The early days of a breed can become the stuff of legends, but so can a breed’s special talents. Black and Tan Coonhounds are considered to be “wicked smart,” by their owners, and perhaps none as smart as the dog belonging to one particular Midwestern hunter. It was said that all the hunter had to do was show the dog a board that was the same size as the skin he wanted to tack onto it, and the Coonhound would run into the woods and fetch a raccoon exactly that size. One day, the hunter’s wife set her ironing board on the back porch, and the dedicated dog ran off looking for a raccoon the same size. It’s said he didn’t come back for two years!

Breed mythology. It can be quite amusing, if not fanciful!

Black and Tan Coonhound by by Cherilynn Wood. This print may be purchase here.