Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is a stout, sturdy, speedy and well-muscled hound. He is also relentless, bold, and single-minded.

Daily Care

Grooming Tips

The coat of the Bluetick Coonhound is fairly easy to care for. They only require occasional brushing to keep their coats clean and glossy.
Blueticks are not heavy-shedders. Their large, long ears should be cleaned and checked regularly for any signs of infection. They only need to be bathed when dirt or odor becomes especially noticeable.

Exercise Tips

Blueticks are bred as hunting dogs and benefit from getting plenty ofexercises, although they also enjoy time spent snoozing at their owner’s feet.
They will enjoy playing sessions with their owner in a securely fenced yard, or long walks on a leash—remember that he is a scent hound with a strong prey drive.
In addition to hunting andfield trials, canine sports likeagilityandtrackingare good outlets into which to channel the Bluetick’s energy.

Feeding Tips

You may find that your Bluetick Coonhounds loves to eat fast. If so, feed your dog a few small meals daily – this will help your Bluetick Coonhound properly digest its food. High-Quality dog kibble is recommended.

Health Tips

The Bluetick Coonhound is generally a healthy breed. Any deep-chested dog may be susceptible tobloat, a sudden and life-threatening condition where the stomach distends and can also twist, cutting off blood supply to organs.
Owners should educate themselves as to the symptoms that indicate bloat is occurring and what to do if so. The Bluetick’s low-hanging ears should be checked daily for any signs ofinfection.
As with all breeds, theteethshould be brushed regularly.

Trainability

The Bluetick Coondog is a hunting dog, so expect some challenges in the training and housebreaking department. Always following its nose, the Bluetick Coondog is easily distracted by smells. Be firm when training, as this breed will ignore you if you are too lenient and gentle.
But remember – the Bluetick Coonhound is sensitive to harsh words, so being a firm can prove to be difficult. Don’t be discouraged because this breed is intelligent and perform trailing exercises very well. If you are not a seasoned pet owner, the Bluetick Coonhound will be a bit difficult to navigate, training wise.

History

Before he became a breed in his own right, the Bluetick Coonhound was considered a color variety of the English Coonhound. Both breeds were developed in the southern United States in the 18thcentury from imported English and French hounds.
The United Kennel Club began registering English Coonhounds (then called the English Fox and Coonhound) in 1905. The Bluetick was declared a separate breed in 1946. The American Kennel Club recognized the Bluetick as a member of the Hound Group in 2009. He currently ranks 119thamong the breeds registered by the AKC.