Bluetick Coonhound

Description

The Bluetick Coonhound is a medium to large-sized breed known for its excellent hunting and scenting abilities. Originating in the southern United States, it was developed to track and hunt raccoons, as well as other small to medium-sized game. The Bluetick Coonhound is highly valued for its endurance, stamina, and deep, melodic bark, which makes it particularly effective in the field.

Physically, the Bluetick Coonhound has a sleek, muscular build with a distinctive coat that features a mottled blue color (resembling "ticks") with tan markings on the legs, chest, and eyebrows. Its long, floppy ears, droopy skin, and expressive eyes give it a classic hound appearance. The breed has strong legs and a broad chest, designed for endurance while hunting.

Temperament-wise, Bluetick Coonhounds are known for being friendly, loyal, and energetic. They are typically affectionate with their family, including children, and can get along well with other pets if properly socialized. However, their strong prey drive and hunting instincts mean they may chase smaller animals, so training and supervision are essential. Blueticks can be independent and stubborn, so a firm, patient handler is important for successful training. They respond well to positive reinforcement and thrive in environments that provide mental stimulation and tasks to engage their scenting abilities.

The Bluetick Coonhound requires plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy. It enjoys outdoor activities, particularly those that allow it to use its natural scenting and tracking skills. This breed is best suited for active families or individuals with experience in handling hounds or working dogs.

Overall, the Bluetick Coonhound is an intelligent, energetic, and loyal breed that excels in hunting and tracking. With the right training, socialization, and exercise, it makes a devoted companion and an excellent working dog for those who can meet its needs.

History

The Bluetick Coonhound is a distinctly American scenthound that traces its roots back to the colonial era, particularly in the southern United States. Its ancestors are thought to include the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne hounds—brought to America in the 18th century—as well as English Foxhounds and other European hunting dogs. Over generations, hunters in states like Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi refined these hounds for trailing raccoons, bears, and other game through dense woods and swamplands. The breed's name stems from its characteristic “blue ticking,” a mottling of black or dark-blue spots on a white coat base, which provides a measure of camouflage in moonlit hunts.

By the early 20th century, the Bluetick had established itself as a reliable and methodical tracker. Unlike faster hounds bred for quick runs, the Bluetick was developed to be a cold-nosed, persistent trailer—able to pick up older scent trails and follow them meticulously over long distances. Hunters valued the breed for its endurance, steady pursuit, and resonant bay that echoed through the night. In the 1940s, a formal push began among dedicated breeders to standardize the Bluetick’s appearance and working traits. These efforts set the foundation for modern breeding programs, ensuring that the dog’s keen nose and distinctive coat pattern remained consistent.

The United Kennel Club (UKC) recognized the Bluetick Coonhound as a separate breed in 1946, distinguishing it from its coonhound relatives like the Black and Tan, Redbone, and English varieties. The American Kennel Club (AKC) followed suit much later, accepting the Bluetick into its Foundation Stock Service in 2001, and eventually granting it full recognition in 2009. Despite this relatively recent formal acknowledgment, the Bluetick Coonhound has long been a fixture in American hunting culture, famously touted by figures such as President Lyndon B. Johnson, who owned Blueticks at his Texas ranch. Today, while still beloved by hunting enthusiasts, the Bluetick’s friendly demeanor and striking looks have also gained it fans in the companion dog world, carrying forward its proud heritage as both a skilled tracker and devoted family companion.

Colors

•  Blue Ticked
•  Blue Ticked and Tan
•  Bluetick