Bluetick coonhounds are known for their hunting abilities and agility. This breed gets its name from its deep blue colored coat, which has flecks all over. Its short coat hardly requires any grooming. Blueticks have an amazing ability to track raccoons and corner them in trees with their acute sense of smell and vision. On cornering the animal on the treetop, the dog gives out a howl-like cry to attract its owner so that the raccoon can be eliminated.
Breed Origins
The Bluetick Coonhound descended from the French Staghound, also known as Grand Bleu de Gascogne, and the English foxhound, according to the American Kennel Club. When the breed was introduced in the United States, it was known as the English Coonhound. However, the name was changed to Bluetick Coonhound in 1945, as the breeders in America didn't want to breed small, hot-nosed and fast dogs. So, they concentrated on breeding slower but larger dogs with cold noses. The American Kennel Club recognized the Bluetick Coonhound as a separate hound breed in 2009.
Appearance
The Bluetick Coonhound is an active, well-muscled dog with a smooth, lustrous darkish-blue speckled coat. Some of the dogs can have tan markings on the chest, cheeks and around the eyes. The coat is thick and short, but glossy. The accepted height standard for males is between 22 and 27 inches, and for females, between 21 and 25 inches. Males tend to weigh between 50 and 80 pounds, while females weigh between 45 and 65 pounds.
Temperament
This breed is faithful, intelligent, as well as diligent. It enjoys living indoors, as long as it gets sufficient physical exercise every day. However, it's not a breed that can live in an apartment, as it requires some time to run around free and play on its own. If a Bluetick Coonhound doesn't get daily exercise, it can turn destructive. This breed is gentle with children and will get on with other dogs in the household. However, it won't get on with other pets due to its natural instincts to track and hunt. When kept unsupervised in the yard, it's best to leash the dog or keep it in a secure area so that it doesn't give in to its primal nature to hunt and track animals.
Grooming
Due to their short coat, Bluetick Coonhounds don't require daily grooming sessions. Brushing it once a week takes care of its grooming needs. Bathe the dog when it appears visibly dirty. Check the ears for ear wax regularly, as this breed is prone to ear infections. Talk to your veterinarian about cleaning the ears with a dog ear cleaning solution to keep the ears clean and infection-free.
Life Span
The average life span of a Bluetick Coonhound is about 11 to 12 years. However, some dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems, which can have an effect on their life expectancy. The common health issues that seem to afflict this breed include hip dysplasia, Krabbes disease and cataracts.
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