The Black and Tan Coonhound breed of dog is a persistent hunting dog that will stay on track no matter the terrain or conditions. His name comes from his color and purpose: his coat is black with tan markings, and he was originally developed to trail and tree raccoons. He is well adapted to both the rigors of winter and heat of summer. The Black and Tan Coonhound operates entirely by scent. His intelligence, skill, and courage also make him proficient on the hunt for deer, bear, mountain lion and other big game. The general impression is of power, agility and alertness. He can cover the ground with powerful rhythmic strides. Measured from the point of shoulder to the buttocks and from withers to ground, the length of the Black and Tan's body is equal to or slightly greater than the height of the dog at the withers. Height is in proportion to general conformation. The Black and Tan Coonhound breed of dog should exhibit moderate bone and good muscle tone. The head is clean. 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. Eyes are 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. The neck of the Black and Tan Coonhound breed of dog is muscular, sloping, and medium length. The back is level, powerful and strong. The dog possesses full, round, well sprung ribs. The 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. The shoulders are powerful, with straight forelegs and elbows turning neither in nor out; pasterns strong and erect. Feet are compact, with well knuckled, strongly arched toes and thick, strong pads. Flat or splayed feet are penalized. 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. Rear dewclaws should be removed. The coat is short but dense. As its name implies, the color of the Black and Tan Coonhound 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. 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, neither too widely nor too closely spaced. 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 level.