Though they have short haired coats, coonhounds shed, possibly more than you would expect. Black and tan coonhounds are known to be especially heavy shedders and as a breed coonhounds typically have a strong dog odor. This is because they are bred as outdoor dogs so their coats have quite a lot of odor causing oils in them. Although the purpose of these oils is to repel dirt and water, they can often leave them with an unpleasant smell. The wrinkles in their skin can also trap dirt particles and moisture which may worsen this odor.
You may find that this odor never really goes away despite the efforts that you apply to grooming and bathing them. To help reduce the noticeability of the scent, it is recommended that you wash your coonhound at least once a month using an odor reducing shampoo. You will likely find that the shampoo eases the smell for a short period of time but doesn’t completely remove it. After a couple of days, you may notice that it has reappeared.