Bluetick Coonhound

Bluetick Coonhound Puppies

Bluetick Coonhound puppies are known for their striking appearance, featuring a distinctive coat of blue and black ticking that gives them a unique charm. With their expressive eyes and long ears, these playful pups are not only adorable but also possess a friendly, affectionate nature. They thrive on human interaction and are eager to please, making them great companions for families.

With proper care, these loyal dogs grow into devoted family members, ready for adventures both indoors and outdoors.

Temperament & Intelligence Of The Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is known for its hardy and athletic nature. These dogs thrive when given tasks such as hunting, agility, and obedience. They can be stubborn and high-energy, which makes training a challenge.

While intelligent, their problem-solving skills can outshine their ability to follow commands consistently. This breed is naturally vocal, and their loud baying can be mistaken for aggression, especially when greeting strangers.

Due to their strong sense of smell, they might end up following scents to areas they shouldn’t be, such as the garbage or kitchen counters.

Are These Dogs Good For Families?

When properly socialized, Bluetick Coonhounds are excellent with families and show gentleness around children. Their larger size minimizes the risk of injury from children, and their steady temperament prevents accidental knocking over.

These dogs are athletic and need significant daily activity, requiring families to dedicate 1-2 hours for exercise and training. This keeps them balanced and content, ensuring they remain gentle companions for children.           

Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?

Bluetick Coonhounds generally enjoy companionship with dogs of similar or larger sizes. They are naturally social and benefit from early socialization to enhance positive interactions. Their friendly disposition is more evident when they interact with other large dogs.

However, these dogs are unsuitable for homes with small pets due to their strong instinct to chase and track. This behavior, rooted in their breed’s history, poses a risk to cats, smaller dogs, and tiny animals like hamsters or rabbits, potentially leading to accidents.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Bluetick Coonhound requires a high-protein diet rich in quality meat suited to its active lifestyle. Given its propensity for food-driven behavior and problem-solving skills, which might lead it to steal food, managing its calorie intake is vital to preventing obesity. Secure storage of food is crucial for its health.

Avoid feeding them grapes and nuts, and ensure they get regular exercise to avoid weight gain. For these energetic dogs, monitoring food consumption closely and providing plenty of physical activities is essential. A balanced diet and regular exercise will keep your Bluetick Coonhound healthy and active.

Exercise

The Bluetick Coonhound is an energetic breed that requires regular and frequent exercise. They should get at least an hour of physical activity each day. This can include long walks on a leash or intense play sessions. Playing fetch is a favorite activity for them due to their prey drive. They also excel at agility and tracking exercises, which can help them expend their energy effectively.

When not exercising, Bluetick Coonhounds may appear quite lazy. They can often be found napping, conserving their energy for active playtimes. Expect bursts of activity followed by periods of rest.

Training

Bluetick Coonhounds are brilliant dogs with a knack for problem-solving, though this skill doesn’t necessarily make them obedient. They understand commands but might not follow them due to their stubborn nature. Effectively using treats encourages compliance and should be a frequent technique in training.

Training tips include short and engaging sessions, clear and consistent commands, and rewarding good behavior with treats or praise. While these dogs behave well indoors, their strong tracking instincts can override recall commands, necessitating a leash in unsecured areas.

Grooming

Grooming a Bluetick Coonhound is straightforward due to its short coat, which sheds moderately. Weekly brushing helps manage shedding and maintain a smooth coat, reducing hair on furniture. Bathing is seldom needed, only when the dog gets exceptionally dirty or smelly.

It’s important to regularly trim their quickly growing nails to avoid discomfort and pain during activities. Ear checking and cleaning prevent debris accumulation. Also, maintaining dental hygiene with regular brushing ensures the breed’s overall oral health.

Male Vs. Female

Male Bluetick Coonhounds are typically taller and heavier than females. Males can reach a height of 22-27 inches and weigh between 55-80 pounds, while females usually grow to 21-25 inches and weigh 45-65 pounds. Apart from their physical size, both sexes share the breed’s characteristic traits and temperament, displaying keen hunting abilities and loyalty.

Fact #1: They Are an Original American Dog Breed

The Bluetick Coonhound is a dog breed that originated in the United States. Its lineage dates back to before the country’s founding. These dogs are believed to descend from French staghounds brought over by George Washington, crossed with English Foxhounds and other hound breeds.

Their durability and versatile hunting skills made them a valuable asset for early American frontiersmen. Bluetick Coonhounds were favored for their ability to hunt and track in diverse terrains. This breed has maintained its popularity due to its strong work ethic and loyalty. For many, they represent a rich part of American history and tradition.

Fact #2: They Are Not Actually Blue

Bluetick Coonhounds have a unique appearance that makes people mistakenly think they are blue. The term “bluetick” refers to the specific pattern and visual effect their coat creates. Their fur is predominantly black and white.

The black fur intertwines with the white, creating a speckled or “ticked” look that can appear navy. This distinctive pattern gives the breed its characteristic look. Despite the name, these dogs do not have genuinely blue fur. The unique mix of black and white fur gives the impression of a bluish tone.

Fact #3: Bluetick Coonhounds Are Vocal Dogs

Bluetick Coonhounds are well-known for their vocal tendencies. These dogs are not your average barkers; they can produce various sounds, including barks, bays, and bawls, similar to howls. Although barking is instinctual, it can be managed.

Early voice training is crucial, as it can teach your dog to stop barking on command or redirect that energy into different behaviors. While owners should expect their Bluetick Coonhound to remain vocal, training can help reduce unnecessary noise. With patience, their vocalizations can become less of a nuisance and more of a charming trait.

Final Thoughts

The Bluetick Coonhound is an excellent choice for hunters and active families. These dogs require a lot of physical activity to thrive. They are known for being friendly and affectionate, making them a good fit for many families

Their relatively low grooming needs mean that occasional brushing is sufficient to keep their coats in good condition, and they are generally healthy, requiring fewer veterinary visits. However, training a Bluetick Coonhound can be challenging due to their stubbornness. Patience and consistent effort are necessary to help them become well-behaved companions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average weight range for a Bluetick Coonhound?

Bluetick Coonhounds typically weigh between 45 and 80 pounds. Males usually fall on the higher end of this range, while females are often lighter.

What personality traits are typically seen in Bluetick Coonhounds?

Bluetick Coonhounds are generally friendly and affectionate. They are known for their intelligence and high energy levels, making them great companions for active families.

How long do Bluetick Coonhounds generally live?

The average lifespan of a Bluetick Coonhound is around 11 to 12 years.

What are the standard size dimensions of a Bluetick Coonhound?

Adult Bluetick Coonhounds stand about 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder. Males are usually taller and heavier than females.

What variety of colors do Bluetick Coonhounds come in?

Bluetick Coonhounds exhibit a distinctive blue ticked pattern on their coats. They typically have a mix of black and blue fur and may also have tan or white markings.

How often do Bluetick Coonhounds require grooming?

Bluetick Coonhounds have short coats that require minimal grooming. You usually only need to brush them once a week to keep their coats healthy and clean.