Introduction
Being a ball of energy and a loving companion, the American English Coonhound is a beloved pet for many homeowners across the nation. Built with speed, endurance, and a strong build, these pets thrive in an open and active environment. Keep reading to find more information about this breed, including health concerns, insurance options, and how to find the best insurance policy suited for your needs.
Dog History
American English Coonhounds were brought to America during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. While the breed’s first American dog was the Virginia Hound, selective breeding was used to establish a breed better suited for the environment and job at hand. Dog owners needed a breed that excelled at hunting a wide variety of animals, including raccoon, fox, and sometimes cougars, boars, and opossums.
The breed was primally coined the name, English Fox and Coonhound, but that name was later shortened to English Coonhound. When the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in 2011, they used the name from the parent club, the American English Coonhound Association.
Sometimes referred to as the Redtick Coonhound, the American English Coonhound is known for its ability to hunt. Built with speed, endurance, and energy, this breed has always been a hunter’s best friend.
Breed Information
Given their strong ability to hunt, hunters all over the United States spend top dollar for these dogs. Originally brought to the Southern United States, American English Coonhounds weigh anywhere from 45 to 80 pounds, and typically stand 21 to 27 inches tall. Their coat is fairly thick, being short to medium in length. In regards to the color of this breed, they are one of three distinct patterns. These patterns include red tick, blue tick, or tricolored, which includes black, blue, tan, red, brown, and white. While the life expectancy of this breed varies, they typically live between 12 and 14 years.
Behavior
Although American English Coonhounds are aggressive hunters, they still make loving, gentle house pets. This breed stays relatively quiet, and loves to lounge around with the family. Additionally, this dog is great with children and usually stays calm without getting too wound up. Although they enjoy their time inside, they thrive in the outdoor elements. However, given their hunting tendencies, it’s best to keep an eye on them because they love to chase prey and other small animals.
How Much Do They Cost?
Given their loyalty, ability to hunt, and loving demeanor, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for an American English Coonhound. When buying a puppy, you can expect to pay around $1000 – $1200 each. But with the long list of benefits and long lifespan of this breed, these pooches are well-worth the money. These dogs can be a great addition to any family, whether you love to hunt, fish, go camping, or simply enjoy relaxing at the house.
Health Issues
While there are many amazing advantages to owning an American English Coonhounds, there are some health concerns to be aware of. Being that these dogs are bred as hard-working animals, that are usually in good physical condition and are relatively healthy. But dog owners have dealt with some common health problems with these coonhounds.
Due to the size of the pet, hip dysplasia is a common concern. Ear infections, polyradiculoneuritis, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) are other conditions to watch out for. Prevention is key when dealing with these health issues, so be sure to visit the vet for routine checkups for your American English Coonhound. Another key condition to understand is called bloat. Large dogs with deep chests are more prone to this condition, and it can be very serious and even life-threatening. Be sure to look up the signs of bloat and the actions to take if you suspect your pet has this condition.
Conditions with Cost
When deciding if an American English Coonhound is the right pet for you, it’s important to first understand their health concerns and how much the treatments cost in the event your pet develops a condition. The last thing you would want is to not be able to provide your pet with the acre they need. Below you’ll find some common conditions associated with this breed, including the estimated cost of treatment:
Hip Dysplasia
$4,000 to $6,000
Elbow Dysplasia
$3,000 to $5,000
Ear Infections
$2,500 to $4,500
PRA
$2,000 to $3,000
Cataracts
$2,000 to $3,000
Cancer
$5,000 to $20,000
Arthritis
$20 to $100 /mo.
Cataracts
$2,000 to $3,000
Bloat / Torsion
$1,500 to $7,500
Given the high level of care, medications, and support when treating the conditions above, these treatment costs can be very high. It’s best to understand these concerns when deciding if an American English Coonhound is the pet for you and your family.
Key Coverage to Consider
If you’re considering purchasing this breed, then it’s beneficial to also purchase insurance in order to be prepared for the unexpected. However, understanding what converges to choose can be confusing. Here are some key insurance coverages to consider for your coonhound:
Accident Coverage
This coverage option covers injuries or conditions that occur from accidents. Examples include broken bones, lacerations, or the ingestion of harmful substances.
Illness Coverage
When dealing with broken bones, torn ligaments, and long-term diseases, this coverage option is used to limit the costs of treatment.
Orthopedic Condition
These conditions deal with issues with the musculoskeletal system. Given that American English Coonhounds commonly get Canine Hip Dysplasia, the orthopedic condition coverage option can provide the help you need.
Hereditary Disorder
This option helps pay for treatment as it relates to hereditary conditions brought from the parents’ genes.
Pet Medications
An owner should get this coverage when looking for assistance with paying pet medications. Given the importance and high price of these meds, it’s a good coverage to have.
Best Health Insurance Provider
In order to find the best insurance for your American English Coonhound, it’s important to do research in your area and to check multiple sources. If you’re looking to get quotes for pet insurance from some trusted providers, then PetInsuranceQuotes.com is a great resource that’s suited for your needs. There you can receive fast quotes from some of the most highly reputable providers in the country—some of which include Healthy Paws, ASPCA, Pet Plan, Nationwide, FIGO, and more. All of these providers offer many different policy packages with customizable options suited for your specific needs. Many people see FIGO as a top provider for life-saving situations, and Embrace is seen as being a great value for the price.
Pet Insurance Cost
When it comes to the cost of pet insurance for your coonhound, the price depends on where you live and the age and health or your pet. Veterinary costs vary from state to state, so the cost of coverage really depends on where you live. If seeing a veterinarian is expensive in your area, you can expect high insurance costs to follow. For some examples, pet insurance in Portland, Oregon is around $42 per month, while prices in New York are about $49 a month. These prices reflect policies for a healthy, three year-old American English Coonhound.
Be Prepared for the Unexpected
Now that you’ve gained knowledge about the American English Coonhound and learned what health concerns to expect, you can now make an educated decision on if this breed is for you and how to find the best pet insurance provider. If you need help finding quotes from some of the best providers in the nation, then Pet Insurance Quotes is a great resource. Head over to their site to get a FREE quote and start comparing today!
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