The True Meaning of the HTX Title

Tailgate Talk

February 15, 2016

Source: Corey Gruver

As published in February, 2016 Coonhound Bloodlines.

Titles are an ultimate goal for many breeders and handlers in today’s world. For a lot of us, titles are important in possibly determining the worth and ability of a coonhound. Whether we look for hunt titles or show titles, the presence, or lack thereof, can become a more potent decision making tool than what you may bargain for. As a whole, a title can speak on many levels, often painting a picture of the time and dedication put forth by the individuals behind a particular dog into making it into something greater than what it was. With many different degrees a coonhound can earn competing in different events United Kennel Club has to offer, things can get pretty confusing if you aren’t exactly sure what they all mean.

The title of Hunt Test Excellence is defined as three simple letters, H-T-X. An HTX title signifies that a coonhound has successfully completed three different Hunt Test Evaluations under three separate evaluators. To pass a Hunt Test, a coonhound is required to hunt for one hour and successfully tree a real live raccoon, without committing any of the listed standards faults that are defined on the evaluation sheet.

Many people translate the HTX title to mean different things. Breeders can use the presence of a title to make a better selection of which stud they would like to choose to utilize in their breeding programs. Others may consider the presence of an HTX title when considering to buy a dog that is for sale or available for trial. To the owner of those dogs, they may wear it like a badge of honor, a token of all the wonderful memories that were made while trying to obtain the title itself, and all the great people and memories that were met and found along the way.

In the end, a title’s true meaning will determined by you and you alone. As you begin to grow and learn about coonhounds, or particular programs offered by United Kennel Club, that finite definition will become more obvious to you. Whatever the meaning is for a title, we hope you enjoy your time competing in the Hunt Test program. These events are truly a wonderful experience to take advantage of, allowing you as the participant to create the meaning you would like to see behind the title.