German Shepherd Coonhound Mix: The Uncommon Crossbreed

Do you own or plan to own a German Shepherd Coonhound Mix? If so, you probably have a lot of questions about this unique crossbreed.

What traits make this dog special? How should you care for this type of dog? In this in-depth guide, we’ll answer all of this and more!

The German Shepherd Coonhound mix combines two very different breeds to make up a brand new hybrid with an all-original personality.

This will be a medium to large-sized dog with an abundance of energy. All in all, this dog is healthy, friendly, obedient, and intelligent.

How Does A Dog’s Breed Impact Its Characteristics?

According to Duke University research scientist Vanessa Woods, breeding can impact many of the inherited traits that make up a canine.

A dog’s breed will determine various components of its appearance, personality, and intellect. Breeding can tell you a lot!

It’s important to note that every hybrid dog will be different and unique.

While you can expect lineage and breeding to greatly influence a dog’s characteristics, there’s no sure-fire way to predict how it will look or act solely based on its breed or genetic makeup.

This Dog Has Two Well-Known Breeds In Its Lineage: The German Shepherd And The Coonhound

Since a dog’s breed can tell you so much about its history, physical traits, and potential behaviors, it’s a good idea to understand what breeds make up this mix.

A combination of the German Shepherd and Coonhound, this distinct mix is hard to miss!

German Shepherds Have A Rich History And Many Interesting Traits

Originating in Germany in 1899, the German Shepherd is a working dog with keen intelligence and tireless energy.

This loyal and devoted breed has gained acclaim as the go-to canine for law enforcement officers and soldiers. German Shepherds are highly trainable and eager to please!

Since German Shepherds have been bred to work, it’s a good idea to be ready to provide any Shepherd mix with a job to do.

Training, walks, or simply playing with toys, can count as a job. To learn more about this breed, you can check out this insightful YouTube Video.

Coonhounds Are Amazing Trackers With Many Breed-Specific Characteristics

The Coonhound is a descendant of the German Boar-Tracking Dog. They were bred for hunting, tracking, and trapping live game animals.

These dogs have an extremely sensitive olfactory system with long ears that help them waft scents toward their super-powered hound nose.

Being that these pups were bred to track and bay at animals in a tree, you can expect this to be a somewhat vocal breed.

This means that you may want to reconsider getting a hound if you live close to neighbors, like in an apartment. To learn more, you can watch this video!

When You Combine These Breeds, You Get A Unique Hybrid With A Specialized Set Of Skills

Any mixed breed dog will be individualistic in some way. You can expect a hybrid pooch to inherit traits from both its mother and father.

For a German Shepherd Coonhound mix, you’ll usually notice a configuration of specific Shepherd and Hound attributes.

This means that you could have a crossbreed with the drive and intellect of a German Shepherd, and the keenly sharpened senses of a Hound.

Alternatively, you may wind up with the energy of a Shepherd and the loud bay of a Coonhound. It’s really anyone’s guess!

For that reason, it’s smart to do your research. Mixed breeds are special and unique, but they can have their own challenges as well.

Rest assured, training, exercise, owner dedication, and socialization can help curb any undesirable inherited traits or tendencies.

What Is This German Shepherd Coonhound Mix Personality Like?

This will likely be a friendly and motivated dog that is eager to do a job.

However, German Shepherds are known for becoming territorial and unmanageable when not properly trained and Coonhounds can have a baying bark that wakes up the whole neighborhood.

As stated by Dan Hobbs, your dog’s breed does matter, but it’s not the only thing that will dictate how it will behave.

Training and bonding also will play a huge role in your dog’s personality and behavioral patterns.

With Such A Unique Breed Mix, You Can Expect Some Interesting Behaviors

A few of the behaviors that you can expect to come across in a German Shepherd Coonhound hybrid include things like:

• Baying
• Digging
• A High Prey Drive
• Escape Artist Tendencies
• Smell Related Distractions
• High Energy Levels
• Territorial Behaviors
• Barking at Anything Unfamiliar
• Intense Loyalty
• Food Motivation
• A Curious Mindset

How Big Will A German Shepherd Coonhound Puppy Get?

A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix can weigh anywhere from 45-80 lbs. German Shepherds usually weigh between 66 and 88 pounds and Coonhounds can weigh anywhere from 45 to 80 pounds.

This means you should expect to have a medium to large-sized dog when your puppy is full-grown.

This Is A Medium To Large-Sized Dog, Though You Must Consider That There Are Some Breed Variants

It’s also important to consider the exact kind of Coonhound that your puppy’s mother or father is. There are four popular Coonhound variants.

These are the Treeing Walker, Redbone, Black and Tan, and Bluetick Coonhound. This can help you guess your dog’s adult size.

What Will This German Shepherd Coonhound Mix Need As Far As Grooming Goes?

You are probably wondering exactly how many grooming sessions you’ll be taking your dog to each year.

This is a fair question, considering that German Shepherds can require a lot of grooming. Luckily, this mix isn’t as hard to groom as a purebred German Shepherd is.

Grooming Requirements For This Mix Aren’t Very Complex

Since the Coonhound has been bred to be easy to groom and maintain, mixing one in with a German Shepherd leaves you with a medium-range grooming rating.

This is because you can’t be certain which coat type your dog will have until your dog is an adult.

It’s a good idea to brush your German Shepherd Coonhound every few days and bathe them monthly or as needed.

Keep in mind that mixes with more Shepherd-like coats will require more grooming than Coonhound dominant crossbreed.

Important Thing To Know About The German Shepherd Coonhound Mix

Is A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix High Energy?

Yes, if you own this mix, you’ll want to be ready to provide lots of physical activity and entertainment.

Long walks and park visits can be a great way to help your dog work off extra energy. Training and teaching your dog tricks can help with mental stimulation.

Not everyone can take their dog outside as much as they would like to. Luckily, hound mixes can do well indoors in some situations. Coonhound energy levels can vary greatly.

If your dog will be confined indoors often, Cesar Millan offers some great tips on exercising your dog inside of your home!

Is A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix Good With Kids?

Small children should be taught to respect and understand any dog. Socialization is also always key for dogs owned by families with children of any age.

Justrightpetfood.com offers a helpful guide on socializing dogs for a better dog and child relationship.

Are German Shepherd Coonhounds Hard To Train?

These intelligent and eager to please dogs sometimes can require lots of training. You’ll want to provide them with plenty of attention, mental stimulation, and physical activity.

However, every dog is different, and some dogs are much easier to train than others.

When Should You Start Training A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix?

It’s a good idea to start training your Shepherd Coonhound crossbreed right away. Puppies start learning how to behave from the moment you bring them home. Be consistent, patient, and practice dedication.

What Can A German Shepherd Coonhound Be Used For?

If you’re considering getting this mix as a hunting companion, you’re on the right track. This dog makes a great family companion, hunting partner, and even can be trained for law enforcement!

Where Can You Find A German Shepherd Coonhound Mix For Sale?

You’ll want to find a reputable breeder if you’re looking to buy a mixed puppy. Be sure to avoid puppy mills and unreputable sources, as this could land you with an unhealthy and poorly socialized puppy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do coonhounds like to cuddle?

Yes! If you have a coonhound you may already be aware of how affectionate and downright soppy they can be sometimes. They have a really good temperament and are known to be sweet-natured.

They are also pretty easy going and love being around humans. 

They also have what is known as the puppy piling instinct. This is where pups sleep in little piles among their siblings and parent dogs.

As such, this behavior can remain when the dog has matured and may result in them wanting to sleep close to you and lay their head on your lap. 

Of course, it is worth noting here that just because the breed is known to be cuddly, doesn’t mean that all coonhounds will be cuddly. Just like humans, all dogs have personalities.

This means that some coonhounds may love cuddles whereas others might prefer their own space. You should always keep in mind that you shouldn’t force a dog to cuddle if they don’t want to. 

Are coonhounds good house dogs?

Whether a coonhound makes a good house dog will depend on what you mean by house dog! Coonhounds tend to need lots of exercise.

This means you should probably not get one if you have no room at home or in your garden for them to exercise.

They may not always be the best choice if, for whatever reason, you are unable to take them out for adequate exercise. 

That being said, if you have a small house but can walk them each day, it should be fine.

Likewise, provided you have a big enough garden for them to exercise in, you may find they won’t need as much walking. 

In terms of their behavior and suitability to live at home with you and your family, coonhounds are the perfect furry companion! They are very friendly and enjoy being around people.

They tend to get along well with pets and children, and will love relaxing on the sofa each night! 

Are coonhounds hard to train?

Coonhounds can be a little harder to train than other breeds. The reason for this is that they were bred for the purpose of hunting raccoons.

This means they are very determined and have a high prey drive. They can also be quite stubborn and have loud barks. 

Training your coonhound will be no walk in the park, that’s for sure, and for this reason, they may be best suited to people who have already got experience with training dogs as pets.

However, this doesn’t mean it will be impossible! With patience and persistence, you will be able to succeed in training them. 

Do shepherd mixes bark a lot?

Yes! Your shepherd mix will likely bark a lot. The reason for this is because anything mixed with a German shepherd will have some characteristics and attitude traits from them. 

German shepherds are not known for their silence. They like to chat, and of course, they do this by barking. With this in mind, any offspring of a German shepherd parent, whether that be purebred or mixed will likely be the same. 

This is nothing to be alarmed about of course. It is just their way of communicating. You can train them to be less barky, but to some extent, you will have to accept that this is how they are! 

If you are concerned that your shepherd mix is barking a little too much then it may be worth taking them to the vet to be checked out, just in case.

This is especially important if they seem to have developed a new barking habit out of nowhere. 

Wrapping Things Up

Every mixed breed is unique and full of surprises! Dog expert Simon Foden offers an in-depth look at exactly how special crossbreed pups are.

Remember, no matter what breed your dog might be, learning as much as you can on how to provide them with great care is a great idea.