coonhound, black-and-tan, breed of large hound developed in the United States. It stands from 23 to 27 in. (58-69 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 70 to 85 lb (32-38 kg). The dense, short coat is coal black with tan markings above the eyes and on the muzzle, chest, and legs. The black-and-tan is descended from the old Virginia (American) foxhound and is bred especially for proficiency in hunting raccoons and opossums. It is a slow but methodical trailer, scenting with its nose to the ground much like a bloodhound. Once it has treed its quarry it gives voice until the hunter arrives. There are other varieties of coonhound closely related to the black-and-tan and also originally descended from the foxhound, e.g., the Walker, Trigg, redbone, bluetick, and Plott, but only the black-and-tan is recognized as a separate breed by the American Kennel Club. See dog.