Bluetick Coonhound
Your Complete Guide to the Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhound History: An American Hound with French Roots
The Bluetick Coonhound is an American original, developed in the Southern United States, and its history is intertwined with the necessity for skilled night hunters capable of trailing and treeing raccoons and other game. While the exact lineage is debated, it is widely believed that the Bluetick’s ancestry includes French hounds, particularly the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, which were brought to America during colonial times. These French hounds were likely crossed with English Foxhounds and possibly other American hounds to refine their scenting abilities, speed, and adaptability to American terrain.
The name “Bluetick” comes from the breed’s distinctive coat pattern, which results from black fur heavily ticked with white and black hairs, giving an overall blue or mottled appearance. Black markings on the head and ears are also characteristic. Blueticks were prized by hunters for their cold noses (ability to follow old or faint trails), their determination, and their loud, musical bay that allows hunters to track their progress from a distance. While they share a history with other coonhound breeds, Blueticks were specifically bred for their unique traits and were recognized as a distinct breed by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 1905. They were later recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2009.
Bluetick Coonhound Temperament: Loyal, Courageous, and Driven by Scent
The Bluetick Coonhound is known for its loyal, courageous, and friendly temperament. They are generally good-natured dogs that can get along well with children and other dogs, especially if raised together, owing to their pack-hunting heritage. They are intelligent and can be eager to please, but their strong scent drive often takes precedence, making them intensely focused and determined when on a trail. At home, after sufficient exercise, they can be relatively calm and enjoy relaxing with their families.
However, prospective owners must understand the inherent traits of a scent hound. Blueticks are highly driven by their noses and will follow a scent with unwavering focus, often to the exclusion of everything else. This strong instinct makes recall training extremely challenging, and they should generally not be trusted off-leash in unsecured areas. They are also known for their loud, distinctive bay, which can be a beautiful sound to a hunter but may not be appreciated by neighbors in close quarters. Early socialization is important to ensure they are well-adjusted, but their core nature as an independent, scent-driven hound remains strong.
Grooming Your Bluetick Coonhound: Low-Maintenance Coat, Essential Ear Care
The Bluetick Coonhound has a short, dense, and glossy coat that is very low-maintenance in terms of grooming. Their characteristic ticked blue coat requires minimal effort to keep looking its best.
They are considered average shedders. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry mitt or a hound glove is usually sufficient to remove loose dead hair, distribute skin oils, and maintain the coat’s healthy appearance. Baths are needed only occasionally, as their coat tends to stay relatively clean. The most important aspect of their grooming routine is regular and thorough ear care. Like other hounds with long, floppy ears, Blueticks are prone to ear infections (otitis externa) due to moisture and debris getting trapped. Ears should be checked weekly and cleaned as needed with a vet-approved solution. Routine nail trims and dental care are also essential for their overall well-being.
Bluetick Coonhound Exercise: A Driven Hunter Needs to Roam and Sniff
Bluetick Coonhounds are high-energy, athletic dogs with considerable stamina, bred for long nights of trailing game. They require a significant amount of daily exercise to stay physically fit and mentally stimulated. This is not a breed suited for a sedentary lifestyle or confined apartment living; they need ample space and opportunity to use their powerful noses.
Aim for at least one to two hours of vigorous activity per day. Excellent exercise options include:
- Long, brisk walks, jogging, or running alongside a bicycle (once fully mature and conditioned) in natural environments where they can explore scents.
- Off-leash running and exploring in a very large, extremely securely fenced area. Their powerful nose and hunting drive mean they should **never** be trusted off-leash in an unsecured environment as they will follow a scent with unwavering determination.
- Hiking in varied terrain.
- Participating in scent work trials, tracking activities, or competitive coon hunting events (where appropriate and legal).
Without a sufficient outlet for their energy and strong instincts, Bluetick Coonhounds can become bored, restless, and may develop undesirable behaviors such as excessive baying, digging, or escape attempts. They thrive in active homes, ideally with access to ample safe space for running and exploring scents.
Common Bluetick Coonhound Health Issues
The Bluetick Coonhound is generally considered a hardy and healthy breed, developed for resilience and working ability. However, like all breeds, they can be susceptible to certain health conditions. Responsible breeders screen their breeding stock. Potential concerns common to large hounds include:
- Hip Dysplasia: A malformation of the hip joint, common in many medium to large active breeds. Elbow dysplasia can also occur.
- Ear Infections (Otitis Externa): Very common due to their long, floppy ears trapping moisture. Diligent, regular ear cleaning is crucial.
- Bloat (Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus – GDV): A life-threatening emergency common in deep-chested breeds.
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA):** A degenerative eye condition that can lead to blindness.
- Hypothyroidism:** An underactive thyroid gland.
- Autoimmune Thyroiditis:** Another thyroid issue.
Choosing a puppy from a reputable breeder who performs relevant health screenings (hips, elbows, eyes, thyroid, etc.) on their breeding dogs and providing regular veterinary check-ups, diligent ear care, a quality diet, and appropriate exercise contribute to a Bluetick Coonhound’s long-term health.
Training Your Bluetick Coonhound: Engaging a Scent-Driven Intellect
Training a Bluetick Coonhound requires significant patience, consistency, and an understanding of their powerful scent hound nature. They are intelligent and can learn, but their primary motivation is almost always following a scent, which can make them appear stubborn or easily distracted during formal training sessions. They were bred to work somewhat independently while trailing game.
Key aspects of training a Bluetick Coonhound include:
- Early Socialization: Expose your puppy to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, and other animals from a young age to build a confident and well-adjusted adult.
- Positive Reinforcement: They respond best to reward-based training using high-value treats (especially scent-based or very enticing ones), praise, and play. Harsh methods will be counterproductive.
- Keep it Engaging: Their attention will wander if a scent is present. Keep training sessions relatively short and try to incorporate activities that appeal to their senses if possible.
- Recall (“Come” command): This is exceptionally challenging to train reliably due to their powerful nose and desire to follow a trail. It requires extensive, consistent practice in safe, enclosed areas, and even then, they should rarely be trusted off-leash in unsecured environments.
- Leash Training: Essential for managing them on walks when their nose is constantly leading the way.
- Managing Vocalization:** They are prone to baying. Training a “quiet” command can be helpful, but some level of vocalization is inherent.
Their independent spirit and scent-driven nature mean they may not excel in traditional obedience, but with understanding and patience, they can learn basic manners and be delightful companions for owners who appreciate their hound nature and provide them with the activity they need.
Bluetick Coonhound FAQs
Q: Are Bluetick Coonhounds good family pets?
A: For active families who understand their high exercise needs, strong hunting instincts, and vocal nature, Bluetick Coonhounds can be affectionate and good-natured companions. They are generally sociable with other dogs and good with children. However, they are primarily working hounds and thrive when their instincts are engaged.
Q: Do Bluetick Coonhounds bark or howl a lot?
A: Yes, Bluetick Coonhounds are known for their loud and distinctive baying voice. They will use their voice readily when on a scent trail, excited, or sometimes if bored or seeking attention. This is an inherent breed trait that owners must be prepared for.
Q: What does “ticked” mean in their coat description?
A: “Ticked” refers to a coat pattern where small, isolated areas of white hairs occur on a background of a solid color. In Blueticks, this appears as black fur heavily speckled with white and black hairs, creating a mottled blue effect.
Q: Can Bluetick Coonhounds live in apartments?
A: Generally, no. They are high-energy dogs with great stamina and a strong need to follow scents and vocalize. Apartment living is usually not suitable unless the owner is extremely dedicated to providing several hours of vigorous outdoor exercise daily in a safe, enclosed area, and has very tolerant neighbors regarding their loud baying.