Are you looking for a breed that is Made in the USA?
If so, the Bluetick Coonhound might be the right dog for you, particularly if you’re familiar with his close cousin, the Black and Tan Coonhound, also an “American” breed!
Like all hounds, foxhounds or coonhounds, the Bluetick Coonhound is going to have a great sense of smell, and once he gets “wind” of an attractive scent, he will find and follow the trail no matter how long or how difficult it may be. This is why these guys are so popular among hunters, particularly in the Southern parts of the United States.
But that’s not all…
The Blue Tick also has a distinctive look, making him very easy to pick out of a crowd and, in our opinion, quite handsome. And while these dogs are generally pretty fun and upbeat, just like many other dog breeds, they aren’t always the “best” pet for every dog owner. This is why, in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a Bluetick Coonhound so that if you are considering purchasing a Bluetick puppy six months from now, you won’t regret that you did!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Bluetick Coonhound Dog Breed Facts
Country of Origin: USA
Original Purpose: Hunting Dog
Height: 21 to 27 inches tall
Weight: 45 to 80 pounds
Life Span: 12 to 14 years
Dog Breed Classification: Hound
Bluetick Hound Origins
While it is true that the Bluetick Coonhound was developed in the Southern United States in the early 18th century, this dog’s bloodline comes from a long line of accomplished hunting breeds, including the French Grand Bleu de Gascoigne and the English Foxhound. It was during the Early 18th century that hunters throughout the South “experimented” with several different dog breeds in hopes of creating a more robust and compact hunter that would be capable of keeping up with the hunt while also being able to fit into some “small” and “tricky” situations.
And one of the…
The dog breeds that “stuck” due to these “experiments” was the Bluetick Coonhound. While it may be true that the Bluetick Coonhound may not be as fast as some of his close southern cousin hounds, few can argue that the Bluetick’s uncanny ability to pick up a trail and keep that trail to the catch is unrivaled!
Bluetick Coonhound Acknowledgements
Despite this dog’s popularity throughout the Southern States, it has taken a while to be “officially” recognized. For example, while it is true that the United Kennel Club decided to recognize the breed as a part of the English Coonhound breed in 1905, it wasn’t considered a separate breed until 1946. While this frustrated many Bluetick owners, it was nothing compared to the fact that the American Kennel Club (AKC) didn’t “officially” recognize the breed until 2009! We guess you can’t say that the AKC was biased toward this dog because he is “made in America.”
Physical Characteristics
The Bluetick is a big dog – he weighs 45 to 80 pounds and stands 21 to 27 inches tall. You’ll generally find that the males of this breed tend to be a bit larger than the females (but not by all that much). He is also a classically good-looking dog, in our opinion. Serious and professional, this dog has a look about him, implying that he knows what he is doing.
Their coat…
They cIt can vary in color, but we will be sure to have a dark blue hue marked with black spots all along their backs, ears, and sides. Most will also have solid black coloring along the head and ears with tan markings over the eyes and cheeks. That said, it’s pretty fair to say that no two Bluetick Coonhounds will look the same. But be warned, even though the Bluetick Coonhounds’ coats are smooth and silky and don’t require much grooming, like many other “hounds,” you may find that your Bluetick may smell a bit “houndy” himself.
That’s why…
It would be best if you gave him a good bath every weekend to keep his strong odor under control. In this respect, he is pretty similar to other hounds, such as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (also called the Blue Gascon) from France, except that the French breed has black spots on white skin.
(NOTE: The Bluetick Hound should not be confused with the Bluetick Rat Terrier – an entirely different breed obtained from crossing the Bluetick Coonhound and Rat Terrier.)
Personality and Temperament
Today’s popularity of the Bluetick Coonhounds should speak volumes about just how great a companion animal this breed can be. After all, a lot has changed in the US since the early 1800s, and while many folks like to hunt recreationally, hunting is no longer a way of life for most. Yet this dog breed continues to be very popular today. This is because the Bluetick Coonhound is a great companion and can make a great family pet.
You see…
Although the Bluetick is finally bred to be a hunter, it is a fun and festive dog. It might not seem like it at first sight, but the Blue Tick is a hilarious and playful dog.
He loves his human family, and he enjoys their company. Blueticks are the kinds of dogs that want to be with their owners all the time, which is why today, the Bluetick is as much a family dog and a companion dog as a hunting dog.
He will…
Do you want to sit in the back seat as you drive the car? He will want to sleep at the foot of your bed and follow you anywhere. These guys will have a “healthy” skepticism of strangers while eagerly accepting anyone you approve of. But they won’t want to spend “all day” sitting on the couch with you. These guys were still bred to work and hunt. If you want to be the proud owner of a happy Bluetick Coonhound, you must give your guy plenty of time to run and play.
And you should be aware…
Everything else about your Bluetick behavior will stem from how much time you allow them to burn off steam. You see, a bored Bluetick can be a destructive Bluetick. So just be sure he gets the exercise he needs, and you should be fine because the good news is that these guys are pretty smart and love to receive your praise and attention, which makes them great students when it comes time to train your Bluetick puppy. So just be sure to start their training when they are young, keep your training positive and engaging, and you’ll likely be amazed at how quickly they learn.
Lastly…
Chances are, it doesn’t matter how well you train your Bluetick Coonhound puppy. If they pick up something “irresistible,” they will likely want to chase it. This is why you should always keep your BlueTick on a leash whenever you don’t want to chase after him for several miles or days!
Potential Health Issues
The Bluetick Hound is one of the healthiest dog breeds, but no dog can be perfectly healthy. There will always be some health issues you cannot predict can affect this breed. Bluetick Coonhound health issues, such as…
Unfortunately, treating some of these conditions can be a bit expensive. This is why even though Bluetick Coonhounds tend to be pretty healthy, we here at IndulgeYourPet always like to recommend that folks take a moment and consider purchasing a pet insurance policy for their new family member. Illnesses aren’t the only things that affect your pet’s health; they could also be involved in an accident or suffer from a bite from another animal. This is particularly true for the Border Terrier, who isn’t afraid to take on a challenge.
Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?
No, probably not. But how will you know if you don’t at least know what it might cost to get insured? This is why we decided to write our Best Pet Insurance Companies article so that you can get an idea if purchasing a pet insurance policy is “right” for you!
