If you are looking for a dog that can become the center of attention, a great cuddler, and a partner in crime, then we are sure you would love to adopt the Bluetick Coonhound dog breed. These dogs are not just witty, but will make you fall for them instantly with their persona!
In this 10-minute read, we will discuss everything you need to know about this majestic dog breed. So let’s get started!
Overview
| Height | 21-27 inches |
| Weight | 45-80 lbs |
| Life span | 11-12 years |
| Exercise needs | 1-2 hours daily |
| Temperament | Energetic, extrovert, Alert |
| Grooming | Low maintenance |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Origin | United States |
Origin of the Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is a dog breed with one of the most simplistic and fantastic tales of their origin. It all goes back to the 18th century when the two breeds—English Foxhounds and French Staghounds were bred together to give rise to the Bluetick Coonhounds we know today! These dogs originated in the United States of America, where they were developed further in the southern regions over the years.
In those times, these coonhounds were primarily admired for their keen sense of smell, their skills, and endurance. After all, these dogs were active hunting dogs when it came to treeing raccoons! Not to brag about their abilities, but their “bawl” mouth and tenacity in treeing set them apart in the doggo world of hunting. Looking at their unique demeanor and persona, many big organizations and dog clubs recognized this breed, which in turn gave Bluetick Coonhounds the popularity they deserve!
Appearance of the Bluetick Coonhound
Here is all that you need to know about the appearance and physical attributes of the Bluetick Coonhound dog breed:
1. Size and body
These hound dogs stand at a height of 21-27 inches while weighing about 45-80 pounds, which makes them medium– to large-sized dogs. This also means that these dogs can be your perfect cuddle partners! Also, not to forget the size of the dog depends a lot on their diet. Apart from this, you would be surprised to see the muscles and athletic build of Bluetick Coonhounds that can truly scare away any predators!
2. Coat
One of the most distinguishing features of the Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is their coat. You must have already been flattered by their images on the internet, where all you can see is their beautifully mottled coat. These dogs are loved for the patches and tan markings on their body that can be seen even from afar. It’s like- imagine a Black and Tan Coonhound, but a more exciting-looking version that has patterns!
3. Other features
The Bluetick Coonhound dog breed always holds a “serious guy” expression on its face, which can be intimidating to some. Not only this, but they reflect intelligence and agility through their confident walks. Moreover, these dogs also have tan-colored hair on their eyebrows, which adds to their majestic appearance.
Personality and Temperament
Here are the personality traits and temperament details of the Bluetick Coonhound that set it apart from other dog breeds:
1. Full of energy
One thing you should know about the Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is that they are packed with energy! These canine buddies are always up for running errands and for training rounds, which is a green flag for someone who loves to hit the gym.
2. Affectionate
The Bluetick Coonhound is known for its affectionate nature and gentleness towards children of the house. It means that these coonhounds are capable of forming deep bonds and will be a great family dog for you! However, family members should also be equally invested in creating a bond for these dogs.
3. Super friendly
Another fantastic personality trait of the Bluetick Coonhounds is that they are super sociable! Be it gelling up with other dogs, pets, or family members, these dogs do not shy away from taking the step! The only catch here is to give them proper socialization training so that they can adjust to social settings.
4. Alert and intelligent
Last but not least, these coonhounds will goof around all day, but when it comes to work- they are the most tenacious, dedicated, and intelligent hunting dogs out there! They are very devoted and determined when it comes to chasing and hunting; after all, the hunters didn’t adopt these dogs for nothing!
Bluetick Coonhounds are super devoted! They can chase a squirrel to the point where they take refuge in a tree!
Grooming Needs of the Bluetick Coonhound
Generally, the Bluetick Coonhound is a low-maintenance dog breed because they have a short-haired coat, so they shed mostly during shedding season only! However, there are some daily grooming needs, such as:
1. Brushing
You should brush their coat once or twice a week to remove any loose fur or dander or prevent matting. Doing this will make sure that your clothes and couch are free of hair hair everywhere!
2. Bathing and cleaning
For bathing these coonhounds, you only need to worry about once a month! It is because they do not catch on dirt that easily, and they only need bathing sessions when needed. On the other hand, for cleaning, we recommend doing it on a weekly basis to clean the ear wax, eye boogers, debris, or dirt under their paws.
3. Trimming and hygiene
Lastly, always remember to keep your dog’s nails trimmed and groomed! It is because their nails can be home to dirt and bacteria, which can only go if you use the correct dog supplies! Apart from this, even if your dog is not gonna love this- take them on regular dental visits!
Exercise and Training Needs
If you were happy thinking about how low maintenance this breed is when it comes to grooming, be ready to learn about their 1-2 hours long day training routine! Here is all that you need to know:
1. Early socialization
As mentioned above, Bluetick Coonhounds are active dogs who gel pretty well with other animals. However, to make that happen, you should give your dog early socialization training, which will help them understand social situations. To do this, you can take them to dog dates, events, and neighborhood parties!
2. Basic obedience training
One of the most important things about these hunting dogs is that they need to learn commands and orders. You should especially practice recalling commands as this was the same way hunters used to train them to come back home in their early life. Hence, it would be best if you took them on a walking session, giving them leash training and teaching them basic commands at the same time.
3. Mental stimulation
Another training need of the Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is that they are a creative breed that requires mental stimulation! Be it with the help of interactive games, puzzles, or agility training, keeping these dogs busy is the best way to keep them far away from catching behavioral problems.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, the Bluetick Coonhounds are a wonderful dog breed to adopt for experienced dog owners. The reason why we do not recommend this dog for newbies, is because of their high training needs and even higher prey drive, which can be challenging to deal with. Hence, if you are someone (even a newbie) who has experience of or access to professional dog training, then Bluetick Coonhounds will not disappoint you with their loyalty and affection towards their owners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, No! The Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is not hypoallergenic. If not much, these dogs spread danders and lose hair the most during shedding season. This can trigger allergies in humans and other pets like hamsters or rodents.
The Bluetick Coonhound dog breed is known for its unique barking and baying noise. It goes back to their historical times when they used to bark and bay for their owners to find them. So, if you are someone with an ick for barking, you should read about Basenji, who is a barkless dog.
If you are looking for a guard dog, the Bluetick Coonhounds might not be the best for the job. These dogs are far better at hunting, chasing, and tracking than they are at herding.
Absolutely, yes! The Bluetick Coonhound is a vigorous hunting dog who can also be trained to hunt birds. If your dog has always been at home and has no hunting experience, you cannot expect them to learn to hunt a day. So, with proper training and stimulation, these coonhounds can hunt big games, too!
Yes! The Bluetick Coonhound is pretty adaptable and friendly with other pets, but only if given early socialization training. As these dogs have a high prey drive, they might also want to hunt down any new cats in their area. But with proper training, they can be familiarized with cats, dogs, and other animals as well.
