The sleekly beautiful Bluetick Coonhound is a sweet and affectionate charmer who might enjoy snoozing in the shade, but in pursuit of quarry he is relentless, bold, and single-minded. His off-the-charts prey drive must be channeled.
With a sleek coat, courageous demeanor, and ties to a Founding Father, this American breed is anything but ordinary. A member of the Hound group, the brown-eyed Bluetick has the "typical pleading hound expression," and its long, floppy ears add to its endearing charm. The first part of its name comes from the characteristic black-on-white speckles — the ticking — that appear blue from a distance on its short, glossy coat.
From French Staghounds to Tennessee
Bluetick Coonhounds trace their ancestry back to French staghounds gifted to George Washington by his friend Marquis de Lafayette, as well as to the Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound of southwestern France, the English Foxhound, the cur dog, the American Foxhound, and the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. Bred to be hunting companions, early Blueticks used their incredible noses and endurance to track down raccoons, as well as far more fearsome quarry like bears, wild boars, and cougars.
The breed specifically comes from Louisiana. Originally registered in the United Kennel Club under the English Foxhound and Coonhound, Blueticks were recognized as a separate breed in 1946. In 1945, Bluetick breeders had broken off on their own because English breeders were tending toward fast, "hot-nosed" hunters — Blueticks are the pride of larger, slower, more resolute "cold-nosed" breeds, meaning they can pick up older, cold scents. The American Kennel Club accepted the breed in April 2009, and it became eligible for AKC coonhound events in December 2009. Today the Bluetick is even the mascot of the University of Tennessee.
Sleek, Muscular, and Speedy
The overall build of the Bluetick Coonhound is muscular and speedy, with the head carried up and the tail carried over the back. Males stand 22 to 27 inches and weigh 55 to 80 pounds; females 21 to 25 inches and 45 to 65 pounds. Their paws are larger than those of nearly all other breeds of dogs, with cat-like feet and well-arched toes.
The Bluetick coat is short, moderately coarse, and glossy. The breed gets its "blue" coloring from black ticking on a white background, which gives the impression of a navy blue color, interspersed with variously shaped black spots on the back, ears, and sides. Black should predominate on the head and ears, and there is generally a ticked blaze running up the face. Blueticks may have tan markings above the eyes, along the muzzle, on the chest, and down the legs, or come without markings in black and white.
Sweet, Affectionate, and Relentless
The Bluetick Coonhound personality is different at home compared to out hunting. They are highly affectionate pets, loyal to their families, loveable, goofy, and devoted — always game for a walk, chase, or romp. Most enjoy car rides and will want to ride shotgun in your pickup truck.
On the trail, the Bluetick temperament becomes ambitious and determined — they have a strong prey instinct and can stubbornly follow one scent for hours, even days. These relentless problem solvers have selective listening skills when they've smelled something interesting. Their noses will keep them in trouble, so food and garbage should never be left out unattended.
Exercise and Activity
Blueticks are high-energy dogs that need lots of exercise every day and extensive mental stimulation. The breed was built to use its brain while traversing great distances. Because Bluetick Coonhounds have an insatiable instinct to follow their noses, this exercise needs to take place either on a leash or in a securely fenced area.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
They are happiest with a full-time job such as hunting, obedience, or agility. Without adequate exercise or companionship, these hounds can exhibit unwanted behaviors like chewing and excessive barking. The Daily Exercise Guide offers ideas for exercising a high-energy scent hound.
Training a Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are highly trainable thanks to their bright intellect and desire to please, but they are also relentless problem solvers with selective listening skills — making them challenging to train. Their intelligence means that once you've got their attention and respect, they are very mindful of their owners.
Keep training fun with a rewards-based approach rather than punishment. Consistent, positive reinforcement training builds the human-animal bond while providing mental and physical exercise. Early socialization during the critical development window pays dividends in adulthood. The Dog Training Guide and Puppy Care Guide offer a solid foundation.
Grooming a Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound's characteristic short, glossy coat is a breeze to care for, though be prepared for moderate shedding. Weekly brushing keeps the coat in good condition, and their long, floppy ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent infection.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 1–2 times a week | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Routine care includes nail trimming and tooth brushing. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a short-coated hound.
Feeding a Bluetick Coonhound
As an active, medium-to-large scent hound, the Bluetick Coonhound needs a high-quality, complete and balanced diet. Use the nutrition label on the bag as a general guide, then adjust based on body condition score, lifestyle, and age.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Use a large-breed puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 2–3 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1.5–2.5 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Feed measured meals twice a day rather than free-feeding. Because the breed is deep-chested, it should eat calmly and avoid vigorous exercise around meal times as part of bloat awareness. Your veterinarian can guide you on portions.
Health and Veterinary Care
Bluetick Coonhounds are a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 11 to 12 years (some sources up to 14). They can be prone to cataracts, hip dysplasia, and, as a deep-chested breed, bloat. Choose a breeder who can show documentation that both parents have healthy hips whenever possible.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia screening | Discuss with your vet | OFA/PennHIP on parents |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 6–7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide is a useful home checklist.
Home Environment
Bluetick Coonhounds can thrive as family pets if their humans properly accommodate their size, exercise needs, and vocal tendencies. They are very sweet and can be good for families with older children — though their size combined with their high energy might be too exuberant for young children. Blueticks tend to enjoy the companionship of other dogs, a trait that has served them well when hunting in packs.
They were bred to work alongside humans and still prefer companionship to solitude — when left alone for long periods, Blueticks can experience separation anxiety and engage in destructive chewing. With their talent for howling and baying, apartment dwelling could prove problematic; the ideal home provides plenty of space to play and communicate. If you're weighing whether a Bluetick Coonhound fits your life, the Choosing the Right Pet guide can help you compare honestly.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Bluetick Coonhound means embracing a crooner. Known as "crooners," these dogs bark, howl, bawl, and bay in loud, bell-like tones — a deep, drawn-out baying bark that can be an issue for families and neighbors. Their prey drive makes them a risk around cats and other small animals, and they follow their noses — leash and fence management is essential. They need constant activity and companionship, and are challenging to train.
Yet for the right owner, the Bluetick is a treasure — a sweet, affectionate, loyal companion and relentless tracker wrapped in a sleek blue coat. From the Louisiana wilderness, where it treed raccoons for frontiersmen, to University of Tennessee sidelines and modern homes, this American original remains a beloved and devoted friend.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- Affectionate, loyal, and devoted
- Sweet and goofy family companion
- Exceptional cold-nose tracking ability
- Highly intelligent
- Low-maintenance short coat
- Good with older children
Disadvantages
- Very loud — bays, howls, and barks
- Very high exercise needs
- Strong prey drive toward small animals
- Challenging to train
- Can develop separation anxiety
- Not suited to apartment living
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Bluetick Coonhounds get? Males stand 22–27 inches; females 21–25 inches, with males 55–80 lb and females 45–65 lb.
How long do Bluetick Coonhounds live? Typically 11 to 12 years.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds good family dogs? Yes — they're affectionate and good with older children.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds easy to train? They're intelligent but challenging — rewards-based training works best.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds good with cats? Not ideal — their strong prey drive makes them a risk.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds good apartment dogs? No — they're loud and need lots of space and exercise.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds good guard dogs? They'll "greet" strangers with their signature howl, but aren't guards.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds rare? No — they're moderately popular, even a university mascot.
Why are Bluetick Coonhounds called "blue"? Black ticking on white fur appears navy blue from a distance.
When was the Bluetick Coonhound recognized by the AKC? 2009, and it became eligible for AKC coonhound events the same year.
Are Bluetick Coonhounds related to Redtick Coonhounds? No — Redticks (American English Coonhounds) descend from the English Foxhound.
What health problems do Bluetick Coonhounds have? They can be prone to cataracts, hip dysplasia, and bloat.