👉 Coming up with a pet name can be fun but tricky. Search no further! According to PetScreening’s 2024 database, the majority of our users name their male Bluetick Coonhounds Duke; Hank is the 2nd most popular male name. Meanwhile, most of our users with female Bluetick Coonhounds love Dixie, then Daisy.
Bluetick coonhounds are affectionate dogs who love attention and will reward those who give it with loyalty. Because the dogs can play a little rough, they make a great fit for families with older children who are active and will help the dog burn energy. While playful, they also have an intense prey drive stemming from their roots as hunter companions, and may use these instincts on cats and smaller breeds. Bluetick coonhounds can be wary around strangers, but with proper training and socialization, they will warm up to them more easily.
Due to their high energy level, they are not recommended for apartments and will fare best in larger units with ample outdoor space to meet their exercise needs. They are excellent jumpers and climbers, so a tall and sturdy fence is necessary to keep them from taking off after birds and other critters.
The Bluetick coonhound is a distinctively marked breed with its signature blue ticking and various shaped black spots on the back, ears, and sides. Their short and glossy coat should be a distinctive dark blue color that may be highlighted by black spots or ticking. The AKC breed standard states that there should be more blue ticking than white in the body coat of the Bluetick coonhound.
While bluetick coonhounds are considered a generally healthy breed, they are prone to several health issues. Here are some conditions that owners should look out for:
Those looking to bring home a bluetick coonhound should consider enrolling early in a health insurance plan to reduce out-of-pocket veterinary expenses. Budgeting for a pet savings account is another good idea to ensure you have money set aside in the event of an emergency. While every dog is different, bluetick coonhound owners can expect to spend anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000 caring for their pet.
While bluetick coonhounds were developed in Louisiana, their story begins shortly before the United States was officially formed. In 1785, French military officer Marquis de Lafayette gifted George Washington seven Grand Bleu de Gascogne hounds. The bluetick coonhound was bred by mixing the French hounds with the English foxhound, American foxhound, black and tan Virginia foxhound, and the cur dog.
The breed would assist frontiersmen in detecting game with their “cold noses,” a term used to describe breeds that can follow scents left behind hours – and even days – earlier. Upon finding prey, bluetick coonhounds let out a loud howl, and then chased game up a tree where the hunters could get a clear shot. While they were primarily used to track down raccoons, the dogs would also travel in packs to help hunters take on large game such as boars, bears, lynx, and cougars.
Though they’ve been around for quite some time, bluetick coonhounds were only recognized by the American Kennel Club as recently as 2009. The breed has been referenced in novels such as Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, songs such as “Church Bells” by Carrie Underwood, and movies such as Homeward Bound II. The University of Tennessee’s mascot “Smokey” is also a bluetick coonhound.
Before bringing home a bluetick coonhound, owners should prepare by puppy-proofing their home, planning their first trip to the vet, scheduling vaccinations. Because the breed has an intense prey drive, owners will need to exercise caution outside of the home to ensure their dog doesn’t take off after small animals like birds or squirrels. Signing up for FidoAlert provides your dog with a free Fido ID and tag in the event they go missing.
As much as the bluetick coonhound loves a good couch snuggle, they are also a high-energy breed that will need at least an hour of exercise a day. If they’re not physically and mentally stimulated, the dog will resort to destructive behaviors and their famously loud, drawn-out baying. As natural hunters, the breed enjoys activities like hiking and long walks that allow them to track scents.
Owners should keep their dogs leashed to make sure they don’t run off after a small critter. Caution should also be exercised at the dog park if the fence is low or easy to climb. Although they have thick coats, bluetick coonhounds are short-haired and will need a warm coat in cold weather. On the flip side, they tend to overheat in hotter climates and require water and shade to prevent overheating.
The bluetick coonhound is considered relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They have short hair that doesn’t shed a whole lot and will only need a weekly brush to remove loose fur. Unless they get especially dirty playing outside, the dog’s should only require one bath a month. Because they are prone to ear infections, it’s important to clean and check their ears frequently and take them to a vet if you see any crusting or discharge. Their nails also grow fast and will cause them pain while running if not trimmed once or twice a month. As with any dog, weekly teeth cleaning is essential to avoid plaque build up and infections in the teeth and gums.
All bluetick coonhound owners should consult with their vet to determine how much they should feed their dog relative to their weight and other health conditions. Because the breed is susceptible to bloating, the dogs should avoid playing and eating at least an hour before and after eating to avoid disrupting their digestive routine. Slow-feed bowls and puzzle feeders are a great way to reduce the amount of air your bluetick coonhound swallows as they eat. While every dog is different, the breed will typically need 2.5 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food divided over two meals.
There’s a t-shirt that pokes fun at bluetick coonhounds for their stubbornness when it comes to training. The shirt depicts a diagram of the dog’s response to “sit,” “down,” “fetch,” and “stay” commands. For the first three, the dog ignores the command and continues standing. For the “stay” command, the dog is nowhere to be seen.
As with any dog, it’s best to begin training the bluetick coonhound when they’re a puppy before they begin learning unwanted behaviors. Because of their keen sense of smell, the breed is easily distracted during training sessions. The dog is food-motivated and loves attention, so owners should rely on reward-based training methods and positive reinforcement.
Bluetick coonhounds are also athletic by nature, and canine sports are a great way to stimulate the dog both physically and mentally. The breed excels in activities that rely on scents such as tracking and obedience.
Not quite sure that a bluetick coonhound is right for you? Even if you are, it’s worth taking the time to research and consider other similar breeds. Here are a few to get you started:
Bark may not be the right word, for the sound these dogs emit is more of a loud, melodic howl that can be heard from great distances. If not properly exercised, the breed will resort to this “singing” bark — especially when left alone — that the neighbors may not appreciate.
Because of their strong sense of smell, bluetick coonhounds are easily distracted and may have trouble focusing during training sessions. Start training them when they’re young and use reward based methods that take advantage of their food motivation.
While the breed is always considered a high energy dog, the bluetick coonhound will usually lose some of their puppy energy around age 2.
The bluetick coonhound doesn’t shed a lot and will only need to be brushed once weekly and bathed once monthly. Because they are prone to ear infections, owners should clean their ears as often as possible and keep an eye out for scabs, pus, or foul odor.
Despite their high exercise needs, bluetick coonhounds are incredibly affectionate and love cozying up with their humans.
