Bluetick Coonhound 2025 Guide: Temperament, Training & Care 🐶✨

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

1. 🏛️ Breed History & Origins

Originating in the Southern United States, the Bluetick Coonhound descends from English Foxhounds, American Foxhounds, and the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne. Bred for raccoon tracking and treeing, it was recognized as a distinct breed by the UKC in 1946 and by the AKC in 2009.

2. 📏 Size, Appearance & Coat

• Height: Males 22–27″; females 21–25″
• Weight: Males 55–80 lb; females 45–65 lb
• Coat: Short, smooth blue-ticked pattern with black spots; sometimes tan markings
• Build: Muscular, athletic, with cat-like paws and floppy ears

3. 🧠 Temperament & Personality

• Loyal, affectionate family dogs but highly driven scent hounds
• Intelligent, independent, sometimes stubborn—responds best to positive reinforcement training
• Vocal with a loud bay—ideal for hunting, less so for apartment living

4. 🏞️ Exercise & Environment Needs

Blueticks are energetic athletes needing 1–2 hours/day of vigorous activity—tracking, running, hiking—plus a securely fenced yard to prevent scent-driven escapes.

5. 🏫 Training & Enrichment

• Begin early socialization and obedience training.
• Include tracking, scent work, agility, or field trial participation.
• Voice-training is important—consistent cues help with baying and distractions.

6. 🍽️ Nutrition & Feeding

Provide a quality, balanced diet tailored to activity level. Monitor portions to avoid obesity—common in working breeds.

7. 💉 Health & Lifespan

• Lifespan: 11–12 years on average.
• Common Concerns: Hip and elbow dysplasia, bloat, ear infections, cataracts or PRA, skin allergies.
• Avoid: Free-feeding and high-intensity exercise immediately post-meal to reduce bloat risk.

8. 🛁 Grooming & Hygiene

• Brush weekly to maintain coat health and manage shedding.
• Clean ears weekly to prevent infections—common in droopy-eared breeds.
• Bathe monthly or as needed.
• Brush teeth at least weekly; trim nails regularly.

9. ✅ Owner Suitability & Lifestyle Fit

• Best for: Active households, rural/suburban settings, experienced owners.
• Not ideal for: Apartment dwellers, sedentary lifestyles, owners who can’t commit to strong training.
• Good with children (especially older ones) and other dogs if socialized early.

10. 🌟 Final Thoughts

The Bluetick Coonhound is a devoted, athletic, and intelligent scenthound requiring mental stimulation and structured training. With ample exercise, a secure home, and consistent leadership, they transition beautifully into beloved family companions.

Reviewed by Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. Sources: AKC, PetMD, DogTime, Spruce Pets, Wikipedia.