Treeing Walker Coonhound

Scenthound Group

The goals and purposes of this breed standard include: to furnish guidelines for breeders who wish to maintain the quality of their breed and to improve it; to advance this breed to a state of similarity throughout the world; and to act as a guide for judges.

Breeders and judges have the responsibility to avoid any conditions or exaggerations that are detrimental to the health, welfare, essence and soundness of this breed, and must take the responsibility to see that these are not perpetuated.

Any departure from the following should be considered a fault, and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.

History

The Treeing Walker was developed from certain strains of English Walker Foxhounds. The credit for the development of the Walker Foxhound goes to two men - George Washington Maupin and John W. Walker. Both men were from Kentucky.

Before that time, Thomas Walker of Albemarle County, Virginia, imported hounds from England in 1742. George Washington, who was an avid fox hunter, also imported several hounds from England in 1770. These dogs became the foundation strains of the “Virginia hounds”, which were developed into the Walker hound.

At least one major outcross was made in the 19th century that was to forever influence the breed. Strangely, the out-cross was with a stolen dog from Tennessee of unknown origin, known as Tennessee Lead.

Lead didn’t look like the Virginia strain of English Fox-hounds of that dog, but he had an exceptional amount of game sense, plenty of drive and speed, and a clear, short mouth.

Walkers were first registered with UKC as part of the English Coonhound breed. Then in 1945, at the request of Walker breeders, UKC began registering them as a separate breed - first as Walkers (Treeing) and then later as Treeing Walkers.

General Appearance

The Treeing Walker is a well-balanced, symmetrical, graceful hound well known for his ability to run and tree a variety of game on varying kinds of terrain.

Disqualifications: Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.

Characteristics

Energetic, intelligent, active, courteous, composed, confident, fearless and kind. This breed has a super abundance of sense and is capable of great endurance. Excellent trailing, hunting and treeing instinct and ability. Voice is preferably a clear, ringing bugle or a steady, clear chop. Noticeable change in voice at tree.

Disqualifications: Viciousness or extreme shyness.

Head

Head is in pleasing proportion to the body. Skull is broad and full, slightly rounded, with a prominent occiput. Muzzle is rather long, tapering slightly to end, medium square, with flews sufficient to give a rather squared off appearance. Nasal bone is straight. Stop is medium, defined but not abrupt.

TEETH

Scissors bite preferred, even bite acceptable.

Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot.

EYES

Moderately large and prominent, and set well apart in skull. Color is dark, brown or black, giving a soft, open expression.

Disqualification: Blind.

NOSE

Rather large and prominent, with black pigment preferred. White or pink spots inside the nostril or on the outside of the nose are acceptable. A slightly sloping nostril is not objectionable.

EARS

Medium length and set moderately low, the ears hang gracefully, with a tendency to roll when the head is raised. Slightly round or oval at the tip, and soft and velvety to the touch.

Disqualification: Deaf.

Neck

Neck is medium in length, strong yet graceful, rising freely from the shoulders to carry the head well up. Throat is clean and free from folds of skin; however, a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw is allowable.

Forequarters

Forelegs are straight, with a fair amount of bone and a short, straight, slightly sloping pastern. Length of leg from elbow to ground is approximately one-half the height at the withers. Shoulders are sloping and cleanly muscled without a heavy or loaded appearance.

Body

Chest is deep rather than broad, giving lung space. Ribcage is well-sprung and long, extending well back. Back is moderately long, muscular, level and strong. Loins short, broad and slightly arched. Tuck-up moderate. Overall proportion (measured from point of shoulder to point of buttocks and withers to ground) is square or slightly longer than tall.

Hindquarters

Hips and thighs are strong and well muscled, for an abundance of propelling power. Stifle and hock joints are strong and firm, with moderate angulation. Legs are straight from hip to foot when viewed from behind. Dewclaws removed.

Feet

Solid, compact and well padded, with a cat-like appearance. Toes are well arched with strong nails.

Tail

Strong at root, moderately long and tapering, without flag. Set rather high and carried free, well up and saber like with a graceful forward curve.

Coat

Smooth, glossy and fine, yet dense enough for protection. A close, hard, hound coat.

Color

Tri-colored (white-black-tan) is preferred. White may be the predominant color, with black spots and tan trim; or black may be the predominant color with white markings and tan trim, such as saddle back, or blanket back. White with tan spots, or white with black spots is acceptable.

Any other color combination is to be penalized in the show ring.

Disqualifications: Albinism. Any color or combination of colors other than described.

Height and Weight

Height at withers for adult males, 22 to 27 inches. For adult females, 20 to 25 inches. Weight should be in proportion to size and working condition.

Eliminating Faults: Males under 22 inches or over 27 inches. Females under 20 inches or over 25 inches. (Entries in Puppy Class are not to be eliminated for being undersize.)

Gait

The Treeing Walker moves with good reach and drive, showing good balance. Hackney (high stepping) movement is a fault.

Eliminating Faults

(A dog with an Eliminating Fault is not to be considered for placement in a bench show/conformation event, nor are they to be reported to UKC.)
Males under 22 inches or over 27 inches. Females under 20 inches or over 25 inches. (Entries in Puppy Class are not to be eliminated for being undersize.)

Disqualifications

(A dog with a Disqualification must not be considered for placement in a bench show/conformation event, and must be reported to UKC.)
Undershot or overshot.
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid.
Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Albinism.
Any color or combination of colors other than described.
Deaf.
Blind.

Notice

Working dogs are not to be penalized under any conditions for scars or blemishes that are due to hunting injuries. Fe-males that have raised several litters and show dropped udders are also not to be penalized.

Note

Spayed and neutered dogs may compete in all UKC Licensed Coonhound Events, including bench shows, nite hunts, water races and field trials.