Editing Coonhound (section)

==History==
In the [[Colonial America|colonial period]], [[hound]]s were imported into North America for the popular sport of [[fox hunting]]. Various breeds of [[foxhound]]s and other hunting hounds were imported from [[England]], [[Ireland]], and [[France]].<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4Z1CAAAQBAJ&pg=PA182|title=The New Complete Dog Book: Official Breed Standards and All-New Profiles for 200 Breeds- Now in Full-Color|first=The American Kennel|last=Club|date=11 November 2014|publisher=i5 Publishing|isbn=9781621870913|access-date=11 December 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref>

Foxhounds were found to be inadequate for hunting American animals that did not hide near the ground, but instead climbed trees, such as [[raccoon]]s, [[opossum]]s, [[bobcat]]s, and even larger prey like [[cougar]]s and [[bear]]s.<ref name="AKC">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4Z1CAAAQBAJ&q=Coonhound+bear+and+cougar&pg=PA42|title=The New Complete Dog Book: Official Breed Standards and All-New Profiles for 200 Breeds- Now in Full-Color|first=The American Kennel|last=Club|date=11 November 2014|publisher=i5 Publishing|isbn=9781621870913|via=Google Books}}</ref> The dogs were often confused or unable to hold the scent when this occurred, and would mill about. 
This led to the development of [[treeing]] hounds by hunters and dog breeders. Foundation dogs were chosen for a keen sense of smell, the ability to track an animal independent of human commands and, most importantly, to follow an animal both on the ground and when it took to a tree.<ref name="AKC" /> [[Bloodhound]]s specifically were added to many coonhound lines to enhance the ability to track. 

Coonhounds can hunt individually or as a pack. Often, hunters do not chase their quarry along with the hounds, unlike organized foxhunting, but wait and listen to the distinctive baying to determine if the prey has been treed.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YZfkcCtOUHwC&pg=PA107|title=Hunting Arkansas: The Sportsman's Guide to Natural State Game|first=Keith B.|last=Sutton|date=11 December 2017|publisher=University of Arkansas Press|isbn=9781557287199|access-date=11 December 2017|via=Google Books}}</ref> Coonhounds are excellent at hunting all manner of prey if trained properly.<ref>{{cite news|title=American English Coonhound Breed Information|url=http://dogsaholic.com/breeds/profiles/american-english-coonhound.html|website=Dogsaholic.com|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref>[[File:I tree.jpg|thumb|Coonhounds were bred for [[treeing]] behavior, as exhibited by this Redbone Coonhound.]]

===Memorial===
Established in 1937, the [[Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard]] is located in [[Colbert County, Alabama]]. It is used specifically for the burial of certified coonhounds.<ref name=coondogcem>{{cite web|url=http://www.coondogcemetery.com|title=Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard - Cemetery|website=Coondogcemetery.com|access-date=12 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="hsvt140819">{{cite news |first=Kelly |last=Kazek |newspaper=[[The Huntsville Times]] |location=[[Huntsville, AL]] |title=Legendary Coon Dog Cemetery to once again host Labor Day celebration with live music, crafts, barbecue |url=http://www.al.com/living/index.ssf/2014/08/legendary_coon_dog_cemetery_to.html |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=August 20, 2014}}</ref>