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Bluetick Coonhound Breed Profile – Choosing a Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed with which most dog lovers are fairly familiar. A famous Bluetick Coonhound is Smokey, the sports mascot at the University of Tennessee. By far, the breed is most popular for its keen hunting skills

The Bluetick Coonhound is a member of the American Kennel Club’s miscellaneous class in the Foundation Stock Service (FSS). The FSS is the AKC’s record-keeping system for rare breeds which are not yet fully AKC recognized.

History and Origin

The Bluetick Coonhound is thought to have originated in Louisiana by the breeding of foxhounds, French hounds, English hounds, and Curs. The Bluetick was originally recognized by the United Kennel Club under the English Foxhound and Coonhound. In 1946, the UKC recognized the Bluetick Coonhound as its own breed.

Today the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club also recognize the breed, and Bluetick enthusiasts are working to get the breed fully recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Appearance and Size

The Bluetick Coonhound is a sturdy, muscular dog with a deep chest, long ears, and medium-length tail. Males are 24 to 40 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 55 to 100 pounds. Females are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulders and weigh 45 to 85 pounds.

This breed has a coarse, short, glossy coat, which is black, white, tan, and “blue”. A black and white mottling creates the blue appearance. The coat may be accented with black spots on the torso and ears, and there may be brown markings on the face and legs.

Personality

The Bluetick Coonhound is an extremely devoted, talented hunter, well-known for his ability to tree his prey. Being very athletic, both in strength and endurance, and passionate about the sport of hunting, it is important to give this breed and outlet for his energy and drive.

A friendly breed, the Bluetick Coonhound loves and is devoted to his family. They are attentive and alert, often serving as guardians to their families. The breed is infamous for being a persistent sniffer, inspecting guests adamantly. They are also known for drooling, especially when near food, and vocalizing, howling and barking often.

These dogs can be aggressive towards other dogs and strangers, but should do fine with appropriate socialization at a young age.

Home and Family Relations

It is ideal for this breed to be paired with someone who has the time and resources to provide adequate exercise to avoid boredom and destructive behaviors. Though relatively inactive indoors, the Bluetick loves to spend time outside. A fenced yard and frequent walks are suggested; apartment-dwelling is not for these dogs. Do NOT allow Blueticks off leash in an unsafe area, as they will probably catch a scent and run.

Bluetick Coonhounds usually do well with older children who understand how to behave around dogs. Because of this breeds hunting drive, he should not live with small pets that could be mistaken for prey.

Grooming

Weekly brushing and bathing as needed will help keep shedding and odors to a minimum.

Training

Bluetick Coonhounds are intelligent, but can be stubborn to train. It is important to begin socializing and training this breed at an early age. Excellent problem solving skills can make this breed a challenge to handle. They may find their way out of fenced yards, always manage to get into a trash can, etc.

Diseases and Disorders

The Bluetick Coonhound is a healthy, hardy breed. Without appropriate exercise they can be prone to obesity and because of their size and deep chest, they are a candidate for gastric dilatation volvulus

Hip dysplasia that occurs when the hip joint develops abnormally and can result in pain, lameness and arthritis.

Cataracts are opacities within the lens of the eye that affect vision.

Globoid cell Leukodystrophy A storage disease, in which there is a deficiency of the enzyme ß-galactocerebrosidase. Symptoms include: Weakness, tremors and lack of coordination.

Their average life span is 11 – 12 years.

We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.