Bluetick Coonhound
Hound

Group:

hound

Size:

large

Lifespan:

11-12 years

Exercise:

high

Grooming:

very low

Trainability:

very low

Watchdog ability:

high

Protection ability:

medium

Area of Origin:

United States

Date of Origin:

1900’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

hunting raccoons

History

The Bluetick Coonhound originated in the Louisiana bayous and the Ozark Mountains in the southern USA in the early 1900's. They probably trace their ancestry to the French hounds such as the Grand Bleu de Gasgogne which were crossed with Bloodhounds and some Foxhounds. They are used for hunting and can tree a raccoon very quickly. In New Zealand, the Bluetick Coonhound is used for possum and pig hunting. The Bluetick Coonhound is reputed to have a "cold nose"; in hound circles, this means that the dog can follow an old trail left by the animal pursued.

Temperament

Bluetick Coonhounds are social and wonderful companions that are devoted to their families. This breed should not be trusted with non-canine pets as their hunting instinct is too strong. Bluetick Coonhounds are excellent at treeing raccoons and often take part in trials to test their skill at this activity. Bluetick Coonhounds are alert and able to work in all terrain situations. Each Bluetick Coonhound has a distinct voice that is recognisable to their owner. Bluetick Coonhounds tend to drool and slobber.

Upkeep

The Bluetick Coonhound is a dog that can run for miles, although it is usually content with a moderate jog or long walk, with an occasional excursion into the field. It can wander if it catches a scent, so a safe area is mandatory. Its coat needs only occasional brushing. Most Coonhounds drool to some extent, and the face may need regular wiping. The ears should also be checked regularly.

Official Breed Standard

The modern Bluetick's colour indicates that it descended from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (French Staghound) as well as the English Foxhound. Many French hounds were brought to America and contributed to the coonhound breeds. One owned by George Washington was recorded as giving birth to 15 puppies, and Washington likened their musical voices to the "bells of Moscow". The Grand Bleu was too slow on the trail to please the American hunter but, when bred to American hounds, it increased their coldtrailing ability and their endurance.

Although Blueticks were originally classified as English Coonhounds, Bluetick breeders broke away from the English breeders in 1945 because they didn't want to follow the trend toward producing a hot-nosed, faster hunter. Proud of their larger, cold-nosed and resolute, if slower hounds, they named their breed and maintained their own hunting style. For a short time, puppies with blue ticking were classified as Blueticks and those with red ticking were still called English. But that practice soon ceased as each Coonhound maintained its own group of staunch supporters.

An intelligent, cold-nosed hunter that trees hard and long, the Bluetick has the ability and endurance to stay on the most intricate track. He is free tonguer on the trail with a medium bawl or bugle voice when striking and trailing. The changes to a steady chop when running and a steady course chop at tree.

General Appearance:
Strong, deep-chested and sturdy with a houndy expression and longish ears, the Bluetick combines power with agility and endurance. An intelligent, cold-nosed, honest hunter that trees hard and long, his overall aspect is kind and self-assured.

Size, Proportion, Substance:
Size: Height Males 24 to 30 inches at the withers; Females 23 to 28 inches at the withers. Disqualification: Undersized. Proportion: Somewhat rectangular. Length slightly longer than height. Substance: Weight Males 55 to 100 lbs. Females 45 to 85 lbs.

Head:
Expression: Pleasantly pleading. Eyes: Almost round, dark brown. Fault: Deep set. Disqualification: Light coloured eyes. Lids: Firm and close. Fault: Sagging lids. Ears: Set below top of skull. Thin and Tapered at ends. Extend almost to end of nose when drawn out. No erectile motion. Skull: Domed and broad between the ears. Muzzle: Square, well proportioned with the width of the skull. Bite: Scissors. Fault: Overshot or undershot.

Neck, Topline and Body:
Neck: The neck is muscular with minimum dewlap. In proportion to body length. The topline is higher at the withers than at hips. Chest: Large, very deep. Girth for adult males 26 to 35 inches. Adult females 23 to 32 inches. Ribs: Well sprung with good depth. Tapered gradually to floating ribs. Back: Moderate length, muscular. Fault: Swayed or roached. Loins: Muscular, broad, slightly arched. Fault: Narrowness at loins. Tail: Medium length, attached slightly below the back line, carried high in a sabre-like curve. Well coated. Fault: Plume or rat tail.

Forequarters:
Shoulders: Powerfully constructed, muscular, gradually tapering down from withers, free moving. Forelegs: Straight, muscular, with a strong straight pastern. Appear straight from either side or front view. Feet: Deep padded, round, arched toes, cat-like when standing.

Hindquarters:
Legs: Hind legs appear straight when viewed from behind, turning neither in or out. Thighs: Upper and lower thighs muscled, curved at stifle, gradually tapering down to hocks. Hock Joints: moderately bent. Fault: Excessively bent at hock joints. Hocks: Firm. Fault: Hind dewclaws.

Coat:
Medium course, rather short, laying close to the body. Smooth and glossy.

Colour:
Dark blue, mottled, spotted by various shaped black spots on back, ears and side. More blue than black preferred. Tan dots over eyes and on cheeks with dark red ticking on feet, lower legs below body line, chest and below tail. Absence of tan on head and body and absence of black spots are permissible. Blueticking should dominate over white in the body coat. Disqualification: Off colours.

Gait:
Steady, determined, ground-covering stride, exhibiting reach and drive.

Temperament:
Intelligent, pleasing. An equally fine companion for a day at home or a night of hunting.

Very Serious Faults:
Undersized, light-coloured eyes, off colours.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.