Bluetick Coonhound

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

23 Feb 2007 04:05 PM

The Bluetick Coonhound is a newer breed of dog that isn't even recognized by the American Kennel Club yet. (They have been assigned the Hound Group designation, though, and breeders are in the process of getting recognition for them.) Their faces and ears resound "hound," and their distinctive spots and flecking often leave people mistaking them for Dalmatians. (They are not descended from the latter, however.)

Origins

Blueticks originated from English foxhounds, cur dogs, and Bleu Gascogne French hounds, and were originally designated as English Coonhounds. In the 1940s, breeders in the Southern United States, primarily Louisiana, broke away from the English breeders, who were breeding smaller, faster, and "hot-nosed" hunting dogs. (American breeders wanted their dogs to keep "cold-trailing" abilities.)

The United Kennel Club first recognized the breed as an English fox and coonhound, but by 1946 registered them as their own breed.

Appearance

Blueticks stand anywhere from 20-27 inches tall, and can weigh between 45-80 pounds. Their ears are usually longer and sort of floppy, tapering to a point at the ends and reaching to their noses. Their coats may be short but they're dense. The abundant patches of black hairs on a white "background" are what gives the breed their blue speckled bearing.

Temperament

These are intelligent, friendly dogs who enjoy doing what they were bred to do: hunt. They're good with people and children, but can be shy with strangers and aggressive to other dogs. They are devoted to their families, however. Since they are hunters by nature, they don't always mix well with smaller, non-dog pets. They're an active breed best suited to a home with a yard that they can run and play in. Trusting them off-leash is not recommended by breeders, though, because even though they are obedient, if they catch a scent they'll ignore all else to follow it.

Fun Fact

Smokey, the mascot for the University of Tennessee, is a Bluetick Coonhound!

Click here to read about other dog breeds profiled in the Families.com Pets Blog.

Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

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