The Bluetick Coonhound is a truly American hound dog originating from Louisiana. Known for its friendly personality and deep bawling howl, the Bluetick Coonhound is a charming breed with a rich history. Read on to learn more about this charismatic breed!
1. These Dogs Are Racoon Hunters
The Bluetick Coonhound was originally bred for use in raccoon hunting. This dog originates from both English and French breeds brought over into Louisiana by settlers, with most of its ancestral foundation being composed of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. A handful of other hounds also have major influences from this breed, as well.
The Bluetick Coonhound was first categorized as a variant of the English Foxhound or just the Coonhound, and it wasn’t recognized as a distinct breed until 1946 by the United Kennel Club. The American Kennel Club (AKC) would only recognize the breed as its own in April of 2009 (being the 162nd breed recognized by the AKC).
The Bluetick Coonhound is an example of a “cold-nosed” scenthound, which means that it tracks down older scents (hot-nosed hounds track down much fresher scents). The hunter will release the hounds at night out in the woods, and the dogs will track down the quarry’s scent. If found, the unlucky raccoon will be chased up in a tree, and the dog will alert the hunter with its loud, bawling call (known as baying). The hunter will then follow the baying calls of the hounds before finally pursuing their quarry.
Coonhounds have also been used to hunt other game, ranging from opossums and bobcats to cougars and even bears. Compared to other hounds, the Bluetick Coonhound is among the easier hound breeds to handle out in the field.
2. Its Name Comes from Its Mottled Coat
The Bluetick Coonhound is named after its iconic coat, which sports an array of black-and-blue mottling all over its body. The “tick” part in its namesake comes from its “ticked” appearance, a result of the way the color of its fur is arranged. The bluish appearance is caused by having black markings through a white fur background. Some individuals support tan markings on their fur, while others don’t. Every hound has a unique arrangement of mottling, spots, and colors throughout its body.
Coloration-wise, the AKC standard calls for a predominantly black head, with more blue mottling throughout the rest of its body. Black spots are also ideal around its back and sides, and there should be more blue ticking than white as well. Any other colors or albinism is considered a disqualification in the breed standard—meaning they wouldn’t qualify for dog show judging.
3. This Breed Has Two Variations
Today, the Bluetick Coonhound is categorized into two main subgroups: the modern Bluetick Coonhound (the standard, typical breed) and the American Blue Gascon Hound. The latter is sometimes treated as a separate breed by some people, while others disagree and treat it as an older version of the Bluetick Coonhound.
These two hound breeds differ in physical appearance and their scenting skills. The American Blue Gascon Hound could be considered the old-fashioned form of the breed, being a bit larger in build and sporting a more “hound-like” appearance, including having longer ears. This hound is also more “cold-nosed” than its modern counterpart.
It takes the form of Bluetick Coonhounds that American settlers utilized for their hunting trips. There even is an association dedicated to this breed (or subgroup, depending on who you talk to) called the American Blue Gascon Hound Association which was founded in 1976.
Meanwhile, the Bluetick Coonhound in its modern form has been developed much later. Its tracking skills are more efficient compared to the American Blue Gascon Hound, and it sports a much sleeker build physically. It is also typically smaller in size compared to its classic counterpart.
4. Coonhounds Are Featured in Books and Shows
The Bluetick Coonhound is often referenced as a symbol of the American South. The University of Tennessee’s sports mascot is a Bluetick Coonhound named Smokey, who is represented both as a costumed character and an actual dog. This breed has also been chosen as the state dog in Tennessee in 2019. In the book “Old Yeller,” Savage Sam is a Bluetick Coonhound and serves as the spotlight of the sequel titular novel about dogs. The dog Old Blue in the famous novel “Where the Red Fern Grows” is also represented as a Bluetick Coonhound.
The Bluetick Coonhound has been mentioned in various songs sung by famous country musicians ranging from Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood to Hardy and Florida Georgia Line. The character Huckleberry Hound from the Hanna-Barbera cartoons is also a Bluetick Coonhound. Coonhounds such as the Bluetick Coonhound in particular are popularly used as symbolism in the southern hunting scene.
5. These Dogs “Bay” Not Howl
The Bluetick Coonhound, along with other breeds such as Basset Hounds and Beagles, is known to produce a howl-like bark known simply as “baying.” In older hunting literature, this was known as trail barking and is vocalized to announce its location to the hunter and other hounds. Unlike barking, baying is rather complex as it utilizes a repertoire of complex howls and other sounds. Howling, however, is a long, singular sound, whereas baying comes in continuous bursts. Baying is a trait that has been selectively bred into hounds such as this breed for generations.
A bored hound may bay for hours on end; this is very important to take note of if you want to bring a Bluetick Coonhound, or any other scenthound for that matter, home. Though usually appreciated by the outdoorsman hunting for game out in the woods, the next-door neighbor trying to enjoy the peace may not appreciate your dog’s repertoire as much. You can prevent excessive barking by offering puzzle toys when you’re not at home and addressing any separation anxiety.
6. This Breed Is Generally Healthy
The Bluetick Coonhound is a relatively healthy breed of dog, with general health problems such as hip dysplasia and bloat. Coonhounds are also known to catch a rare disease known as “coonhound paralysis.”
Coonhound paralysis is typically observed in Coonhounds bitten by raccoons. The cause of the condition itself, however, is still unknown as even dogs who don’t come into contact with raccoon saliva may still get it. This occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, similar in fashion to Guillain-Barre syndrome in humans. The dog’s limbs will weaken and will become stiff and eventually, paralyzed. The paralysis will eventually reach the dog’s respiratory system which can become fatal. With the proper veterinary treatment, coonhound paralysis can be cured.
It is always crucial to have your dog examined by a veterinarian annually. If your hound shows any concerning symptoms, they should be addressed by a veterinary professional as soon as possible.
7. Grooming These Dogs Is Relatively Simple
As the Bluetick Coonhound has a short, smooth coat, grooming should be pretty simple and straightforward. A weekly brushing session with a hound glove or a rubber bristle brush should suffice. It is recommended that your dog should be bathed monthly to keep that doggy odor under control. Cleaning your dog’s ears to prevent infection is also crucial.
As with all dogs, your hound’s teeth should be brushed at least two to three times a week. Dental chews also aid in maintaining your dog’s dental health, but they shouldn’t be treated as a substitute for actual toothbrushing. Your dog’s nails should also be trimmed periodically to prevent discomfort when walking.
8. Coonhounds Need Daily Exercise
The Bluetick Coonhound requires exercise every day; if this isn’t fulfilled, your dog will become loud and destructive out of pure boredom. Because the Bluetick Coonhound can “bay” rather than bark, most neighbors probably wouldn’t appreciate the constant baying of an under-stimulated hound.
Your Bluetick Coonhound should be given long walks every day. An hour of walking a day is recommended for a Bluetick Coonhound, but even longer hikes are always appreciated. As they’re very scent-motivated and also have a strong prey drive, a Coonhound must ALWAYS be kept on a leash when being walked. Like other scent hounds, this breed can easily be sidetracked by a simple interesting scent.
9. This Breed Isn’t Recommended for Beginners
Typically, hounds such as the Bluetick Coonhound are very laid-back and friendly dogs in general; however, their hard-headedness can make them difficult to raise for first-time dog owners. Training a Bluetick Coonhound requires lots of consistency and patience, and this breed’s independence may make this hound seem hard-headed or stubborn. Early socialization is also important for your dog’s development.
The Bluetick Coonhound (and other scent hounds for that matter) needs to exercise every day (as mentioned already)! This dog can thrive in families, preferably those with older children (younger kids are on a case-by-case basis). As this hound has a high prey drive, owners should be wary of their dogs around cats and other smaller animals.
If any of the Bluetick Coonhound’s needs are neglected, this dog can become destructive, destroying household objects such as furniture out of boredom. They’ll also howl constantly. It is not recommended to house a coonhound in an apartment setting, either. As mentioned earlier, a home with a large, secured, and fenced-in yard is highly recommended for keeping a Bluetick Coonhound. These are not good dogs for apartments!
Provided one can meet their needs, a Bluetick Coonhound can be a playful and loyal companion to bring home, but one must dedicate time to raise their hounds properly.
