Coon Dog Cemetery

Photo: Janice Williams, Colbert County Tourism & Convention Bureau

One day last year, I was watching the movie Sweet Home Alabama. It was a carefree romantic comedy that I found entertaining. One of the subplots in the movie had to do with the dog named Buddy that Melanie and Jake had when they first were married. He had passed and was buried in Coon Dog Cemetery.

About Coonhound Cemetery

In real life, there was a man named Key Underwood. His dog Troop had loved the camp where they would hunt all the time. In 1937, time had passed and and on Labor Day of that year, Troop crossed the Rainbow Bridge. It turned out his final resting place was Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, (also known as Coon Dog Cemetery).

Every year, thousands of people from all over come to visit this historic cemetery. The Tennessee Valley Coon Hunter’s Association hosts a celebration at the cemetery on Labor Day every year. Entertainment includes music, dancing, food and a liar's contest.

What makes this cemetery unique is that the only dogs that are allowed are Coonhounds. Coonhound owners have this unique bond. Located in northwest Alabama, there are over 185 dogs buried there. This cemetery was inspired in 1937 by Key Underwood and his dog Troop who had hunted together for over 15 years. This spot originated at a camp and Troop loved being there.

Photo: Janice Williams

Today, it's a huge tourist attraction and still follows the same selective process of allowing Coonhounds to be buried there. When asked why other breeds of dogs aren't accepted, Mr. Underwood said "You must not know much about coon hunters and their dogs, if you think we would contaminate this burial place with poodles and lap dog." Find out more at the Coon Dog Cemetery website.

Coonhounds are a special breed of dog. Known to track raccoons and other similar animals, they are adored by hunters these dogs stand out in the crowd because they will point out the tree the animal runs up instead of just tracking the animal on the ground. There are seven breeds of Coonhounds, all of which are accepted by the UKC and AKC.

Coonhound Varieties

• Black and Tan Coonhound
This breed originated from the American Foxhound and the Virginia Foxhound. Later on, part got thrown into the mix. As a result, these dogs are bigger boned and have those trademark black and tan markings. They range in height from 23 to 27 inches (58 to 69cm) and a weight of 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 34kg) for males. Females range in height from 21 to 26 inches (53 to 66cm) and 40 to 65 pounds in weight (18 to 29kg).They are active, fast, courageous and kind.

Photo: Wikipedia

• American Leopard Hound

American Leopard Hounds originated from Spain. They were brought to America and mixed with Mexican dogs. This breed will hunt larger game like cougars and bears, as well as, smaller animals. They are known for having great stamina and being able to tolerate extreme climates. They are easy to train and are eager to please.

Photo: Coondogs.org

Known for their spotted markings they come in leopard-color, red, brindle, blue and mousy colors. They are roughly the same height as the American Black and Tan Coonhound but their weight is 35 to 65 pounds (16 to 29kg) for females and 45 to 75 (20 to 34kg) pounds for males.

• BlueTick Coonhound
These dogs are a combination of the English Foxhounds and the French hounds. This intelligent dog is great for families with older children. They are strong, independent dogs who have great speed on the trail. The ideal owner must be a strong pack leader to let the dog know what behavior is acceptable or unacceptable.

Photo: Wikipedia

Their coloring is mottled with blue markings with their ears tending to be black. Others may have tan markings but blue is the standard coloring. Height for the dogs is 22 to 27 inches (56 to 69 cm) for males and 21 to 25 inches (53 to 64 cm) for females. Weight ranges from 55 to 80 pounds (25 to 36 kg) for males and 45 to 65 pounds (20 to 29 kg) for females.

• English Coonhound
The English Coonhound was originally bred to hunt foxes and raccoons. When the dog arrived in America, American owners bred the dogs to adapt to hunting opossums, raccoons, cougar and bear. This dog is capable of great speed and endurance. They are graceful as well. They have a pleasant and sociable personality.

Photo: Wikipedia

The height requirements of the hound are identical to the Bluetick Coonhound. Weight ranges in accordance to height. They come in a variety of colors including: red and white, lemon and white, black and white, redtick, bluetick and tricolor with ticking.

• Plott Hound
The true origin of the Plott Hound is from Germany. Named after Jonathan Plott, these dogs were brought from Germany where they hunted wild boar to England in 1750, where they learned to hunt bears. His son Henry later settled in North Carolina in the early 1800's and to this day, the dog is beloved by the state for its big game hunting. The breed is active, fast, cute, confident alert and courageous. It's an effective treeing dog and loves the water.

Photo: Dr. Dominik Hessenmöller

The Plott Hound is known for its brindle coloring. You'll never find this dog in a single color coat but any variation of brindle is common. Plott Hounds are approximately 22 to 27 inches (50 to 71 cm) at the withers for males, 21 to 25 inches (53 to 58 cm) for females. Males should weigh 50 to 75 pounds (23 to 27 kg). Females should weigh 40 to 65 pounds (18 to 25 kg).

• Redbone Coonhound
These dogs of Scottish ancestry were bred to hunt bear, cougar and raccoon. The modern-day Redbone hails from Georgia. This agile breed can cover terrains from swamplands to the mountains. They are water dogs who have an even temperment, are affectionate and love to please.

Photo: Wikipedia

This breed is one of the most distinguishable coonhounds because of its lustrous red coat. It used to be a combination of red and black but the black markings were bred out of it. Now, it's common to see an plain red coat or a red coat with a white chest. The height of these dogs are 22-27 inches (56-69 cm) for a male, with females being slightly shorter at 21-26 inches (53–66 cm). Weight should be proportionate to build.

• Treeing Walker Coonhound
Treeing Walker Coonhounds were named after Thomas Walker, a man who brought the breed to Virginia in 1742. These breeds were foxhounds that were crossed with Virginia hounds. They are very similar to the Black and Tan Hound. This energetic dog is a favorite among Coonhound lovers for its energy and excellent treeing instinct. Intelligent, active, courteous, composed, confident, fearless and kind, this dog has an extreme endurance and a love for competition.

Photo: Wikipedia

The height of these dogs is 22 to 27 inches (56-69 cm) for males, and 20 to 25 inches (50 to 58 cm) for females. Tri-colored are the predominant coloring for the breed. However, it's also common to find these dogs with black and white as well as white with tan.

Let's Discuss!

Have you visited this special place? What is your favorite Coonhound?

Learn More About This

Coon Dog Cemetery Website
Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau
United Kennel Club
American Kennel Club
Coondogs.org
Sweet Home Alabama (Available From Amazon)
How To Raise And Train A Coonhound by S. Henschel

Reminder: There are only two days left for a chance to win a $40 gift card from CSN Stores. Tell us all about what your dog has destroyed in the comments section.

What My Dog Loves To Destroy

One Man's Special Tribute To A Dog

Senator George Graham Vest

Hello Everyone!

It's time for a podcast. I found this speech given by George Graham Vest while I was doing a project for my podcasting class. I chose another poem but never forgot how special and powerful this speech was. It was given by George Graham Vest in 1855. This speech helped convict the man who killed his client's dog. A statue of the dog is pictured at right.

If you would like to see the speech online, please check out Wikipedia
Get the Podcast!

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you.

George Washington and General Howe's Dog

Today, we celebrate President's Day in the United States. Many of our presidents have had dogs over the years. George Washington, our first president was known to be an avid dog lover and happened to also breed fox hounds. In his lifetime, he had owned over 50 dogs. One of his best known dogs was named Sweet Lips, a fox hound that had even accompanied him into battle.

The Battle of Germantown

On October 6, 1777, while the Americans were fighting the British in the battle of Germantown, a dog happened to wander over enemy lines. After examining its collar, it turned out that the dog belonged to General Howe.

Some of the soldiers wanted to keep it to have an upper hand over the British, however, George Washington refused. He believed that no dog shouldn't be away from his owner and wrote a letter to General Howe explaining how he was returning the dog back to him.

The Aftereffects

This is a significant story in history because after this instance General Howe's attitude changed towards the colonists. Even though he won the battle in Germantown, he didn't stay in the war much longer. William Howe was known to be indolent and laid back.Asking to be relieved on his duties on October 22, in response to the criticism of his fellow Englishmen, he asked to be relieved of his duties. By May of 1778, he resigned from his post. One wonders how much a factor George Washington's selfless act played into his decision.

Let's Discuss

What's your favorite historical story about dogs?

Learn More About This

George Washington and General Howe's Dog by Caroline Tiger
About.com

The First Firefighters

Anytime I see a Dalmation, I think of a dog who's a firehouse mascot. They are known for their unique coat and athletic physique. Still, the reason these dogs are so much a part of today's firehouses goes back to their origin.

What makes Dalmations special?

It started in England in the 1700s. Dalmations had come to the country from the country of Croatia, called Dalmatia. Horses are animals that enjoy company. Their owners recognized these dogs for having the ability to get along with horses. The first documented firehouse dog was named Chance who worked for the London Fire Brigade in 1828.

Dalmations are one of the few types of dogs that had the stamina to run distances of 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 kilometers), they seemed a natural fit. Their distinctive bark and acute guard dog ability made them great candidates for clearing the paths for coaches. They also have a keen sense of smell and a high energy drive.

This breed became popular for firefighting because of two key characteristics. They were masterful at keeping horses calm. The sounds of alarm and other noises set horses off yet, having Dalmations around distracted them from the noise and kept them calm. Second, these dogs were great at watching over the horses to ensure that they wouldn't be stolen.

How They Have Evolved

As coaches became firetrucks, the Dalmation as firehouse mascot has endured. There has been many occasions where their loud bark has saved a firefighter's life and their scent tracking abilities have helped firefighters find people through the thick smoke. Dalmations are great at catching rats. Many firehouses had rat problems and they would help keep it under control.

Today, many firehouses still use this breed as their mascot. With the advancement of technology, many of these dogs serve as companions compared to what they did in the olden days. Labrador Retrievers and mixed breeds are now popular choices for firehouse dogs but Dalmations will always be iconic.

There are a couple of books out there that I will be adding to my reading list:
The Firefighter's Best Friend: Lives and Legends of Chicago Firehouse Dogs
Going Home: The Lost Story of Chief the Fire Dog

Other Posts of Interest

K-9 Cops
Dogs In The News: Coming Home


Have any of you had experiences with these dogs?

Well, since it's late, I just want to thank you for stopping in and wish you all a great weekend.