Bluetick Coonhound Breed: The Ultimate Guide

Bluetick Coonhound Introduction

Bluetick Coonhounds are smart and loyal dogs that are great for joining your family or accompanying you in work duties. They also have strong tracking instincts that can come in handy when hunting.

The Bluetick Coonhound found its beginning in Louisiana, where they descended from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound of southwestern France. It’s believed that the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound, the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound, and the cur dog all contributed to the development of the Bluetick Coonhound breed.

We know Coonhounds, including the Bluetick Coonhound breed, for their tracking abilities and their skills in raccoon hunting, which is how their name came to be. They initially registered the Bluetick Coonhound breed with the United Kennel Club as the English Foxhound, though they recognized them as a separate breed in 1946. The Australian Kennel Council, the New Zealand Kennel Club, and as of 2009, the American Kennel Club have also recognized the Bluetick Coonhound.

Bluetick Coonhounds are a large dog breed that typically weighs between 55-80 pounds for males and 45-65 pounds for females. The average Bluetick Coonhound male is between 22 and 27 inches tall, while females are typically between 21 and 25 inches tall.

Bluetick Coonhound Temperament

Bluetick Coonhounds are mild-mannered and loveable dogs who do well in a variety of homes. They get along great with other dogs and enjoy being in a home with canine companions. They are relatively affectionate, though sometimes they may prefer to lie by themselves rather than with family members. Bluetick Coonhounds can live in homes with young children, though you should supervise them when with the dog.

We don’t know Bluetick Coonhounds for being very protective, so they may not live up to your watchdog expectations, though every dog is different. They are relatively open to strangers and usually never mind making a new friend at the park, whether they’re human or canine.

Bluetick Coonhounds are always up for some tug-of-war or fetch, but you won’t need to worry about them being intense with a need to play. Bluetick Coonhounds are relatively active dogs who need some mental stimulation and exercise each day to keep themselves healthy and happy. If you have some changes in your life, your Bluetick Coonhound will easily adjust, whether it’s a new home, a new work schedule, or a new family member. Just be ready for a vocal dog when you adopt a Bluetick Coonhound!

Bluetick Coonhound Intelligence

Used for hunting and tracking for many decades, Bluetick Coonhounds are very smart dogs. You can always rely on them to pick up a scent that the average human nose would have missed, as well as the nose of some other breeds. They have a high level of prey drive, meaning that moving objects catch their attention with an urge to go after them.

While Bluetick Coonhounds are very smart, this doesn’t mean that they are necessarily easy to train. Bluetick Coonhounds are used to doing things their own way with little direction from humans when they are hunting or tracking. Because of this, they can be prone to a streak of stubbornness.

When training a Bluetick Coonhound puppy or adult, be sure to focus on positive reinforcement. Treats, verbal praise, and pets can help motivate your Bluetick Coonhound to follow commands. Be sure to avoid harsh words and actions during training, as these can cause your Bluetick Coonhound to be resistant to the process altogether. With some patience and dedication, your Bluetick Coonhound will be obedient and follow an abundance of commands, thanks to an effective training strategy and process.

Bluetick Coonhound Shedding

We know Bluetick Coonhounds for their smooth and glossy coats. Their coats are dark blue, thickly mottled with black spots on their backs, ears and sides. Their head and ears are mostly black, with tan markings over the eyes and on the cheeks. Bluetick Coonhounds typically have dark red ticking on their feet, chest, below their tail, and on their lower legs.

With this beautiful coat can come some maintenance. Thankfully, Bluetick Coonhounds don’t shed as much as some other breeds do, but this doesn’t mean that they don’t shed at all. Bluetick Coonhounds typically shed the most during the spring and summer months, when they are losing their thick winter coat. This helps them avoid overheating during these warmer months.

While you shouldn’t expect to spend hours cleaning up dog hair, it will be a regular thing you have to do. You can expect to be cleaning up more hair during these warm summer and spring months, thanks to this increase in shedding. While shedding is a common occurrence with Bluetick Coonhounds, we don’t know them for drooling. You shouldn’t have to worry about cleaning up drool or getting it on your clothing when you own a Bluetick Coonhound.

Bluetick Coonhound Health

All dog owners want as many years with their beloved pooch as they can get, and that includes Bluetick Coonhound owners. Thankfully, this breed has a relatively long life expectancy, meaning that you can enjoy many fun-filled days together. Bluetick Coonhounds typically live for 11 to 12 years.

Ensuring that your Bluetick Coonhound is healthy can help extend their life expectancy as long as possible. One of the best ways to keep your Bluetick Coonhound healthy is through proper nutrition. Be sure to feed your Bluetick Coonhound high-quality, nutrient-rich food to provide them with the healthiest and happiest life possible.

Psychological Health

Providing your dog with the happiest life possible is every dog owner’s goal. In order to do so, it’s important to consider your Bluetick Coonhound’s psychological health. Just like humans, Bluetick Coonhounds can be prone to various psychological health conditions. The most common psychological health issues for dogs to face include anxiety and stress.

Stress and anxiety can look different in every dog, though there are some common signs and symptoms. One of the most common symptoms of anxiety and stress is whining and vocalizing. If you notice that your Bluetick Coonhound is whining without needing to be let outside, it may be because they are feeling anxious or stressed. In addition, restlessness is another common sign of a stressed or anxious dog. When experiencing stress or anxiety, your Bluetick Coonhound may pace around your house or yard. Panting and yawning can even be a sign of anxiety and stress in dogs.

What causes a dog to feel stressed or anxious can depend on a variety of factors dictated by things such as age, breed, personal history, aging and more. Some dogs may feel anxious because of loud noises, while others may become stressed when they are traveling in a car. New places, people, and dogs can also cause some dog’s anxiety and stress.

Pinpointing exactly what causes your Bluetick Coonhound stress or anxiety is very important in combating these conditions. Does your Bluetick Coonhound begin to whine when a sounding fire truck goes by? Maybe this unknown but loud noises can cause them anxiety. Do they begin to pace when new people come over? Unknown humans or canines may be the trigger of stress for your Bluetick Coonhound.

No matter what causes your Bluetick Coonhound to become stressed or anxious, it’s important to combat this condition the best that you can. One of the most promising ways to manage canine stress and anxiety at home is with CBD. CBD is a naturally occurring compound that soothes and calms your Bluetick Coonhound, helping to minimize these various symptoms and feelings of uneasiness.

You can distribute CBD in a variety of ways. CBD oil and CBD-infused edible treats are a great way to introduce this remedy into your Bluetick Coonhound’s life. Be sure to consult with your vet before beginning any CBD supplementation. With your help, your Bluetick Coonhound can live a stress-free, low anxiety, happy life by your side.

Thyroiditis

Thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that can affect a variety of different dog breeds, such as Bluetick Coonhounds. This condition occurs when the immune system attacks the thyroid glands, causing a disruption of thyroid hormone production and distribution within the body. Thyroiditis can have some very serious symptoms and needs to be addressed.

Some common symptoms of thyroiditis include lethargy, mental dullness, intolerance of exercise, weight gain, obesity, hair thinning and hair loss and cold intolerance. If you notice that your Bluetick Coonhound is gaining weight inexplicably with no diet or exercise changes, it may be due to this thyroiditis. Bluetick Coonhounds that are resistant to walks or other forms of exercise and activity may also experience thyroiditis.

While thyroiditis needs to be managed by a vet, there are ways that you can combat this condition at home. One of the best ways to combat thyroiditis is through diet. Ashwagandha, turmeric, mushrooms, kelp, and Schisandra berry have all been shown to help combat this condition by supporting thyroid functioning. Be sure to consult with your vet before introducing them into your Bluetick Coonhound’s diet. With proper management and combative strategies, your Bluetick Coonhound can live a healthy life despite thyroiditis.

Ear Infections

Ear infections can be very troubling for any dog owner to experience, and this includes Bluetick Coonhound owners. Ear infections cause a lot of pain and discomfort for your dog. Thankfully, you can prevent this condition easily at home.

One of the best ways to prevent ear infections in Bluetick Coonhounds is through regular ear cleaning. Regular ear cleaning ensures that no debris or bacteria get caught inside of their ear, leading to an infection. You can perform ear cleaning at home as well as during professional grooming sessions. Be sure to keep up on at-home cleaning in between grooming appointments.

In addition to ear cleaning, ear drops can be used to prevent ear infections. These ear drops reach deeper into the ear than owners can on their own during cleaning, breaking down debris and infection-causing bacteria. You can find these ear drops at your local pet store and you should use them on a regular basis. Ear wipes are another great option to ensure that your Bluetick Coonhound’s ears are thoroughly clean and less likely to develop an infection. With regular cleaning and ear-specific products, your Bluetick Coonhound can live a healthy and happy life with minimal ear infections.

Ear Cleaning Solutions We Love

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is another common health condition for Bluetick Coonhounds to develop. Hip dysplasia occurs because of abnormal growth within the ball and socket of the hip joint. The joint then becomes unstable and loose, which can lead to scar tissue development. Hip dysplasia can also affect one or both joints at the same time, and it may develop later in one joint than in the other.

Hip dysplasia can be very painful for a Bluetick Coonhound, but thankfully, you can combat this condition at home. Diet is one of the most promising ways to combat hip dysplasia at home. Studies have shown that dogs who consumed a fish-based, nutrient-rich diet had less severe cases of hip dysplasia than those who consumed chicken-based diets. We believe some nutrient factors of fish-based foods help slow the progression of hip dysplasia.

Besides diet, supplementation can be used to manage hip dysplasia. Turmeric, Ashwagandha, and other anti-inflammatory agents can minimize joint swelling. In doing so, Bluetick Coonhounds will experience reduced pain from hip and elbow dysplasia. Be sure to consult with your vet before beginning any dietary changes or supplementation to treat hip dysplasia.

Joint Health Options We Love

Bluetick Coonhound Oral Health

Oral health is an extremely important component of canine overall health in all breeds, including Bluetick Coonhounds. Without a healthy mouth, Bluetick Coonhounds may be more at risk of developing health issues. Thankfully, there are a variety of products on the market today to help ensure that your Bluetick Coonhound has the healthiest mouth that they can with your help.

The Veterinary Oral Health Council has provided a comprehensive guide to products that they have accepted for dogs. This list includes dental diets, rawhide chews, edible chew treats, oral gel spray, toothpaste, oral wipes, and professional teeth sealant. You can use these products in between professional teeth cleanings to help keep up on oral health at home and prevent various oral health conditions.

Some oral health products even include ingredients that can help support other areas of health. You can address joint health, digestive health, and skin and coat health conditions along with oral health through various products. When shopping for oral health products, be sure to consider other areas of health that your Bluetick Coonhound could use some support. You may also find a variety of products that work perfectly for your dog’s overall health as well as their oral health.

Oral Health Options We Love

Bluetick Coonhound Exercise

Exercise is an important part of any Bluetick Coonhound’s life. Through exercise, Bluetick Coonhounds can maintain a healthy weight and prevent a variety of health conditions. Since Bluetick Coonhounds are relatively active, exercise shouldn’t be too much of a chore. Nevertheless, Bluetick Coonhound owners should do all that they can to ensure that their dog is getting the recommended amount of daily exercise.

One of the best ways to exercise your Bluetick Coonhound is by taking them for walks. Bluetick Coonhounds love to follow their nose and can go for miles when following a scent. Because of this, taking them for daily walks can be a fun, easy, and motivating way to get in some exercise.

Playing fetch is another great way to exercise your Bluetick Coonhound. Bluetick Coonhounds have a high prey drive, so they love to chase after any moving object. Whether it’s a ball or frisbee, they are sure to go after whatever toy that you choose to throw. If you are looking for a fun and easy way to help your Bluetick Coonhound get enough exercise, take them into the backyard and enjoy playing some fetch together.

Exercise Options We Love

Bluetick Coonhound Nutrition

Aside from exercise, nutrition is also an essential part of Bluetick Coonhound’s overall health. Ensuring that your Bluetick Coonhound gets the proper nutrition can help to keep them at an ideal weight and prevent common health issues. It’s very important to ensure that your Bluetick Coonhound is eating high-quality food that contains all of the nutrients and vitamins that they need.

The food that you feed your Bluetick Coonhound should also depend on their stage of life. Bluetick Coonhound puppies should be on special formula puppy food. This puppy food has all of the nutrients that they need to develop. Senior Bluetick Coonhounds should also be on specially formulated food for older dogs. This food helps support cognitive functioning as they age, as well as joint health.

Adult Bluetick Coonhounds should consume between three to five cups of dry food per day, split between two meals. Since Bluetick Coonhounds are prone to gaining weight, their diet should consist of an appropriate amount of protein and healthy fats, as well as ground bone and vegetables. These healthy dietary agents will help keep your Bluetick Coonhound energized and prevent various common health conditions.

Dog Food Based On Age We Love

Bluetick Coonhound Grooming

The Bluetick Coonhound coat is a big part of their signature look, as well as their protection when out hunting in the fields. In order to keep their coat healthy, it’s an important duty to keep up on grooming.

When hunting with a Bluetick Coonhound, there are a few special grooming steps that you should take. Before going out to hunt with your Bluetick Coonhound, consider giving them a bath with shampoo that contains aloe vera and oatmeal. This type of shampoo has no harsh detergents or fragrance, meaning that it will help mask your Bluetick Coonhound’s scent from the animal that they are hunting, even if that animal is downwind.

Bluetick Coonhounds can be prone to developing dry skin. Because of this, it’s a good idea to try and manage this condition during drier months. Aloe vera spray and wipes are a great option for keeping their skin hydrated and prevent hair loss and thinning that can come with dry skin. Fish oil is also a great thing to add to your Bluetick Coonhound’s diet that can help prevent dry skin.

Be sure to give these various remedies a try to see which one works best to prevent dry skin in your Bluetick Coonhound.

Bluetick Coonhound Products

There is an abundance of different types of canine products on the market today, which can make narrowing down which one is best for your Bluetick Coonhound a little daunting. When it comes to food, be sure to choose a food that has high-quality ingredients and is appropriate for your Bluetick Coonhound’s stage of life. You can feed them a wet, dry, or whole food form of food that will surely satisfy all of their nutritional needs.

Some Bluetick Coonhound owners may choose to crate train their dogs. Crate training your Bluetick Coonhound provides them with a safe place to relax, as well as keeps them from engaging in destructive behaviors when you aren’t home. Be sure to choose the crate that best fits your lifestyle and needs. Need a crate that is portable? Consider using a wire crate that easily collapses. Planning on flying with your Bluetick Coonhound? Plastic crates are great for air travel and easy to use. No matter the crate that you choose, be sure it is appropriate for the size of your Bluetick Coonhound. They should be able to turn around easily, but you should use dividers with Bluetick Coonhound puppies so that the crate can grow with them.

When choosing a bed for your Bluetick Coonhound, consider buying one that is temperpedic. These types of beds support their skeletal system and can help to prevent joint health conditions as they age.

Many Bluetick Coonhound owners will choose to use a harness rather than a collar when walking or out and about with their pooch. Harnesses offer more control and can be more comfortable for your dog than a traditional collar. When choosing a harness, try to find one with padding on the inside for additional comfort.

Resources

National Bluetick Coonhound Association

California Bluetick Coonhounds

Bluetick Coonhounds in Florida

Washington State Coonhound Association

Southern Nevada Coonhounds