Bluetick Coonhound

OVERVIEW OF THE BLUETICK COONHOUND

Droopy-eared Bluetick Coonhounds are an energetic and friendly breed. These intelligent hunting dogs are known for their keen sense of smell and gorgeous mottled coats. Although Bluetick puppies are born white with a few black markings, the coloring or ticking shows up more prominently as they become adults. They generally develop black spots on their body and ears with tan markings on their head.

Despite their hunting background, Blueticks are affectionate dogs, love their human family, and are even great with kids. Their lean yet athletic stature and heavy weight can lead to unintentionally knocking little kids over during play, so they may be better suited to families with slightly older children. Males can grow between 24 and 30 inches at shoulder height with a weight between 55 and 100 pounds. Female Blueticks tend to be shorter and lighter.

Since their origin in America, Blueticks have been prominently featured in many country songs, books, and movies. The University of Tennessee has had a Bluetick Coonhound called Smokey as their famous mascot since 1953.

If you’re welcoming a Bluetick to your family, know that this dog needs a lot of exercise. They’re not the fastest hound but they love to hike and walk for hours. Your pet will need at least an hour of activity daily, which can be divided into two sessions. They’re great at agility, tracking and obedience activities and are happy when they have a job to do. If they’re left to get bored, they’ll find something to sniff out or chew. This generally involves garbage or furniture.

Besides their love for sniffing out and chasing small animals, they also love practicing their vocals. Although this makes them good for alerting you of strangers and is exactly what a hunter needs in a four-legged hunting buddy, it also means these dogs are not a good choice for apartments. Whether greeting others, out on the hunt, bored or excited, the Bluetick loves to express themselves with their signature howl.

In this guide, we’ll give you all the information and tips you need to give your new Bluetick Coonhound the best care possible.

BLUETICK COONHOUND FOOD AND HEALTH

Keeping your Bluetick healthy with a well-balanced diet and the necessary health checks won’t only help them live their best lives but it’ll also keep your vet bills down. If you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure the breeder is reputable and can show you health clearance certificates for hip dysplasia, von Willebrand’s disease, hypothyroidism, and certification that their eyes are healthy. You should see health clearances for the parents and the puppy to prove that they have been cleared of these conditions. These can be verified on the offa.org website.

Hip dysplasia is a hereditary condition but can also occur as a result of hard impact when jumping or due to excessive growth from high-calorie consumption. When the hip joint and bone don’t fit properly it starts to cause discomfort. Although the condition may be present early on, you might only notice severe symptoms later. This includes lameness in one of the rear legs or limping. As your Bluetick ages, it can lead to arthritis.

When it comes to feeding your Coonhound, there are a few important things you need to know. Hounds are generally quite possessive over their food. If you have kids or other pets, don’t let them attempt to interfere with your pet’s food bowl while they are eating. Teach your pup to allow people to handle its bowls as part of their puppy training.

As with all deep-chested dogs, Blueticks are prone to suffer from bloat which can be fatal. If your pet eats too much too quickly, the stomach can distend or twist and cut off blood supply to some of their organs. It can also cause pain and vomiting. Educate yourself regarding symptoms to watch out for and what to do if this happens.

To prevent bloat, avoid feeding your pet pal fatty foods and break up their meals into two or three smaller meals daily rather than one large meal. Keep meals at more or less the same time every day. It can also help to raise your dog’s food bowl off the ground slightly with a dog food stand.

The amount of food your adult Bluetick Coonhound needs may vary between two and three cups daily depending on their daily activity and weight. Take training snacks into account when calculating their daily calorie intake. Avoid overfeeding as they can pick up weight quickly which affects their health.

If you prefer feeding your pet home-cooked meals, lean meat such as fish and poultry are generally good options. Include some vegetables such as sweet potato and peas. Always make sure you know that food is safe for your dog since many human foods including onions, garlic, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, and chocolate (to name a few) are toxic to dogs.

Wheat, gluten, and dairy can cause skin allergies and stomach upsets. If your dog eats anything containing wheat or dairy, start with small quantities and keep a close eye on how they react first.

Feeding your Bluetick dry or wet dog food formula is completely fine, as long as it is a good quality pet food with all the nutrients your dog needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle, skin, and coat. Wetting dry food with a little pet gravy can help change it up. Never give a Bluetick puppy adult food formula. Puppy formulas are designed with specific nutrients required for growth. The packaging will clearly state the dog age the food is intended for with feeding guidelines according to your pup’s weight.

LEASHES AND COLLARS FOR YOUR BLUETICK COONHOUND

Bluetick Coonhounds need a lot of exercise and attention. Start training your Coonhound from an early age and socialize them with other dogs and people. Puppy school can be a good option and so is taking them to busy parks where they can get used to seeing strangers and other dogs.

Hounds need to be trained with patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. They have a good memory and can have a stubborn streak. Harsh or aggressive training methods won’t count in your favor.

Since Coonhounds are led mostly by their keen sense of smell, it’s important to keep your dog on a leash when walking, hiking, or outside your fenced yard. They’ll likely be so focused on a scent or small animal that catches their attention (and leads them astray) that they won’t pay attention to anything else. Not your call, nor traffic.

We recommend a harness for walking, jogging, or hiking and a collar for a name tag with your details. Collars can place a lot of pressure on your dog’s neck and cause damage to its throat. It can also limit blood supply and cause permanent injuries or internal damage. A collar is thus best to keep on during the day, in case your pup gets lost or escapes. Remove the collar in the evening or when your pet is in a secured yard. Leaving it on permanently can cause rashes and infections as well as causing hair around the neck to matt or fall out.

A V-neck harness that clips on is the best option for Blueticks. Choose a leash around 10 to 16 feet in length.

Both harnesses and collars need to be checked regularly during the growth stage to prevent them from becoming too tight and hurting your pup. Since your pup grows quickly, check the collar daily and adjust it when needed. You should be able to fit two fingers between your dog’s neck and the collar interior.

BEST CRATES, BEDS, AND DOG HOUSES FOR BLUETICK COONHOUNDS

Bluetick Coonhounds are loyal and affectionate. Although they love being outdoors, they’ll likely want to sleep inside with their human family. Getting your hound a dog house is not necessary but can be a great place for them to retreat when they feel like taking a nap or if they are left outside during the day.

When choosing a dog house, you need to consider that the size should fit your pup when they are fully grown. This means that your pet pal needs to be able to stand, stretch out and turn around comfortably. Keep in mind that you’ll still be placing a blanket or dog bed inside the dog house which will take up extra space. Choose a house with a removable roof. This makes it easier to clean and air out the interior. You’ll also want a unit that is slightly lifted off the ground to prevent cold and dampness.

A crate can be used for training or as an indoor dog house for your pet pal. Since they can be chewers, a metal option is a good idea. Make it comfortable by placing a bed or blanket and toy inside. You can also get a soft crate cover or a cozy blanket to partially cover it at night. As with a dog house, ensure that there is enough space for your pup to stand, turn and stretch out. Never use the crate as punishment. Even when used for training, keep it a positive space.

Although a crate and a dog house are optional, a dog bed is a must. A good night’s rest is just as important for your Bluetick as it is for you. Blueticks can occasionally have a dog odor. A dog bed or mattress with a removable cover that can easily be washed in the machine will be the best option.

If your dog is elderly or has any joint problems, an orthopedic mattress or memory foam bed will support its joints. For a young, healthy dog you could also opt for a slightly elevated dog bed.

BEST TOYS FOR BLUETICK COONHOUNDS

Blueticks need chew toys, regardless of their age. As puppies, make sure you have teething toys on hand. As they get older, switch to bigger, more durable chew toys.

Fetch toys such as Kongs, erratic balls and even tennis balls are all good options for your Bluetick. Some Kongs hold a treat inside so your pup can get a reward when retrieving the toy. A ball slinger will give you a little extra distance and your pup a little more exercise.

Keep your pup mentally and physically engaged with an outdoor agility training kit. These may include anything from hoops and tunnels to weave poles and jump poles.

GROOMING INSIGHTS FOR BLUETICK COONHOUND OWNERS

Blueticks have fairly short hair and don’t require excessive maintenance. You do need to brush your pet pal weekly and bathe them as needed using a dog-friendly shampoo. They have natural skin oils that keep their coats and skin healthy. Weekly brushing helps distribute this evenly. Washing your pet with a shampoo that is too harsh for their skin will strip these natural oils leading to dry and irritated skin.

All hounds tend to have a bit of a musty odor. Washing can help with this but it is also something you’ll have to get used to as a hound pet parent.

While you’re brushing your pet’s coat, check their skin, paws, and eyes to catch any infections early. With their droopy ears, they can be prone to ear infections. Check their ears daily and ask your vet for cleaning tips. Bad odor or redness around the ears can signal infection.

If your Coonhound doesn’t wear their nails down naturally with outdoor play, trim them at least once a month. Get a professional to do this for you or ask your vet for tips. Trimming just slightly incorrectly will cut blood vessels in their nails and cause pain.

Brush your dog’s teeth daily to prevent gum disease and tartar buildup. Get your pet used to grooming from the puppy stage and always make it a pleasant experience with praise and encouragement. Doing this will make grooming and vet visits easier as they grow up.

BEST BLUETICK COONHOUND ACCESSORIES

Since your pup loves adventures we recommend some hiking items for your pet.

A dog backpack is a lightweight contoured backpack that fits similar to a harness. Your Coonhound should be able to move comfortably without any interference or obstruction while wearing the pack. A leash can be attached at the back and the packs are often waterproof with zipper pouches. Get something with reflective strips if you’re often out before sunrise or after dark.

If you plan on camping with your pet, a blow-up dog bed and foldable bowl will make their journey comfortable without adding any heavy weight or bulky items for the journey.

To learn more about breeds like Bluetick Coonhounds, check out our breed hub page.