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Mixed Breed Coonhounds

In recent years with many of the major kennel clubs such as United Kennel Club (UKC), and Pro Hound Kennel Club (PKC) having began to recognize mixed breed dogs it is now easier to register a mixed breed. In the world of Coonhounds you have the traditional recognized breeds of Walker Hound, Blue Tick Hound, English Hound, Black And Tan Hound, Redbone Hound, and the Plot Hound. So, in the world of sporting coonhounds it has now become common place to see a hound that has an ancestry from two, three, or sometimes more of the recognized pure breeds. A great example would be in the above picture. If you have a well trained eye you can easily spot the irregularities in the picture of Dot, the mixed breed hound in the above picture. It might at first appear that Dot would be a standard Walker hound but, this is not the case. Upon closer inspections you will notice the markings or spots on the coat of Dot which are referred to as "ticking" in the hound world. This ticking is a common coat pattern on the English Hound commonly referred to as a "Red Tick" which happens to be the breed of the  sire (Father) of Dot. While the dam (Mother) of Dot happens to have Walker hound ancestry in breeding.

Now you might be asking yourself when crossing two recognized breeds to create a new type of hound, why would this be so important to some people and offend other people in different ways? When it comes to the Walker Hound you most know a little history on the standard breed of Walker Hound to understand what all the fuss is about. The Walker Hound gained its ancestry from the English Fox Hounds that where brought to the United States in the 1800's by John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin, for a little more depth on the entire Walker Hound history here is a link Tennessee Treeing Walker Coonhound. But, the original English Fox Hounds brought to the United States got stolen and bred to a dog that had an ancestry that was not known. Which in-turn gave us the Walker Hound that we all know and love today. Due to the length of time from the 1800's to present day many many people have played a part on refining the Walker Hound breed that we all know and think of. With so much work involved and many times, generations of families putting work only into a breed such as the Walker Hound.  It created the breed standards that many kennel clubs consider to be correct or perfect for certain breeds.  It can be easy to see why so many people feel so compassionate about using only Walker Hounds that meet the criteria of the Kennel Clubs to be considered pure bred breeding stock. 

On the other hand, looking into building a new breed of hound much like many people are doing here in present day, the view point is radically different. Taking into consideration that the Walker hounds original breeding came from a dog with unknown origin many breeders trying to create a new breed of hounds see nothing wrong with crossing different breeds of dogs to get the type of dog they desire. After all, keep in mind all pure breeds of dogs had an original purpose or reason, for why they have been bred to look, act, and have the instincts they do. A few examples would be hounds for hunting, Bulldog breeds for bull baiting, and smaller breeds for noting more that being "lapdogs" or just to keep us humans warm! So, what's the real harm in crossing different breeds of dogs to get the desired looks and instincts for a set purpose? Well technically there is NOT any real harm in the crossing of standard breeds of different types! Unless the breeds that are being used in the creation of the new line is somewhat small in numbers or going extinct. But, many dog lovers will argue that using standard breeds with lower numbers of dogs or dog breeds that are going extinct, will only keep the dogs with few relativities alive for generations to come. So knowing what your personal wants are in a dog or puppy of mixed breeding is the key. Below is a list of points from dog owners and handlers to consider when choosing a dog or new puppy of mixed breeding. 

POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A DOG OR PUPPY OF MIXED BREEDING

• Take a look at the sire and dam of the puppy and find out their ancestry and breed of both mother and father: Usually the puppies will show traits, habits, health problems, and overall characteristics of the sire and dam and their particular breeds. (Quick note: It's not always a 50/50 mix of the above characteristics in each mixed bred puppy from a litter. It's NOT uncommon to see puppies that show more or less of the sire or dam's genetics compared to a brother or sister from the same litter.)
• Know your standard breeds: If you choose a new dog or puppy of mixed breeding and are unsure of the characteristics of the breed of the sire or dam. Look into what those breeds are like first, before getting a new dog or puppy of mixed breeding. (Quick Note: Generally but not always, a puppy will have and show traits such as behaviors from the sire or dam's type of breed. A great example of unwanted traits for some people might be the instinct to retrieve. If you DON'T want a dog that tries to bring in all the branches in the yard. You might not be happy if your new puppies sire or dam came from a hunting dog type of bred, such as Labrador or Golden Retriever. )
• Spend time with the breeder: Ask the breeders of the mixed bred dog or puppies what and why they are mixing the standard breeds. (Was it on purpose or an accidental breeding?) 
• Also, ask if they have only used two breeds in their breeding program: Many times people will find that their new puppies, sire or dam also came from mixed breeding many times over, especially if a breeder is building a new standard in their line of dogs they are creating. (Quick Note: Many times traits in mixed breeds of puppies will show from several earlier generations.  So, it is possible that traits from dogs of long ago in the puppies lineage, will become present even if it does not show in the sire or dam.) (Examples In Some Hound Breeds Are: Blue eyes in some cases, flagged tails in some hound breeds, flat footedness in some hound breeds, or under shot teeth in some Bulldog breeds. But, all recessive traits that might have been unwanted or wanted in the past breeding programs, could come become prevalent again when crossing pure breeds of different types.)

The Labradoodle Breed

Over the years there has been a new breed of dog created by breeding the standard Labrador Retriever to the standard Poodle. This new mixed breed is know as the Labradoodle. The original purpose of breeding the two standard breeds was to create a dog that is considered hypoallergenic for dog owners that are allergic to dogs that have excessive shedding coats. This crossing of the two standard breeds created a dog that is not only smart but, also has excellent skills in tracking and retrieving. Many Labradoodle's have been used in search and rescue efforts in recent years due to their abnormal abilities in intelligence and tracking . This ability to track only makes sense when looking at the Labradoodle because of it genealogy.

The Labrador Retriever has for many years been used for it original purpose to hunt and retrieve birds. Sense the 1830's when the Labrador breed was first created in Newfoundland by breeding the Saint John's water dogs to the British hunting dogs of the time. The Labrador Retriever was systematically bred to have the ability to retrieve birds for hunters and have the brain capacity to also stay low in duck blinds in order to hid from the bird flying overhead. For about the last 200 years the refinement in breeding of the Labrador has created a dog that can easily pass it impressive genes to its offspring. 

Then looking at the other dog that makes up the Labradoodle, the standard Poodle was also originally bred to be a hunting dog. Much like the Labrador the Poodle was breed to retrieve birds for hunters. Most everyone that looks into the Poodle breed believes that it originated from German ancestry but, got its real abilities in hunting form later cross breedings with dogs in France to create the Poodle that we all think of today. It is important to note that the true ancestry of the standard Poodle is unclear. Many of todays breeders of the Poodles  have done extensive research on the breed. Those breeders believe it is possible that as many as seven different breeds of dogs  from different areas of the world, where in fact used to create the Poodle of todays time. All of which where established breeds that had been crossed to create just the Poodle breed.  

The Beagle Pit Breed

Two major dog breeds that have been loved throughout the years by dog owners are the American Pit Bull Terrier and the Beagle. So what could be better when establishing a new breed of dog than to use dogs such as the Pit Bull and the Beagle as the founders of the new breed. The American Pit Bull Terrier was a breed from the  Bull AND Terrier that originated in the British Isles around the 1800's. Coming from different Bulldog and Terrier breeds that originated in the United Kingdom, the Bull And Terrier dog was originally used as a bloodsport type of dog. But, with the advancements in society on ethical behavior to animals as a whole, the act of bull baiting and dog fighting has been outlawed throughout the years in most countries. With the American Pit Bull Terrier having the ancestry from these ancient lines of athletic dogs, it's no wonder that the breeders of the Pit bulls today have made gains in breeding Pit bull dogs that have less aggression towards other dogs but, maintain their strength, mental capabilities, and over all look of nobility. 

Much like the American Pit Bull Terrier the Beagle is also a dog from ancient ancestors. The Beagle was descended from a hound known as the Talbot Hunting Dog . The Beagle is thought to have been well recognized in America since the 1800's. With the popularity of the Beagle in America not only being great pets and loyal hunting dogs, they are also very intelligent. The Beagle is considered the 131st. smartest dog when it comes to working dogs with intelligence and obedience. Considering the Beagle and the American Pit Bull Terrier and knowing that both breeds are considered well loved breeds in America it's easy to see that for any dog breeder that is wanting to start a new breed of dog the Pit Bull and the Beagle would be a great place to begin. Especially if a breeder wants to breed dogs that could be used to create a smart, loyal, and curious new breed of dog.

The Beagle Pit breed is considered to have come into existence within the last 20 years in America. Also, the Beagle Pit is not only  a dog of strong caliber but, the Beagle Pit is also a dog that is great for people that have concerns about dog maintenance. Due to the breeding of the Beagle Pit, its traits are stronger than its parents and can easily been seen when compared side by side to the parent breeds. For dog owners that want a medium sized dog the Beagle Pit is awesome only weighing in at around 30-40 lbs. and only standing at about 18-20 inches tall. With the temperament of the Beagle Pit it is very relaxed with a curious nature. But, the Beagle Pit might not be good for dog owners that don't enjoy a very determined type of dog. Due to the ancestry of the Beagle Pit coming from pure established breeds that came from hunting and athletic lines.  The Beagle Pit is often times not easy to train and want follow commands of the owners voice because of its independent nature. If you are new to mixed breeds especially the Beagle Pit and are in interested in buying a Beagle Pit for your next family friend, there are some things you need to know. Below I've got a list of points to look out for when buying a new Beagle Pit... 

Points To Look Out For When Buying A Beagle Pit

• The Beagle Pit is highly affectionate: Some dog owners don't care for an overly affectionate breed of dog that basically will lay on top of you and not be concerned about the humans comfort, remember the Beagle Pit can be a 30-40 pound lab dog!
• The Beagle Pits life span: A Beagle Pit has a normal life span of 11-16 years. So for many years the Beagle Pit will be a staple in the families of dog lovers.
•  Beagle Pits require exercise: A Beagle Pit usually needs lots of exercise so a family with a big back yard is a must. (Special Note* Keep in mind that the Beagle Pit comes from a hunting line of dogs the Beagle. A good fenced in area would be best for owners that leave their dogs unattended and outside. This is due to the fact that hounds will often times follow a smell to the point that when they look up its possible they will become lost.)

The Steps To Follow When You Are Building A New Mixed Breed Of Dogs

For everyone that is considering starting their own particular breed of dog from established dog breeds, there are steps to follow in order to be successful. Below is a list to follow to help you new breeders know how and where to begin. Before you read the list keep these words in mind from the Crockett Cooner... 

"All breeds of pure bred dogs had a purpose or reason at one time in history, for their existence."

So, below is the list in numerical order to follow on: "How To Plan And Breed A New Breed Of Dogs" that is sure to get you new breeders started off correctly.

How To Plan And Breed  A New Breed Of Dog

1. Know your purpose for starting a new breed of dogs. Ask yourself why or for what purpose are your building a new breed? (Examples for starting a new breed might be: For betterment in the areas of hunting or working, betterment in companionship, less health problems than the established breeds/ for human allergy sufferers a more hypoallergenic dog/ that is truly more hypoallergenic Hypoallergenic Dogs:What breeds are best?, better attributes in physical looks and intelligence in the new breed compared to the pure bred parents, and longer life expectancy in new breed.)
2. Under stand before starting a new breed, the bad points of breeding a new breed of dogs. (Many times breeding two established breeds to each other can do more harm than good, by causing health issues in the new breed. Also, by crossing two established breeds sometimes it can be more difficult for the dam to deliver the puppies.  Then there is also the possibility of excessive numbers of puppies that you as the breeder, must find homes for. Because, mixed breeds often times have larger litters than established breeds.) (Side Note: Find out which kennel clubs offer paper work on your cross bred litter types of dogs, sometimes paperwork can be difficult to get on mixed bred litters!)
3. Prepare a whelping area. (Many breeders have established areas in their homes, outdoor kennels, or indoor kennels that are specialized boxes or containers known as whelping boxes for the dam to acquaint herself with before the expected due date of the puppies. The whelping box is important to help the dam feel safe, keep the new born puppies warm, for cleanliness issues, and to separate the new puppies from other older dogs.)
4. Choose the correct Dam and Sire. ( Knowing what you want to accomplish by the mixture of the two pure breeds will always help in this decision. (See Rule 1 of this list) Special Note:  Looking 4 generations back in both the dam and sire's bloodlines if possible is advised, to find out what recessive traits could become present.)
5. Know the history and traits of the Dam's bred as mothers. ( Usually first litters of puppies are harder on most Dam's plus some Dam's are never good mothers. Also, knowing the specifics about the Dam's breeds traits when having puppies is crucial. Special Note: Many bully breeds don't advice leaving the Dam with the pups after a certain period of time, due to temperament issues.)  
6. Know the menstrual cycle of the Dam. ( This will help with any spread of infection and make sure the breeding is successful.)
7. Prior to the breeding look for prospective buyers of the pups. (Always advisable to have a list of new pup owners before the pups are conceived.)
8. Prior to the breeding make a request for both dam and sire to have negative brucellosis test. (Brucellosis is a life long infection in dogs)
9. Know what steps to take at different stages of the pups development after whelping.(This can be done by understanding any specific needs of the pure breeds after whelping, that have been used for your breeding.)( Examples: Some Bulldogs breeds, Pugs, and Chihuahuas have more dystocia risk after whelping due to their body size which can put pups at health risk.) 
10. Once the pups are born understand health care for the cross bred pups.( All puppies need series of shots to protect them from different diseases. Also, determine  what type of puppy food will be best for your personal mixed litter of pups. Different breeds of puppies and especially mixed breed puppies may require special types of puppy food to get the nutrition they need specifically for the breed. 

Hopefully these ten steps will help anyone know the steps to take first before, they have decided to start their need breed of dogs from two or more established breeds. Always remember that when crossing established breeds there is a small chance of old recessive traits that have not been present in years, rearing their ugly head in the cross bred litters!  But, with some preparation most anyone can be successful in starting a new breed of dog. Finally, one last major point to know and consider is, most major kennel clubs require 4 generations of breeding with paperwork on all 4 of those generations to have what is considered a new breed of dog. Checking with the major kennel clubs first before breeding and explaining your purpose for breeding this new breed of dog is highly recommended!!! 

Sadly, this post on new mixed breed dogs has come to and end. I hope you have a better understanding on three of the newest most popular dog breeds of todays times and the history, ancestry, and traits that makes up these new dog breeds. Thank you all for reading this blog post today, if you have a second make sure while you are here at our site to check out all of the Crockett Coonhound website, there are lots of interesting things on the site to see and read. If you enjoy our posts and website please take a second to sign up for our news letter to know whats going on next at the Crockett Coonhound.  Also, if your ever scanning the old inner webs make sure to look for me the Crockett Cooner and the Crockett Coonhound you can find us on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Thank you again for reading, I hope you all have a great day and an even better tomorrow. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 What are other popular breeds of mixed breed dogs?

Cockapoo, Goldendoodle, Cavachon, Springador, Puggle, and Cavapoo

What are some major health concerns with mixed breed dogs?

Lymphoma, Mast Cell Tumors, Specific Cardiac Issues, and Hip Dysplasia

What are some possible differences that are better with mixed breed dogs compared to pure bred dogs?

Some great points about owning and breeding mixed bred dogs are their unique traits, their ability to be smarter than some pure breeds, their better over all health, and by crossing two pure breeds to get a mixed bred dog the genetics can often times have less mutations than with pure breeds.