Bluetick Coonhound Facts
Dogs have always been our furry best friends accompanying us for as long as history can tell. They have been essential partners for humans, not only at home but also at work. They are truly dependable and loyal. Dogs have been recorded risking their lives to protect or secure a safe place for their owners and because of that, they have made an irreplaceable space in our hearts and our homes. Their irresistible cuteness has been adored by a lot of people, but being a dog owner is not always as easy as a walk in the park. It requires a lot of understanding and patience to train a dog, but it is doable.
One of the most interesting dog breeds out there is the Bluetick Coonhound native to the United States. They are strong, agile, and intelligent hunting dogs, but they are also good as pets. Bluetick Coonhounds are quite famous that in fact, they have been included in some literature and pop music. They are cuddly and affectionate, but at the same time, require training. Since they are also born to hunt, their uncontrollable habit to chase might be a problem when you have them as pets. If you plan on getting one, you should be prepared for it. Read our list of facts about the Bluetick Coonhound that will certainly provide you the knowledge and a deeper understanding of them.
- The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of coonhound originating from the United States.
- The Bluetick Coonhound is known for its friendly persona, cold nose, and deep bawl mouth.
- They are most commonly used as raccoon hunting dogs, but they may also be kept as a pet.
- The overall build of a Bluetick Coonhound is muscular and speedy.
- The Bluetick Coonhound gets its blue coloring from black ticking on a white background, which mimics a navy blue color.
- Their paws are larger than those of nearly all other breeds of dogs.
- Gascon blues are larger than standard Blueticks, with males a minimum of 27″ and a maximum of 30″, per the American Blue Gascon Hound Association’s breed standard.
- They are athletic, hardy, and need a full-time job or activity such as hunting, obedience, or agility to stay happy.
- They can be challenging to train, and they should be monitored around cats or other small animals.
- Once trained, the members of this breed are very mindful of their owners.
- People usually mistake them for being aggressive because of how they greet strangers with howling and constant sniffing.
- They make an excellent hunting or tracking dogs because of their strong sense of smell.
- The Bluetick Coonhound is originally from Louisiana in the United States.
- Female Bluetick Coonhounds are significantly smaller than males of this breed.
- Bluetick Coonhounds are a naturally vocal breed.
- People consider Bluetick Coonhounds to be an important part of the US southern culture.
- Smokey is the name of a Bluetick Coonhound mascot at the University of Tennessee.
- Since December 2009, this breed has been eligible to compete in coonhound events run by the American Kennel Club.
- Many Bluetick Coonhounds appeared in television and film. One of the most famous is the cartoon character, Huckleberry Hound.
- This breed also appears in literature, including the novel Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls and Savage Sam by Fred Gipson.
They are not for inexperienced dog owners.
Training of Bluetick Coonhound is usually a long and exhausting process. That is why they are not recommended for inexperienced owners. They require firm and persistent training and respond well with rewards that are usually in a form of a treat.
Bluetick coonhounds are good watchdogs.
They are an agile and intelligent breed, and great with children. They can be slightly dominant toward other dogs if not socialized at a young age. Since they have very good eyesight and strong protective instincts, this breed makes a good watchdog as well as a guard dog.
They are an active dog breed.
These dogs require a lot of walking and running as everyday exercise. They enjoy exploring the outdoors and smell everything that perks their curiosity. These activities not only improve them physically but also mentally.
These dogs drool a lot.
They produce mucus from an oral secretion system that works with its digestive system and stomach. Bluetick Coonhound drools a lot, especially when they are near food, excited or stressed. It is a common thing among the Bluetick Coonhound. However, one may drool too much for several other reasons such as sickness.
Some diseases that we should keep an eye out for.
The Bluetick coonhound is a relatively healthy breed, but keeping an eye out for eye problems, hip dysplasia, bloating, hypothyroidism, and luxating patellas would not hurt as a pet owner. Keeping them active and happy is also one of the key things that would help them immune from these health problems, so walking and running outdoors should be part of their everyday schedule.
It requires an active household.
Though the Bluetick Coonhound is ideal for hunting small game, you don’t need to be a hunter to own one. However, they would require an active home where there is plenty of access to explore the outdoors. Bluetick Coonhounds can be wonderful companions and great family dogs when properly trained and socialized.
Bluetick coonhounds sometimes stink.
Even though Bluetick Coonhound coats are smooth, silky, and don’t require much grooming, they would still smell a bit houndy. People often describe these dogs as having a musty scent and giving them regular baths can help keep the odor under control, however, it is something you should be prepared to live with.
They are not lazy.
Some people may tag them lazy because they are normally sleeping if they aren’t on the trail, but most owners will agree that they are just conserving their energy for the next time they are out and about. They love to cuddle at home and sleep when they are conserving their energy to hunt or play.
They express their boredom by destructive chewing.
These large hounds require plenty of running exercise, but without such exercise, they will become rambunctious and bored, which they usually express by baying and destructive chewing.
Are you thinking about buying one?
You should budget anywhere from $1,000 upwards or even more for a Bluetick Coonhound with top breed lines and a superior pedigree. The average cost for all Bluetick Coonhounds sold is $400. A healthy adult male measures between 21″ and 27″ at its shoulder and weighs between 55 and 80 lbs. A healthy adult female weighs between 45 and 65 lbs.