Size, Proportion, Substance
Size measured at the shoulder--Males 25 to 27 inches;
females 23 to 25 inches. Oversized dogs should not be penalized when
general soundness and proportion are in favor.
Penalize
undersize.
Proportion--Measured from the point of shoulder
to the buttocks and from withers to ground the length of body is equal
to or slightly greater than the height of the dog at the withers. Height
is in proportion to general conformation so that dog appears neither
leggy nor close to the ground.
Substance--Considering
their job as a hunting dog, the individual should exhibit moderate bone
and good muscle tone. Males are heavier in bone and muscle tone than
females.
Head
The head is cleanly modeled. From the back of the skull to the nose the
head measures from 9 to 10 inches in males and from 8 to 9 inches in
females.
Expression is alert, friendly and eager. The skin
is devoid of folds. Nostrils well open and always black. The flews are
well developed with typical hound appearance.
Penalize excessive
wrinkles.
Eyes are from hazel to dark brown in color,
almost round and not deeply set.
Penalize yellow or light eyes.
Ears are low set and well back. They hang in graceful
folds, giving the dog a majestic appearance. In length they extend
naturally well beyond the tip of the nose and are set at eye level or
lower.
Penalize ears that do not reach the tip of the nose and
are set too high on the head.
Skull tends toward oval
outline. Medium stop occurring midway between occiput bone and nose.
Viewed from profile the line of the skull is on a practically parallel
plane to the foreface or muzzle.
Teeth fit evenly with
scissors bite.
Penalize excessive deviation from scissors bite.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck is muscular, sloping, medium length. The skin is devoid of
excess dewlap. The back is level, powerful and strong. The dog possesses
full, round, well sprung ribs, avoiding flatsidedness. Chest reaches at
least to the elbows. The
tail is strong, with base
slightly below level of backline, carried free and when in action at
approximately right angle to back.
Forequarters
Powerfully constructed shoulders. The forelegs are straight, with elbows
turning neither in nor out; pasterns strong and erect.
Feet
are compact, with well knuckled, strongly arched toes and thick, strong
pads.
Penalize flat or splayed feet.
Hindquarters
Quarters are well boned and muscled. From hip to hock long and sinewy,
hock to pad short and strong. Stifles and hocks well bent and not
inclining either in or out. When standing on a level surface, the hind
feet are set back from under the body and the leg from pad to hock is at
right angles to the ground.
Fault--Rear dewclaws.
Coat
The coat is short but dense to withstand rough going.
Color
As the name implies, the color is coal black with rich tan markings
above eyes, on sides of muzzle, chest, legs and breeching, with black
pencil markings on toes.
Penalize lack of rich tan markings,
excessive areas of tan markings, excessive black coloration.
Faults--White
on chest or other parts of body is highly undesirable, and a solid patch
of white which extends more than one inch in any direction is a
disqualification.
Gait
When viewed from the side, the stride of the Black and Tan Coonhound is
easy and graceful with plenty of reach in front and drive behind. When
viewed from the front the forelegs, which are in line with the width of
the body, move forward in an effortless manner, but never cross. Viewed
from the rear the hocks follow on a line with the forelegs, being
neither too widely nor too closely spaced, and as the speed of the trot
increases the feet tend to converge toward a center line or single track
indicating soundness, balance and stamina. When in action, his head and
tail carriage is proud and alert; the topline remains level.
Temperament
Even temperament, outgoing and friendly. As a working scent hound, must
be able to work in close contact with other hounds. Some may be reserved
but never shy or vicious. Aggression toward people or other dogs is most
undesirable.
Note--Inasmuch as this is a hunting breed, scars from honorable
wounds shall not be considered faults.
Disqualification
A solid patch of white which extends more than one inch in any
direction.
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