NCHuntnFever,
consider a cur, either blackmouth or mountain cur for huntin' coons there. There are some guys there that do it. Check out
www.sqdog.com and go to the forums section. When you get to the forums, read the message board, training board, pictures board and all that to get a feel for it. I know that this is a "squirrel dog" site, but a whole lot of these guys hunt the coons, too. Many of them hunt there curs in the day for squirrel and coons at night and the dogs get it done. Look at the pics and see how a good old cur looks. They are the grittiest things around and they hunt a little different than a hound. Most aren't as stubborn and like to check back with their owners. They are very companion-oriented and like your company and hunting for you. I think you could find a hound that would suit you, of course, but just give the website a chance and look at some of the pictures and see how you like these good old tree dogs. Let me know what you think. -MIKE