Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound has a sweet temperament and an affectionate nature. This makes it a great choice for a family with children. However, when these dogs are tracking down a scent, they don’t let anything get in their way. Their ability to find and stay with a scent is remarkable. This is why Bluetick Coonhounds, aka Blueticks, were used by American frontiersmen to hunt raccoons, boar, cougar, and even bears. Blueticks are also known for their remarkable coat.

Blueticks are playful, friendly, and thrive on activity, but they can be stubborn and vocal, reflecting their strong hunting instincts. These energetic canines are devoted to their families and love to run around looking for the newest scent in the neighborhood!

History and Origins

Hounds, such as Whippets and Greyhounds, use their sight to locate their prey, while others, like Bluetick Coonhounds and their relatives, rely on an exceptional sense of smell. These scent hounds were bred to track down warm-blooded animals.

The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of American origin with historical roots said to go back before the founding of the United States. It is believed that the Bluetick is descended from French staghounds that were gifted to George Washington by his close friend, the Marquis de Lafayette. To develop the breed into an efficient hunter, English foxhounds and other hound breeds were crossed in. This resulted in a hardy and detail-oriented hunter with an impressive ability to track scents even after hours or days.

The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of dog that was originally used by frontiersmen to hunt raccoons. However, they were often employed as large-game hunters, hunting animals such as wild boar, bear, lynx, and cougar. Fred Gipson, author of “Old Yeller,” wrote about the breed’s remarkable abilities, describing them as having the ability to detect a week-old trail and run it for 30 hours, as well as possessing the courage to tackle any animal.

The Bluetick Coonhound has not experienced many transformations since the time of Gipson. They remain a favorite of coon hunters and are still valued in Southern culture. Since 1953, the Bluetick Coonhound has been the mascot of the University of Tennessee’s athletics program.

Appearance & Size

A Bluetick is a large dog with a short, shiny coat and a unique, bluish, mottled pattern. The Bluetick Coonhound is built for endurance and speed, which are essential traits for a hunting dog.

Blueticks are fully grown at around 15 to 18 months. Puppies typically weigh about 10 lbs (4.5 kg) at 8 weeks.

Temperament & Behavior

These dogs have friendly personalities. Their tail always seems to be wagging! Loyalty is one of the main traits of this dog. Whether it’s on a run in the woods or napping on the sofa, this dog likes to be with the family. Blueticks are known for their energetic behavior. Chasing a scent down in the woods takes speed!

One of the many facts a family should know about this dog is that it has an unmistakable voice. This hunting dog was bred to bark, howl, and bay when tracking down the scent of an animal. So, its natural inclination is to bark. Socialization helps this dog to learn when to bark. On the flip side, its big voice makes for an effective watchdog!

Blueticks are great with children when properly socialized. They should, however, be closely supervised when around other pets. Blueticks have a strong prey drive.

Pros and Cons of Owning a Bluetick Coonhound

Pros:

• Playful and family-friendly
• Moderate shedding
• Excellent watchdog
• Loyal and affectionate

Cons:

• Prone to separation anxiety
• Stubborn during training
• High energy requires daily exercise
• May chase smaller animals

Health & Common Issues

These coonhounds are prone to a few health issues. Hip dysplasia is one of them. This issue is caused when joints don’t develop properly. It causes limping and sometimes permanent lameness. Bloat is another health issue of these dogs. Bloat occurs when the dog’s stomach fills with gas and becomes twisted, cutting off the blood supply to that organ. A distended abdomen and vomiting are signs of bloat. These dogs are also prone to cataracts. Cloudy eyes are a sign of cataracts.

Adequate exercise and a quality grooming routine all contribute to keeping a pet healthy. Regular vet visits are also important, as well as a balanced diet with adequate portion control to prevent obesity and bloat.

Care & Grooming

Diet:

An adult dog of this size needs the proper nutrition to stay healthy. Furthermore, Bluetick puppies need the right diet to develop into healthy adults. Consider these nutritional recommendations:

Bluetick Coonhound puppy food: Calcium is essential in a puppy’s diet. Calcium strengthens bones and helps prevent hip dysplasia. Protein contributes to healthy tissue and muscle development. Fat gives puppies energy so they can burn off any excess calories to avoid excess weight. Vitamin A supports healthy vision in puppies, which can prevent cataracts later on in life.

Bluetick Coonhound adult dog food: One of the most important facts to remember is that an adult dog needs many of the same nutrients as a puppy, but in different amounts. Protein supports continued healthy tissue and muscle growth. This helps avoid hip dysplasia. A limited amount of carbohydrates in an adult Bluetick’s diet provides this high-energy dog with the fuel to run around. Calcium continues to strengthen bones as this dog grows older. Vitamin E supports the health of organs, which can be useful in preventing bloat.

Also, note that this breed, like any other dog prone to bloat, needs its owners to monitor meals carefully to ensure sensible portions and adequate time between exercise and eating.

Grooming

How much do Bluetick Coonhounds shed? These dogs shed a moderate amount of hair. Brushing a Bluetick once per week can get rid of loose and dead hair.

A grooming glove is an excellent grooming tool to use on a Bluetick. This glove is soft on its skin and coat while removing dead hair. A glove can be used on the dog’s legs and face as well. A soft boar’s hair bristle brush can be used on its short-haired coat to give it some shine. Start brushing this dog at its head and move toward its tail.

The dog’s nails need to be trimmed once per month or so because long nails can interfere with its energetic running and jumping. Also, regularly check its ears to prevent infections.

Training & Exercise

These dogs are intelligent but can be stubborn during obedience training. It’s best to conduct short obedience training sessions with lots of treats and praise for learned lessons. Remember, a Bluetick Coonhound is easily distracted by other animals. So, conducting obedience training in a quiet area is a good idea. Early socialization is key to family-friendly behavior.

Exercise

Since the Bluetick Coonhound is an energetic dog, it needs a moderate to high amount of exercise. An hour of exercise daily is ideal for keeping this breed in a healthy condition.

These dogs love exploring the woods and fields. Of course, an owner should be sure their Bluetick will respond to the call to come back when exercise time is over. Playing chase with a ball, fetching items, and running around a backyard are all great activities for this dog.

A Bluetick Coonhound is not a good choice for a person who lives in an apartment. In terms of size, this is a large breed of dog. It needs space to move around without bumping into things and people. A home with a spacious, fenced-in yard is a more suitable option for this hunting dog.

Family Compatibility

This dog has a gentle, friendly temperament that makes it a good match for a family with children. A socialized Bluetick Coonhound is a fun, playful addition to a household with kids of all ages. However, due to their size and energy, supervision around young children and small pets is recommended.

Bluetick Coonhound Puppies

As puppies, Bluetick Coonhounds should get daily exercise in an enclosed area outdoors to build their muscles, stretch their legs, and explore the environment for scents. Early training, socialization, and exposure to family life help build a well-behaved adult dog.

Similar Breeds

Other breeds of dogs similar to Bluetick Coonhounds include the American English Coonhound, Bassett Hound, and the Bavarian Mountain Hound.

• American English Coonhound: The American English Coonhound is similar in appearance to the Bluetick and is categorized in the hound group as well. However, an adult male Bluetick Coonhound weighs more than a male American English Coonhound.
• Bassett Hound: Though the Bassett Hound and Bluetick are in the hound group, a Bassett Hound is smaller and shorter. Also, while a Bluetick needs to get out and take a run every day, a Bassett Hound simply requires a walk through the neighborhood.
• Bavarian Mountain Hound: This is another hunting dog that is similar in size and appearance to a Bluetick Coonhound, but the Bavarian Mountain Hound and small children do not mix very well.

Famous Bluetick Coonhounds

There are some notable examples of Bluetick Coonhounds in the entertainment world and other places in our society. Some examples include:

• A Bluetick Coonhound named Smokey is the mascot of the University of Tennessee
• The cartoon character Huckleberry Hound is a Bluetick Coonhound
• Bando in the movie Homeward Bound II was a Bluetick

Fun Facts

• “Bluetick” refers to the bluish mottled pattern of the coat.
• They have a “cold nose,” meaning they can track scents that are hours or even days old.
• A Bluetick can run long distances, making them endurance hunters.