendlier and developed excellent hunting skills. It was the perfect result!
It’s no wonder they’re so popular amongst hunters. They can track both big and small prey!
What Does A Coonhound Beagle Mix Look Like?
We usually get to see crossbreeds that come from completely different parent breeds. However, this is not the same in this case. In fact, the Beagle and the Treeing Walker Coonhound look quite similar.
Both dog breeds have a white-based coat color that appears at eight weeks of age. The rest of the body is usually covered in black and tan spots. The black and tan Coonhound changes color as the dog ages. The only thing that sets them apart visually, besides the coloration, is their size.
Beagles are smaller dogs. They can grow up to 13 to 15 inches in height and weigh around 18 to 30 pounds. Their featured traits are bulbous puppy eyes and big, floppy ears. Their frame is well-balanced with strong legs, the result of tracking and hunting through the centuries.
Treeing Walker Coonhounds are a bit taller and heavier than Beagles. Their average height is around 20 to 27 inches, and their weight is somewhere between 45 to 80 pounds. The Coonhounds have a structure similar to Beagles. However, their eyes are smaller.
Walker Coonhounds have sleek bodies with long and muscular legs that can carry them for miles.
The offspring also has an overall hound-like appearance. They have a slim and lean body with strong legs that can run at incredible speed. As for the height and weight, it’s somewhere between the average of the parent breeds.
The crossbreed puppies have a coat similar to their parents. They’re white with tan and black spots all over the body. Their floppy ears and puppy dog eyes are also inherited.
Personality And Temperament
As we mentioned before, the Treeing Walker Coonhound Beagle mix is a hunting dog. But, what’s not that well known is that this is a family pet too! Being so friendly and affectionate, especially with the kids, makes this crossbreed easily adaptable to new people and situations.
The biggest reason behind their social engagement is that they’re pack animals.
But, this isn’t the only remarkable thing about this cross.
These dogs possess more interesting traits that weren’t inherited from the parent breeds.
Here’s what the Coonhound Beagle Mix really is like!
Motivated and strong-willed. This breed comes from tracking hound dogs, hence the motivation and strong will. Their ability to track a scent for hours is incredible!
While it’s great to have a strong-willed puppy, it’s not that easy to deal with them. Training can be challenging because of their headstrong personality. Still, the intelligence they have eases things a bit.
Friendly and welcoming. We’re talking about one of the most welcoming breeds ever. They’re quite affectionate and love meeting new people and other animals. Meaning, there are no problems when introducing them to new additions to the family.
Despite being tracking dogs, Coonhound Beagle mixes are excellent with children. They’re protective and enjoy playing with the little ones. They might be firecrackers, but their hearts are as soft as a marshmallow.
Adaptable. We don’t see many dogs who are this adaptable. Their ability to switch from hunting dogs to family pets is unbelievable. Whether you like being out and about or prefer lounging in the house, this cross will follow you and do the same.
Great news for those of you who work long hours: the Coonhound Beagle mix isn’t as dependent on humans as many other breeds are. Leave them alone if you need to go to work – they’ll be fine. But remember to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
Training And Exercise: How To Keep Your Coonhound Beagle Mix Fit
Indeed, these doggies aren’t that dependent on you, but they still need lots of exercise regularly. Their need for exercise comes from the parent breeds, as they were dogs that crossed long distances daily for generations!
Make sure you find a suitable vent for these energetic and active dogs. Energy has to be burned on a daily basis. Otherwise, the Coonhound Beagle mix will display destructive behavior.
Long walks and jogs are excellent options to lose energy. Also, hiking and playing games like fetch or tug-o-war will do the trick. All off-leash activities shouldn’t be done unless the dog has developed a strong recall. If he hasn’t, your dog might wander off if he catches a scent.
Training from an early age is crucial, or you won’t have a social and friendly dog. Expose them regularly to strange situations like new people or other animals, so their tolerance goes up.
Training is difficult because of the strong will they have. Also, these dogs get bored quickly. But, there is a way to prevent that from happening. Always use positive reinforcement, and you’ll see a change in their behavioral patterns soon.
Grooming And Taking Care Of Coonhound Beagles
Those of you who don’t want to spend half the day brushing your dog’s coat will find the Walker Coonhound Beagle mix to be the perfect choice of pet. Both parent dogs have medium-short coats and don’t shed as much as other breeds. It’s only natural to assume their offspring will have the same coat type.
Sometimes a puppy inherits strong Beagle genes, meaning they will shed a bit more, but that’s nothing to worry about. Brushing once a week is enough to control the hair.
Add bathing twice a month with dog shampoo, and you’ll have a clean pooch. Also, trimming their nails and cleaning their ears and eyes is an essential weekly task.
To keep the teeth hygiene good, have them nibble on chew treats at least once a week.
Common Health Issues
Treeing Walker Coonhound Beagle mixes are healthy dogs with an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Since they’re a mixed breed, they have a smaller chance of inheriting diseases from the purebred parents.
Still, they can develop some hereditary diseases. Make sure you’re aware of them before you buy a Coonhound Beagle puppy.
Let’s take a look at the most common health issues Coonhound Beagles face!
Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the thigh bone does not correctly fit into the hip socket. The thigh bone grinds against the hip socket resulting in pain, lameness, and eventually arthritis.
Even though hip dysplasia is more common in larger breeds, it’s still present in Beagles and Treeing Walker Coonhounds. Meaning, the chances for the offspring to inherit this disease are high.
This condition isn’t curable, but it can be prevented if you buy from reliable breeders who have a medical history of the parents and proof of hip dysplasia testing.
Read More: 5 Reputable Coonhound Breeders
Dwarfism is a common disorder in Beagles that causes malformed bone growth. The condition affects all the bones in the body and leads to a crooked back, legs, and a misshapen skull.
Fake breeders might try to sell such puppies by labeling them as pocket ones. Since this disorder can be detected in early puppyhood, it’s recommended you buy from a reputable breeder who runs tests on parents for dwarfism.
Although Coonhounds are healthy in this regard, Beagles can suffer from a bone disorder called intervertebral disk disease. This condition causes compression in the spinal cord, which leads to neck and back pain, and in some fatal cases, paralysis and loss of sensation.
Epilepsy is another common disease in Beagles that can be transferred to their offspring. Epilepsy triggers seizures that vary from mild to severe. The seizures are usually harmless, and the dog can lead a normal life with medication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Photo from: @la_di_dali
Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds Beagles prone to obesity?
Good news: they are not prone to obesity since the Coonhound Beagle is a muscular and active dog. But still, infrequent activity and high food intake can make them put on some weight.
Treats should only cover 10% of daily calories. You can give your pup some healthy fruits and veggies like artichokes, Brussels sprouts, edamame, basil, papaya. Avoid giving spicy food like wasabi, and human treats like Doritos, Cheez-its, or Cheerios.
Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds Beagles good guard dogs?
Unless you want a dog that gets petted by a burglar, don’t go with Coonhound Beagles. They’re friendly and welcoming towards everyone. Literally, everyone, including strangers!
Do Treeing Walker Coonhounds Beagles have an odd smell?
Both Coonhounds and Beagles have oils on their skin that protect their coats. The cross of these two breeds is likely to inherit the same oils and the same smell.
Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds Beagles cuddlers?
Since they come from two cuddling breeds, the Coonhound Beagles are also very affectionate and enjoy cuddling sessions.
Are Treeing Walker Coonhounds Beagles good with other animals?
Yes. This is a friendly dog breed that makes great companions, especially if trained well and correctly socialized. However, don’t let untrained ones near small pets, cats, or hamsters, or their prey drive will activate. Socialization should be the focus of this breed.
Final Words
The Coonhound Beagle mix puppy or the Walker Beagle is a friendly dog fit for all families and individuals. Give them proper training, and they’ll give you one amazing buddy for life.
The times of them being scent hounds and working dogs are over. It’s time to reach out and embrace Coonhound Beagle mixes as adorable weirdos and a part of our lives.
Type them into Petfinder, and let’s go Coonhound Beagle shopping!
Read Next:
• 10 Beagle Colors: Choose Your Best Color Combinations
• Coonhound Lab Mix: A Family Dog With A Working Habit
