Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is a breed of dog. It is a type of coonhound that is typically bred in the southern United States.

Appearance

The overall body style of the Bluetick Coonhound should be muscular and speedy, not chunky or clumsily built. The head should be carried well up and the tail carried over the back, without signs of fear or nervousness. The Bluetick coat should be moderately coarse and glossy. The Bluetick Coonhound gets its "blue" colouring from black/white mottling which gives the impression of a navy blue colour. This mottling covers the body and can be interspersed with variously-shaped black spots on the back, ears and sides. Preference runs to more blue than black on the body. Black should predominate on the head and ears. Bluetick Coonhounds should have tan dots over the eyes and on the cheeks with dark red ticking on the feet and lower legs below the body line, on the chest, and below the tail. Red can be eliminated, as well as the tan head colouring. Blue mottling on the body is preferred to lighter ticking. Blue ticking should be predominant over white in the body coat. Off colours are not allowed.

The Bluetick Coonhound has a broad head with low set ears which reach at least to the nose. The muzzle should be square, not narrow or snipey, and slightly shorter than the depth of skull. There should be a prominent stop, and the skull should be slightly domed. The lips and flews should well cover the lower jaw. The blueticks eyes should be large and set wide apart. colouring light brown to dark brown, with a close fitting eylid. The neck of the Bluetick should be arched and muscular, of moderate length and without excessive dewflap.

Male coonhounds should be 22 to 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh approximately 55 to 80 pounds. Females are considerably smaller, being 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder and weighing between 45 to 65 pounds. The body should be higher at the shoulder than the hips, and when measured from the withers to the base of tail it should be slightly longer than tall. Blueticks (as they are known by fanciers) should have a deep chest with well sprung ribs, curving into the belly rather than having an extreme tucked up look.

Feet should be cat-like, rounded with well-arched toes. Rear legs should have a moderate bend at the hocks. All legs should be straight when viewed from the front or rear.

The Bluetick Coonhound is known for its distinctive sound. It should have a free tongue on trail, with a bugle or bawl on track, changing over to a chop when treed.

Temperament

Coonhounds are an outgoing, friendly breed. There should not bear excessive fearfulness, nor aggression towards people or other dogs. Being scenthounds they tend towards focus on track to the exclusion of all else, including owner commands and dangerous situations such as traffic. Bluetick coonhounds make very good family dogs due to their happy-go-lucky nature, as long as they are sufficiently exercised and trained very well to respond.

Any dog or human aggression is strongly discouraged in both environment and responsible breeding programs. This breed does have a very high prey drive, and will hunt at every opportunity. This can lead to issues with cats and small animals in the home and surrounding areas.

History

The Bluetick Coonhound, which probably originated in Louisiana, is thought to be bred from English foxhounds, cur dogs, and the Bleu Gascogne French hound. Originally, Bluetick Coonhounds were registered in the United Kennel Club under the English Foxhound and Coonhound, but were recognized by the club as a separate breed in 1946. Bluetick Coonhounds are also recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council and the New Zealand Kennel Club. Breeders have started the process of obtaining recognition from the American Kennel Club.