Description

The Bluetick Coonhound is a large, athletic, and muscular scenthound, known for its distinctive blue-ticked coat pattern. This coat, characterized by black ticking on a white background, gives the dog its signature navy blue appearance. The coat is moderately coarse and glossy, which is typical for medium-length coats. The Bluetick's head is carried up, and its tail is carried over the back, indicative of its confident nature. The breed is known for its blue coloring, which covers the body and is interspersed with variously shaped black spots on the back, ears, and sides, with a preference for more blue than black on the body. Black should predominate on the head and ears.

Bluetick Coonhounds can come with or without markings. Those with markings will have brown markings above the eyes, along both sides of the muzzle, on the chest, and down all of the legs. A ticked blaze typically runs up the face. The breed's size ranges from 21 inches to 27 inches tall at the shoulder, with males weighing approximately 55 to 80 pounds and females averaging 45 to 65 pounds. Their feet are cat-like, rounded with well-arched toes, and their paws are larger than those of most other breeds. The rear legs have a moderate bend at the hocks, and all legs should be straight when viewed from the front or rear.

Temperament

Bluetick Coonhounds are bred to be hunting dogs, which makes them athletic, hardy, and in need of a full-time job or activity such as hunting, obedience, or agility to stay happy. This breed is known for its friendly personality and is generally well-behaved with children. However, due to their strong sense of smell, they can be prone to getting into trouble by sniffing out food and garbage if not monitored closely. The breed is often mistaken for being aggressive because of its signature howl when greeting strangers, but this is simply the dog's way of getting to know its subjects.

Bluetick Coonhounds are highly vocal, a trait bred into them for hunting. They are intelligent and have the uncanny ability for problem-solving, which makes training them a challenge. They are mindful and loyal to their owners, but they should be monitored around cats or other small animals due to their hunting instincts. Their strong sense of smell makes them excellent hunting/tracking dogs, and if allowed, they will tree almost any animal smaller than they are. Despite their hunting instincts, Blueticks are generally easier to handle in the field than some other coonhounds.

Origin and History

The Bluetick Coonhound originated in Louisiana and was developed from a combination of breeds, including the Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound of southwestern France, the English Foxhound, the cur dog, the American Foxhound, and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. This blend of breeds resulted in a dog with the desired traits for hunting raccoons, such as a strong sense of smell, agility, and endurance. Bluetick Coonhounds were first registered in the United Kennel Club under the English Foxhound and Coonhound categories but were recognized as a separate breed in 1946. The breed is now recognized by the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club, and in April 2009, the American Kennel Club accepted the breed, making them eligible to compete in AKC coonhound events.

One subgroup of Bluetick Coonhounds, known as the Gascon blues, is larger and more "houndy" looking than the standard Bluetick. Gascon blues have a minimum height of 27 inches and a maximum of 30 inches, as per the American Blue Gascon Hound Association's breed standard. This subgroup is also referred to as "old-fashioned" Blueticks due to their appearance and "colder" nose, or slower style of tracking, compared to other modern coonhound breeds.

Health and Genetics

In normal conditions, Bluetick Coonhounds get along well with children and are generally friendly and mindful dogs. However, their strong sense of smell can lead to trouble, such as getting into food or garbage. The breed is often mistaken for being aggressive, as they will greet strangers with their signature howl and sniff them until satisfied. This behavior is simply their way of getting to know new people. Since Blueticks are driven by their sense of smell, they make excellent hunting/tracking dogs but should be monitored around small animals.

Notable Bluetick Coonhounds

Bluetick Coonhounds have made appearances in various media, literature, and music. Smokey, the mascot of the University of Tennessee, is a Bluetick Coonhound, showcasing the breed's popularity as a mascot. The breed has also been featured in popular culture, such as in the television show "Airwolf," where a Bluetick Coonhound named Tet was the companion of the main character, Stringfellow Hawke. In the novel "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls, a Bluetick Coonhound named Old Blue is a companion to the Pritchard boys, further highlighting the breed's presence in literature.

Bluetick Coonhounds have also been the subject of songs, with references in songs by artists such as George Jones, Blake Shelton, and Carrie Underwood. The breed has even been mentioned in a song by Florida Georgia Line and in a song by Hardy. In the small town of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, a Bluetick Coonhound named Boone was elected as the dog mayor in November 2024, showcasing the breed's presence in community life.

Buying a Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is a large, active dog that requires a home with a secure yard for exercise and mental stimulation.

When looking for a Bluetick Coonhound, it is advisable to visit the Bluetick Coonhound Breeders of America or the American Blue Gascon Hound Association for information on reputable breeders and resources for the breed. Additionally, considering the breed's intelligence and need for mental stimulation, owners may want to consider training and activities such as obedience or agility, which can provide a great outlet for the dog's energy and intellect.