Last Updated on August 15, 2023 by Fumipets
All You Need To Know About The Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is a distinctive and charming breed known for its striking appearance, excellent hunting abilities, and loyal nature.
This breed hails from the United States and has a long history as a skilled hunter and companion. Let’s delve into the fascinating world of the Bluetick Coonhound and learn about its characteristics, history, care requirements, and more.
The Bluetick Coonhound
The bluetick coonhound, which is shiny, sleek, and dignified, is a skilled hunting partner who has a good capacity to produce “music” by baying, wailing, and barking when she thinks it essential (which might be often!).
The bluetick is a huge, energetic breed with an almost unrivaled sense of scent that was developed to follow and hunt large prey such as raccoons, wild boar, and even cougars via her nose. These puppies don’t fare well being locked up in the home all day, especially because male canines may grow to be 27 inches long and weigh up to 80 pounds (females are a bit smaller).
The bluetick coonhound is intelligent and energetic until they ultimately need to take a sleep next to your feet. However, they may not be the greatest option for first-time dog owners or those who live in cities since they need a lot of every day, imaginative ways to utilize their senses to be intellectually and physically fit.
They should have daily excursions that let them follow their noses and have access to a large, enclosed space. The bluetick coonhound performs best when her owner is aware of how easily problems might be found by her extraordinary sense of smell.
Appearance
The bluetick coonhound is a sleek and outstanding big breed. Males may reach heights of 22–27 inches and weights of 55–80 pounds. Females generally weigh 45 to 65 pounds and are a few inches shorter.
Coonhounds with the term “bluetick” distinguish out because of their distinctive coat pattern. They have a distinctive appearance because of the little black patches (known as ticking) that cover their coats of black, blue, white, and sometimes brown.
Under their short, dense coats, they are svelte yet muscular. These dogs do shed a little bit, but nothing that a thorough weekly brushing can’t take care of. Although this breed doesn’t need to go to the groomer often, you could discover that your bluetick frequently requires a nice wash after going on extended outdoor outings.
Bluetick coonhounds have very long, darkly pigmented ears that give them a really “houndy” aspect. And their arched, feline-like paws demonstrate how quickly and effectively they can follow an alluring scent.
Temperament
The bluetick coonhound is a determined and intelligent dog that may make a good friend in a family that can accommodate her requirements. These canines were developed to be well-oiled scent hound machines that could follow even the most challenging smell tracks. The bluetick coonhound is not content when not given many opportunity to employ its excellent senses.
This implies that it’s crucial for bluetick owners to provide their pets plenty of opportunities to spend time outside, such as going on hikes or going on daily runs with them. The bluetick is a versatile breed that is both athletic and a great napper.
Any prospective owner of a bluetick should be aware that these canines are skilled “crooners” and will cry out when they feel like it, particularly if they are bored or unoccupied. For a hunter, this “singing” is like listening to lovely music.
Similar to howling, a “bay” is a vocalization that may be more powerful and have different tones and pitches. When the human is far away and wants to catch up to their hound, this particular sound is essential for alerting them to the presence of a creature.
In general, “coonhounds are also known for being quite vocal, and can be known to bay or bark when excited or curious,” says Alicen Tracey, DVM of Den Herder Veterinary Hospital in Waterloo, Iowa, and a member of the Daily Paws Advisory Board.
In a household with access to a large, fenced-in yard and plenty of green room to explore, the bluetick makes a beautiful, devoted companion whether she is on a stroll, wandering the backyard, or unexpectedly dozing at your feet.
These puppies thrive in a home with active people and older children who are ready to lead them since they may quickly get concentrated on the sights, sounds, and scents of the world around them.
When it comes to following her nose and showing interest in new animals, the bluetick coonhound may seem to be single-minded. The bluetick should be taught fundamental life skills from puppyhood on through maturity, with a focus on leash walking and responding to cues.
A bluetick coonhound puppy should be socialized with extra care so that she meets a variety of animals and people, travels to many new places, and has a ton of new experiences before she grows.
The bluetick coonhound makes a fantastic canine athlete. These dogs excel in competitive sports like tracking, rally, agility, scent work, and obedience because they have a deep curiosity for the outside world and can use their keen senses of smell and sight for useful purposes. The bluetick succeeds best when taught to navigate life via constant positive reinforcement training, as with other dog breeds.
Living Needs
The bluetick coonhound is an affectionate and often goofy best companion. She will not like spending the whole day at home alone in a kennel since she is such a loyal dog, and she may vent her frustrations by wailing, baying, and barking incessantly.
When you must be gone, be sure to provide her with a cozy hideaway (away from distracting windows) if you don’t want your neighbors to complain. She’ll be busy as well if you give her access to plenty of interactive toys.
Although exceedingly flexible, the bluetick coonhound needs a home with a safe, fenced-in yard. These hound dogs are able to leap, so they are ready to look up trees, fences, and any other structures where a creature could be hiding.
Prepare to spend money on a 6-foot privacy fence for your backyard since any old fence won’t do. She will like taking long strolls, treks, and backyard romps, but she also needs to be given access to a cozy area where she can unwind and rest close to you.
If you’re the kind of owner who dislikes taking lengthy walks in the morning or doesn’t appreciate spending a lot of time outdoors each day, apartment living may not be the best option for you. Unknowingly, this big, somewhat bouncy breed may cause havoc in a tiny area.
These dogs require an owner who is willing to teach them life skills in addition to their aptitude to follow everything that moves. A bluetick will be far more at ease in any household setting if they spend enough time each day playing engaging activities and going outside.
The bluetick may not see young children or unprepared family members when she determines something outdoors is really intriguing. Potential puppy parents should be aware that the bluetick’s distinctively enthusiastic character makes her better-suited for families with older children and more active people. Keeping her busy while on a leash is a smart method to help avoid any accidents.
Care
The short, coarse hairs that give the bluetick coat its sleek and glossy look need to be brushed once a week to aid with shedding. Since blueticks’ coats don’t provide much insulation during the winter, owners must make sure their dogs have access to warm places as well as adorable sweaters and thick jackets for outside excursions. Like any breed, bluetick paws need to have their nails trimmed every two weeks to be healthy and ready for activity.
You will need to invest in the right equipment for great exercise, even if you don’t need to spend a lot of time and money at a groomer every month. This comprises a body harness, long-line leashes, plenty of engaging toys, a 6-foot fence surrounding your yard, and other things.
It’s not a good idea to let these dogs wander off-leash in locations where there are lots of automobiles, other dogs, or people since they may easily get carried away with their noses and forget their surroundings (and even you!).
Because they are scent hounds by nature, they often follow their noses, which might cause problems, according to Tracey.
Health
The bluetick coonhound is a strong, robust breed with an average lifespan of 11 to 12 years. Due to their stature, high level of movement, and perhaps unquenchable curiosity, they may be more prone to cuts, scratches, and leg injuries as well as irritating particles becoming stuck in their nostrils. To make sure your bluetick is secure and content while having fun, use caution.
The bluetick coonhound is susceptible to stomach torsion, popularly known as “bloat,” which is a highly dangerous and life-threatening illness that affects many big breeds with deep chests. A bluetick should be careful to rest after long periods of exertion before consuming excessive amounts of water or food.
Blueticks’ adorable long ears make them vulnerable to ear infections, therefore owners should constantly examine and clean the ears.
“Floppy ear dogs are prone to the development of ear infections—and these floppy ear dogs are no exception,” adds Tracey. Ear mites, yeast, and bacteria are just a few of the possible reasons behind ear infections. The three must be distinguished since they need various kinds of medicine.
According to Tracey, several breeds are predisposed to problems with the hip joint, particularly hip dysplasia, a degenerative joint condition. As their dogs grow and mature, owners should have their veterinarian examine the hips of their bluetick coonhounds.
History
The bluetick coonhound is an American scent hound like all other coonhound breeds, although it is believed that the bluetick’s ancestry dates back to when the country was founded. The breed may be traced back to the English foxhound and the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne dog.
The bluetick’s instinct is to hunt and follow prey with their keen nose since they are scent hounds. These dogs were designed to detect the scent of prey and would push the animal to climb a tree (a process known as “treeing”), providing the hunter with easy access to them. When not hunting raccoons or other small animals, early blueticks joined their handlers on extensive hunts for major wildlife like black bears, lynx, and even cougars.
The “cold nose” that bluetick breeders gave their dogs allows them to detect odors that are many hours or even days old. They are well-suited for scent work and search-and-rescue because of this ability.
The bluetick, the official state dog of Tennessee and mascot of the University of Tennessee since 1953, is popular throughout the South. The bluetick coonhound was approved by the American Kennel Club in 2009.
Five Questions and Answers:
What is the history of the Bluetick Coonhound breed?
The Bluetick Coonhound originates from the United States and was developed for hunting raccoons and other small game. Its name comes from its distinctive blue and white coat pattern.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds good family pets?
Yes, they can be excellent family pets. They are friendly, loyal, and get along well with children and other pets if properly socialized.
Do Bluetick Coonhounds require a lot of exercise?
Yes, they are an active breed that needs regular exercise to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. Engaging in activities that tap into their natural hunting instincts is recommended.
What is their grooming routine like?
Bluetick Coonhounds have short coats that are relatively easy to maintain. Regular brushing helps keep their coat healthy, and routine ear cleaning and dental care are essential for their overall well-being.
Can they be trained easily?
While they are intelligent, Bluetick Coonhounds can have an independent streak. Consistent and positive reinforcement-based training is important to guide their behavior and utilize their intelligence effectively.
Remember, bringing a Bluetick Coonhound into your home means welcoming a loyal and energetic companion who thrives on adventure and companionship. With the right care, training, and attention, this breed can be a loving addition to your family.
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