| Height: | 22-27 Inch (Male), 21-25 Inch (Female) |
| weight: | 55-80 pounds (men), 45-65 pounds (women) |
| Life span: | 11-12 years |
| colour’s: | speckled blue |
| Suitable for: | Families without hunters, small pets |
| Mood: | tireless, smart, affectionate |
The Bluetick Coonhound was developed in the United States for hunting purposes. These dogs are known for their friendly personalities and unforgettable bluetick coats. They were originally bred for hunting raccoons. However, they are also regularly kept as companion animals. They are fast and nocturnal hunters that thrive in the early morning hours.
Their chopping bark sounds similar to the bark of other wounds. They can be quite noisy, especially when they are chasing their prey. Even Bluetick Coonhounds that are companion animals have an extremely high prey drive, making them only suitable for specific families.
Despite being bred for hunting, they are extremely affectionate and love their people. Their devoted nature makes them suitable for families with children of all ages. However, they do need some sort of job to keep them happy and entertained.
Bluetick Coonhound Puppies – Before You Buy
What is the price of Bluetick Coonhound puppies?
These dogs are widely used for hunting purposes across the United States. For this reason, they are usually easy to find and can be cheap. If you’re looking for a pet-quality animal from a decent breeder, you can expect to pay around $500-$600. These animals are hardy and easy to breed, not requiring the many genetic tests that some other popular breeds require.
That said, if you’re looking for a show- or trial-quality animal, you can expect to pay around $2,000. If you are looking for a dog that can hunt very well, expect to pay a bit more.
3 little known facts about the Bluetick Coonhound
1. They can trace “cold” trails.
This canine can trace old trails that have been around for a while. This is one reason why they make such good hunters. However, this also means that they can find a trail in almost any wooded area, which can be a problem for owners who are just trying to take a walk.
2. The Bluetick Coonhound was developed in America.
This hunting dog was introduced in America since colonial days. They are the result of interbreeding the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne and the English Foxhound, which was brought over with the colonists.
3. They can grow up.
These dogs are in large part of the hound spectrum. Males can attain up to 80 pounds.
Temperament and intelligence of the Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound was bred first and foremost as a hunting dog. There are many traits of their temperament that make them good at hunting. However, not all of these traits lead to a good companion animal.
They are hardy and athletic dogs. They thrive when given a job to hunt. Companion Coonhounds will need a job, even if they are not actually bred to hunt. Obedience and agility are good options for keeping these animals busy.
Their stubbornness and high energy needs often make them difficult to train. They don’t necessarily pay as much attention as they should during training time and may not respond to a command even if they know it. They are relatively intelligent, but are more in the realm of problem-solving than when it comes to training.
This breed is extremely vocal, so be prepared. There isn’t much you can do about their loud voices because of their stubbornness and innate neediness. Training often doesn’t do much to reduce noise levels. They are sometimes mistaken as aggressive breeds, as they tend to shy away from greeting strangers. Sometimes, it can be mistaken for growling or aggressive barking, although that is exactly what they sound like.
Their nose can get them in trouble. They will follow it into the trash or onto counters if left unused. They love to track down almost anything smelly.
Are these dogs good for families?
When properly socialized, they can be good family dogs. They are often gentle with children. Their large size means they are too large to hurt or scare most children, which prevents fear-motivated aggression. They aren’t boisterous enough to put kids down most of the time, especially if their exercise needs are being met.
Due to their highly athletic nature, they require quite a bit of exercise and training, you should expect to spend at least 1-2 hours a day training these dogs.
Does this breed get along with other pets?
These dogs often get along well with other dogs. Early socialization is still important, but these dogs are not particularly aggressive toward other dogs, especially those their size or larger. They are generally pack animals and enjoy the company of other dogs, especially if they make good companions. Some breeders may even recommend that you adopt two dogs, as one can become bored when left alone.
However, this breed is not suitable for homes with cats, smaller pets or small dogs. These animals would likely be seen as prey and would be chased away. Socialization can help, but we still don’t recommend leaving these dogs unsupervised with any animal that is much smaller than them. Their chasing and tracking instincts are undeniable, which can lead them to chase and potentially kill cats, even ones they’ve known for years.
Things to know about owning a Bluetick Coonhound
food and dietary requirements
The Bluetick Coonhound does not have any special nutritional requirements. A high protein diet with plenty of meat is best. Look for formulas designed for highly active dogs, as BlueTick falls into this category.
These dogs are food driven and will often steal food if they can find it. Since they’re also good at problem-solving, it’s important to keep everything under tight wraps. Not only will this prevent them from eating too many calories, but it can also keep them safe from harmful foods like grapes and nuts.
If not exercised properly, these dogs can become obese. They can also overeat if left to their own devices. Food consumption must be carefully monitored to ensure that your dog stays at a healthy weight. Like all dogs, obesity can affect their joints and lead to further health problems.
Exercise
As active dogs, the Bluetick Coonhound is quite energetic and requires regular, consistent exercise. Plan to spend at least an hour each day exercising your dog. This can be done by long walks on a leash or an intense play session. Their prey drive means that the fetch is an instant hit. They are often good at agility and tracking, which can be a useful way to wear them without overwhelming you.
When these dogs are not exercising, they can actually be quite lazy. Their energy level is either totally on or totally off. Expect them to nap most of the day, only to run around the backyard after their active nap.
Training
These dogs are often described as smart. However, their intelligence focuses more on problem-solving, which doesn’t apply to most training. They can also be quite stubborn, they may learn commands after a few sessions, but that doesn’t mean they’ll always listen to you.
They are often motivated by the cure. You can use this to your advantage during training, but expect treats whenever you need your dog to reliably listen to you. Otherwise they may ignore you.
Fortunately, these dogs are quite well behaved indoors. Their recall is unreliable, however, even if they are well trained. When they walk on a trail, they stop listening to everything else. For this reason, we do not recommend letting them on a leash unless they are in a safe area.
Beauty
The Bluetick Coonhound is easygoing when it comes to grooming. They have a short coat that sheds moderately. A quick weekly brushing will help remove excess hair and prevent it from ending up on your furniture. They don’t need a bath often, unless they get into something that is particularly messy.
Their nails should be trimmed frequently. They tend to grow quite quickly, even if the dog is exercised regularly. Long nails can cause a dog pain, especially while running. Because this breed is so active, this can be especially problematic. Their ears also need to be cleaned and taken care of. Dirt and debris can get trapped inside. A wet cotton ball can easily remove the build-up of dirt.
Their teeth also require regular brushing, which is essential for maintaining proper dental health.
health and conditions
These dogs are quite healthy, mostly because they have been bred for practical reasons. Many are bred specifically for hunting, for which they must have an efficient body and minimal health problems. However, they may still find some issues.
These deep-chested dogs may be prone to bloat, which is a serious condition involving the abdomen. When a dog is bloated, his abdomen becomes distended with gas that for one reason or another cannot be expelled. Sometimes the stomach is twisted but not always. The expanded abdomen will block blood flow to the surrounding tissue, which can quickly kill the dog. It is important to see an emergency vet as soon as possible if this occurs, as it is a life-threatening condition that progresses quickly.
These dogs may also be prone to hip dysplasia. This is due to their weight and high energy level. They can easily wear down their joints, which can lead to significant hip problems and arthritis. You must feed them carefully in their puppy years, as too many calories can cause faster-than-usual growth of bones and joints.
male vs female
Male dogs are often much larger than females. Apart from this, there is no other significant difference between the two sexes.
final thoughts
Bluetick Coonhounds make great hunting dogs. They can also make suitable companion dogs in some situations. They need an active family, they were bred to hunt daily and need to expend a similar amount of energy when kept as pets. However, they are friendly and affectionate, which allows them to fit in with most families.
They are relatively healthy and do not require much grooming. Apart from the occasional brushing session to remove excess hair, they don’t require much. This allows you to spend a lot of time on their energy needs. They can be quite stubborn when it comes to training, but this is common to most hounds.