Bluetick Coonhound
Also called Bluetick
From United States (southern states, notably Louisiana)1
At a glance the quick version
UKC: males 55-80 lb, females 45-65 lb
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, smooth
A medium-coarse, glossy coat that lies close to the body, on a muscular, athletic hound frame.21
Personality what they are like
Relaxed and loving around the house, happy to doze in the shade, but single-minded and bold once on a scent. Friendly toward people and other dogs, bright, and devoted to its owner once trained.312
Daily activity how busy a day looks
An energetic scenthound that needs daily exercise and outlets for its nose; its strong prey drive means off-lead running should be in secure areas.31
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat is easy to care for with occasional brushing; training is best started early and kept consistent, including teaching when to be quiet.21
Home where they are happiest
Suits homes with outdoor space and neighbours who do not mind a musical, baying voice; keep small pets supervised around it.1
Company who they like around
Sociable with people and generally gets along with other dogs, reflecting its pack-hunting roots.2
The story where it all began
Descended from English and American foxhounds blended with French hounds such as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, the Bluetick was shaped in the American South as a cold-nosed raccoon hunter. It was registered as an English Coonhound until breeders asked the UKC to recognise it separately in 1946, and the AKC followed in 2009.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Smokey, the live mascot of the University of Tennessee, is a Bluetick Coonhound.1
- 2
The 'blue' colour is really dense black ticking on a white coat, which reads as navy blue from a distance.1
- 3
Its hunting voice switches from a bawl on the trail to a chop when it has treed its quarry.2
- 4
A Bluetick named Boone was elected dog mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, in November 2024.1
Recognised by the official bits
- UKC
- Recognised as a separate breed in 19462
- AKC
- Recognised April 2009, Hound Group1
- ANKC
- Recognised1
- New Zealand Kennel Club
- Recognised1
- FCI
- Not recognised1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bluetick Coonhound. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
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Black and Tan Coonhound
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Grand Bleu de Gascogne
American English CoonhoundLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Bluetick Coonhound en.wikipedia.orgused for origin, ancestry, AKC recognition, size, trivia
- UKC Breed Standard: Bluetick Coonhound ukcdogs.comused for recognition year, size, coat, colour, voice, temperament
- AKC: Bluetick Coonhound akc.orgused for temperament summary
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.