Tracy & Frank Williams of River Bottom share decades of experience breeding and raising dedicated American English Coonhounds.
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Tracy & Frank Williams
1. We are Tracy and Frank Williams, and we live in West-Central Illinois in farm country. My family (Tracy) has been breeding and raising AKC (American Kennel Club) registered dogs since the early 1960s, with Rough Collies. From a young age, dogs and breeding were part of my life. I have personally been breeding and raising coonhounds since I got my first Bluetick Coonhound at the age of 13, and that was 46-plus years ago. Our kennel name is River Bottom Coonhounds.
2. We have been raising American English Coonhounds for their hunting skills and personalities. Their hunting style is one that partners with the handler. The breed can be independent when hunting, but is comfortable in a pack. They can be “big-running” dogs, covering miles, or close hunters in patch timber. I want a hound that I can hunt with, not hunt for, and when it comes time to head to the truck, they do so willingly when beckoned. They are strong in both body and spirit and can handle correction without resentment. Sometimes hard-headed, as with any independent breed, but they will learn and not forget.
3. We typically raise a litter every other year. This is to support our breeding program as well as allowing us to see if the direction of that specific breeding is the direction we want to go. It can take up to two years for a dog to mature and show the good or bad traits that they carry. Unlike some breeds, the demand for both hunting and show prospects is always there. We screen prospective owners to ensure that the pups are going to proper homes. Prospective owners are interviewed for both lifestyle and expectations. Since we have observed the litter from day one, we match dog personality with human personality. We also tell new owners that if, for any reason, they cannot keep the dog, we have the first option to bring the dog back. I think this gives new owners a sense of security and confidence that we are producing quality hounds and not just breeding puppies for profit.
4. All our pups are microchipped before they leave our house. Our breeding-age dogs are x-rayed for both hip and elbow degenerative diseases. If they do not meet our standards, they will not be bred and will be spayed or neutered. If the dogs do not conform to the health standards or Breed Standards, they will not be part of our breeding program. We also strongly encourage new puppy owners to do the same. We use conventional media to communicate with prospective hound puppy purchasers as well as with other breeders. We maintain a Facebook page where we encourage owners of our puppies to share their stories and adventures with others who have our breed lines. Stories from lovable goofy hounds to heart-wrenching stories about our pups finding lost children have come from owners near and far. As breeders, few things are more rewarding than knowing we’ve contributed to a lifetime of cherished memories.
5. The American English Coonhound is an open secret, as are any of the coonhound breeds. We have seen that a lot of people are purchasing the “designer” dogs and finding that they suffer health and/or personality issues. When we begin discussing the health tests that we perform, the generational knowledge of our lines, and the strict criteria that we use, the average dog owner begins to see why purebred dogs from reputable breeders are a long-term investment. And after meeting the coonhounds in person, they soon realize that trendy purchases may not be conducive to a decade of dog enjoyment. The coonhounds become one of the family members and understand what it is to be a part of something bigger. They are bred to be part of a pack, and families become their pack.
6. A few things come to mind. One is that coonhounds should have sex-related characteristics. A male should look like a male, and a female should look like a female. You should be able to determine this from a glance at the head and body without having to look at the undercarriage. The second thing is that some coonhound breeds are getting bigger and pushing the upper edge of the Breed Standard. This is from the actual hunting perspective. A big dog may have a tough time in thick brush, where a more moderate dog can find it easier to navigate certain terrain and conditions. Also, from someone who has carried a hunting dog from the timber after being injured, I can tell you that bigger is not a good thing. To mention a third item, first and foremost, the coonhounds are hunting dogs that use their noses. We show them like we hunt them; nothing over-exaggerated. They should look like they do when they hunt. Our dogs hunt at a moderate speed with their heads level with, or slightly elevated above, the topline. They do not hunt with their noses pointed at the sky like they are watching the horizon. The point of the head proximity to the ground is to better scent a track among the leaves and grass on the ground, not checking the leaves that are still on the tree.
7. Conformation judges are beginning to listen to what we have been saying and are now seeking guidance directly from coonhound people about coonhounds. When we educate about physical characteristics of the breeds, explain why they are desired traits, and then demonstrate for them, we get an “aha” moment from many. For example, the tail set is slightly lower than the topline when the dog is standing on the ground. In the coonhounds, when they are treed, that slightly lower tail set now becomes flat to the spine, and the dog is not over-balanced but solidly over their hips. The coonhound breeds have become more accepted overall in Group rings. Instead of being seen as just another dog in the ring, we are starting to be appreciated for our efforts.
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