Bluetick Coonhound Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: United States
The Bluetick Coonhound is a large, muscular American scenthound originally developed to trail and tree raccoons and other game using its exceptional nose. Known for its distinctive mottled blue coat and loud, melodious bawl voice, this breed is devoted to its family but requires experienced, active ownership.
| Breed | Bluetick Coonhound |
| Size | Large (55–80 lbs) |
| Height | 22–27 inches |
| Lifespan | 11–12 years |
| Temperament | Loyal, Energetic, Friendly |
| Energy Level | Very High●●●●● |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Low Maintenance |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Bluetick Coonhound Overview
The Bluetick Coonhound is a powerful, athletic breed built for endurance in the field, capable of trailing cold scent for miles across rugged terrain. At home, Blueticks are affectionate and loyal companions who bond closely with their families and enjoy being part of daily life. Their strong prey drive, vocal nature, and independent scent-hound instincts mean they thrive best in rural or suburban settings with plenty of space and a securely fenced yard.
📜 History & Origin
The Bluetick Coonhound traces its roots to French hounds, particularly the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, brought to America in the colonial era and crossed with English Foxhounds and other American hounds. Hunters in the American South selectively bred these dogs for cold-nose ability, endurance, and the capacity to track and tree game independently at night. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2009 as a member of the Hound Group, though it had been a staple of Southern hunting culture for generations.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 55–80 lbs (25–36 kg)
- Height: 22–27 inches (56–69 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 45–65 lbs
- Height: 21–25 inches
Coat type: Short, dense, glossy
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Bluetick Coonhounds are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Can show aggression toward other dogs or animals. Early socialisation is important, but this breed may need careful management in multi-pet households.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Bluetick Coonhounds are high-energy dogs that require at least 90 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Bluetick Coonhound)
- Daily amount: 2.5 to 3.5 cups of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Bluetick Coonhound lifespan is 11–12 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active outdoor families
- Experienced dog owners
- Hunters and sportsmen
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- Apartment dwellers
- First-time dog owners
- Owners with small pets
- Requires significant daily exercise
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Bluetick Coonhound vs Other Breeds
✅ Bluetick Coonhound wins at
The Bluetick is generally considered more energetic and slightly more cold-nose capable, making it a preferred choice for hunters who work in challenging scent conditions.
✅ Black And Tan Coonhound wins at
The Black and Tan Coonhound tends to be calmer and slightly easier to manage at home, which can suit owners who want a mellower companion.
✅ Bluetick Coonhound wins at
The Bluetick excels in cold-trail hunting and has a slightly more muscular build suited to rough terrain and long pursuits.
✅ Redbone Coonhound wins at
The Redbone Coonhound is often noted for a warmer, more outgoing temperament that many owners find a little more adaptable to family life.
🏠 Who Should Own a Bluetick Coonhound?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active outdoor families
- Experienced dog owners
- Hunters and sportsmen
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Apartment dwellers
- First-time dog owners
- Owners with small pets
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bluetick Coonhound good for families?
Bluetick Coonhounds are affectionate and devoted to their families, including children, making them loving companions in the right household. However, their high energy, loud vocalizations, and strong prey drive mean they are better suited to active families with older children who can handle a large, boisterous dog. Supervision around smaller children and pets is always recommended due to their size and instinctive chasing behavior.
How much does a Bluetick Coonhound puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Bluetick Coonhound puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 800 and 1,500 GBP, though prices vary based on lineage and availability. In Pakistan, prices generally range from 80,000 to 180,000 PKR, as the breed is uncommon and often imported. In India, expect to pay between 30,000 and 70,000 INR, though finding health-tested specimens from responsible breeders may require significant research.
Is Bluetick Coonhound easy to train?
Bluetick Coonhounds are intelligent but independently minded, which makes training a challenge for inexperienced owners. Their scent-hound instincts mean they can become easily distracted by interesting smells, often prioritizing their nose over commands. Consistent, patient, positive-reinforcement-based training from an early age gives the best results, and recall training in particular should be practiced extensively given their tendency to follow a scent trail.
What food is best for a Bluetick Coonhound?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for large, active breeds is a solid foundation for a Bluetick Coonhound's diet, providing balanced protein, fat, and joint-supporting nutrients. Because this breed is prone to obesity, portion control is important and free feeding should be avoided. Feeding two measured meals per day, avoiding exercise immediately after meals, and consulting a veterinarian about caloric needs based on activity level will help keep the dog in optimal condition.
Does Bluetick Coonhound bark a lot?
Yes, the Bluetick Coonhound is one of the more vocal breeds, known for its loud, distinctive bawl and bugling howl that carries over long distances. This vocalization was bred intentionally to alert hunters to a treed animal, so it is deeply instinctive and can be difficult to fully suppress, making the breed a poor fit for noise-sensitive environments.
Can a Bluetick Coonhound live in an apartment?
A Bluetick Coonhound is not well suited to apartment living due to its large size, very high exercise needs, and tendency to vocalize loudly. This breed requires a securely fenced yard and access to open space to meet its physical and mental stimulation requirements.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Bluetick Coonhound is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 11–12 years, high energy demands, and low maintenance grooming requirements, the Bluetick Coonhound is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Bluetick Coonhound will reward you with years of loyal companionship.