Are you ready to get yourself a best friend for life? The Bluetick Coonhound can be your perfect companion, be it hunting, traveling, or whatever you like. There’s a calmness on their face that can melt anyone’s heart at a glance. Whether or not this breed is suitable for you, you can only find out after reading till the end.
| Breed Name | Bluetick Coonhound |
| Other Name | Huckleberry Hound |
| Dog Breed Type | Hound dogs |
| Origin | United States, Louisiana |
| Parent Breeds | American Foxhound, English Foxhound, French Grand bleu de Gascogne hound |
| Height | 23-30 inches |
| Weight | 45-100 pounds |
| Life Expectancy | 10-12 years |
| Coat Type | Glossy coat |
| Common Colors | Bluetick |
| Grooming Needs | Medium to high |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Temperament | Friendly, Active, Smart |
| Apartment Living | Not recommended for apartment living |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes |
| Health Concerns | Autoimmune thyroiditis, Hip dysplasia, Luxating patellas |
| Overall Health | Healthy |
| Intelligence Level | High |
| Trainability | Difficult to train |
| Energy Level | High |
| Activity | Active |
| Litter Size | 7 puppies |
Breed Characteristics
Adaptability 3 stars
Adaptive to apartment living 2 stars
Suitable for new owners 2 stars
Sensitivity range 5 stars
Comfortable being alone 2 stars
Comfortable with cold weather 3 stars
Comfortable with hot weather 3 stars
All about friendliness 4 stars
Lovable with family 5 stars
Kid-friendly 5 stars
Dog-friendly 4 stars
Frank with strangers 3 stars
Grooming and Health Requirements 3 stars
Shedding quantity 2 stars
Drooling capacity 2 stars
Effortless to groom 5 stars
Overall health 4 stars
Capable of weight gain 3 stars
Size 3 stars
Trainability 4 stars
Effortless to train 2 stars
Intelligence 4 stars
Capable of biting 3 stars
Tendency to attack prey 4 stars
Urge to howl or bark 4 stars
Wanderlust personality 5 stars
Physical requirements 5 stars
Energy range 5 stars
Intensity 4 stars
Exercise requirements 5 stars
Playful personality 5 stars
Vital Statistics
DOG BREED GROUP: HOUND DOGS
HEIGHT: 23-30 INCHES
WEIGHT: 45-100 POUNDS
LIFE EXPECTANCY: 10-12 YEARS
Highlights
Behind the glossy body of the Bluetick Coonhound, there’s a friendly dog who has the talent of becoming anyone’s best friend. They are said to have a cold nose and are the happiest in the woods, where they get to chase different smells. These dogs look so adorable with their droopy ears, but they have alert eyes. They are full of energy until they drain out and start dozing near your feet. New owners might not be able to handle such a magnificent breed. Making a Bluetick Coonhound a part of your family means finding creative ways to keep them entertained and satisfied.
A large fenced yard or even a yard is enough to keep these giant fur balls happy. These dogs like to follow their nose and experience new adventures. An owner who understands that their dog’s detective nose can also mean trouble is capable of handling this breed.
The Bluetick Coonhounds stand out in a crowd because of their unique coat and their name suit their coat. They have coarse, short coats with slender but muscular bodies behind this coat. They have charming, long, and dark-colored ears that give them the appearance of a hound. Their catlike, well-arched paws show that they are ready to follow any interesting smell quickly.
History
The Bluetick Coonhound, like all coonhounds, is an American scenthound. But it’s said that this breed’s origin date back before the nation’s founding. Their traces can be found in the English foxhound and the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne dog. Being a scenthound, hunting and chasing prey with their strong nose is the Bluetick’s true nature. Their breeding was done to track the quarry with their detective’s nose and force the animal to jump the tree (called treeing) to help the hunter easily hunt the animal. The earlier versions of the Bluetick were the frontiersmen’s favorite. When the Bluetick wasn’t busy hunting raccoons, these dogs would help their handlers with big targets like lynxes, black bears, and even cougars.
The Bluetick breeders wanted the dog to have a cold nose that could track the days old or miles away the scent. They still have this ability making them suitable for search and rescue work. This breed has been the Tennessee state dog and the University of Tennessee’s mascot since 1993. In 2009, this breed got recognition from the American Kennel Club.
Size
The Bluetick Coonhounds are gigantic breeds that grow tall between 24-30 inches. Their huge size combined with their energetic nature is a deadly combination. Dogs usually don’t realize how big they are and can accidentally knock over things. That’s why you should train them from a young age to avoid such accidents.
Personality
The Bluetick Coonhounds make great pets for a house that can fulfill their needs and keep them happy. Their breeding was done to make them scenthound machines that can track even the faintest smells. If they don’t get enough opportunities or an environment where they can use their natural talents, these dogs don’t feel very happy. That said, you should be able to let your dog use their natural abilities.
The Bluetick Coonhound can be your perfect travel or jogging partner, thanks to their detective’s nose. These dogs are the happiest when outdoors and will chase anything that smells interesting. This means they have a high chance of getting lost. That’s why you should always keep them on a leash and provide a fenced backyard for them to play around.
They are athletic but heavy sleepers too. Overall, you can call the Bluetick Coonhound an adaptable breed. If you ever see your Bluetick howling, barking, or bawling, consider it as them giving you a signal that they are bored. These dogs also bark when they feel excited or curious.
These dogs love investigating; that’s why open grounds excite them. They need an owner that can provide them with an active lifestyle even inside the house. Their nose tends to direct their mind, and when they start listening to their nose, they become very dedicated. Their nose can even get them lost in an unknown place; that’s why you should train them to come when called their name. You can also use a tracker on their collar in case they go too far; you can easily track them.
Health
Regular vet visits can help to maintain the health of your Bluetick Coonhound. They are a healthy breed, but there are some health problems you should know before making them a part of your family.
- Luxating patellas
- Autoimmune thyroiditis
- Hip dysplasia
Care
Though the coat of a Bluetick Coonhound looks shiny, it doesn’t provide that much protection during a cold climate. They make great travel partners, so you should equip your dog with warm and cute sweaters while taking them outside during winter. Nail trimming twice a week should be done or when you notice nails growing too long. This will keep their catlike paws healthy. You don’t have to provide them with expensive grooming sessions with a professional groomer. Instead, invest in quality exercise gear to keep these dogs healthy. Long-line leashes, exciting toys, and body harnesses are some of the equipment needed. Never let your dog roam freely, as they don’t know where they’re going; they’re just following their nose.
Feeding and Diet
Every dog, like the Bluetick Coonhound, deserves a high-quality diet. Now what kind of and how much food you should give them depends on a lot of factors like their age, health, size, and upbringing. A vet will check your dog’s special dietary requirements and then make a diet plan accordingly. No matter how much your dog demands human food with their doll eyes, you should never even give a bite to them. Also, never leave food on the table or any chewable items as interesting smells excite them.
Coat color and grooming
The name Bluetick was given to this breed because of its unique coat pattern. You’ll notice blue, white, black, and tan colors covering the coat with small black spots all around. These spots are known as tickling. Their head and ears have black color while the chest, lower legs, feet, and tail might have red markings. It isn’t a tough job to groom a Bluetick Coonhound. Simply brushing once a week is enough to maintain their coat. As they have drop ears, you should clean their ears from time to time and get them checked by a vet too.
Children and other pets
The Bluetick Coonhounds need proper socialization and training when it comes to children. They are usually not aggressive with other dogs, but socialization will help them to have calm behavior.
Shedding
The Bluetick Coonhounds shed moderately throughout the year.
Male vs. Female attitude
The gender of a Bluetick Coonhound doesn’t define its attitude.
Exercise
As these dogs have loads of energy to burn off, you should prepare yourself to dedicate at least an hour of your time to get them proper exercise.
Little known facts
The Bluetick Coonhounds are known for their “singing” abilities, which were particularly useful during hunting.
FAQ on breed
- Where do the Bluetick Coonhound dog breeds come from?
United States
- What is the best diet routine for a Bluetick Coonhound?
Divide your dog’s food time into two meals a day.
- How much exercise is required for a Bluetick Coonhound?
One hour-long exercise daily