Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound may be the most devoted of canine companions. This breed is extremely people-oriented, and when scolded can easily have its feelings deeply hurt. A scent hound, this dog was bred to trail for miles over any terrain. It was originally developed to hunt raccoon, but is also used for other purposes, such as tracking cougar. Bluetick owners claim that their dogs will track all night, and then show up the next morning scratched and bleeding exactly where the hunt first began, ready and eager for Round Two. The Bluetick Coonhound's loud bark and howling bay is legendary, and owners are usually able to recognize the sound of their own dog's "voice"� amongst the others during the hunt. Organized, licensed "treeing trials"� are held to test the ability of the dogs to find, trail and then tree a raccoon. These trials are held at night, and involve three to four dogs. Dogs are generally leashed until they can locate the scent, and then are released to track the prey to the tree, where they are expected to hold the raccoon until hunters arrive, sometimes for hours. Dogs are given points for each phase of the process. The Bluetick Coonhound has a muscular, lean build. It averages 21 to 27 inches in height at the shoulder, depending upon the sex of the individual. In a variation of this breed, called the American Blue Gascon, males can easily reach 30"� tall. The coat is short to medium length, dense and rather coarse, but glossy in appearance. Typically it has a light base, with dark mottling or "ticking"� over it is this that gives it a "blue"� appearance. This breed also has large dark patches over its head and eyes, and sometimes on its shoulders and back. The long drooping ears are generally black. The breed originated in Louisiana, where French settlers kept a hound native to southwest France that was used to hunt large game, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne also known as French Staghound. This dog was an excellent cold-nosed scent hound that worked slowly, diligently and determinedly. American hunters crossed the Grand Bleu de Gascogne with English and American foxhounds, hoping to create a breed that was more hot-nosed, could work faster, and was more suited to the coon hunting style that had become popular. The resulting dog was hot-nosed, and covered the trail much more quickly. It initially became known as the English Coonhound. Puppies with blue ticking were considered "American"� and those with more red ticking were called "English"�. But fanciers of the breed petitioned the United Kennel Club to recognize the new breed as distinct from the others, and in 1945 it did and dubbed the dog Bluetick Coonhound. In more recent decades there has been a movement to revive and preserve the older cold-nosed hunting style and some breeding programs again emphasize the style of the original Grand Bleu Gascon from this effort comes the variant American Blue Gascon. The Bluetick Coonhound is not a breed to live successfully in a small space; this dog needs to keep physically and mentally occupied. Without a regular outlet for its mental energy it can become high-strung and destructive. Boredom can result in fence-climbing and digging up the yard. The Bluetick Coonhound generally does best with the company of another dog. This breed, when not confined, should be kept leashed unless it is being used to hunt; its prey drive is extremely high and it will give chase to smaller non-canine animals such as cats, other pets, and other small animals which cross its path. The Bluetick is said no have little to no road sense: it's mind will be solely on the prey when it crosses that busy street! Leash training needs to start early, since its strong nose predisposes it to pull excessively while on leash, and daily walks are absolutely essential. These walks should be brisk and cover a fair distance. The Bluetick Coonhound is always behind its own nose: garbage, food, anything with an odor will be irresistible. Owners must be ever vigilant to keep this dog out of mischief. The Bluetick is very vocal and is naturally given to communicating with its "voice"� which involves not only barking but howling, baying and yodeling to communicate its point of view. For this reason, this breed needs to live where there are not neighbors nearby. Given plenty of space, exercise and mental stimulation, the Bluetick is an exceptional family dog. This dog will almost never bite, even when provoked it is statistically the least likely breed to inflict a bite on a human! Although it is a useful watchdog who will always announce a visitor, it will not attack or bite an intruder. The Bluetick Coonhound is known to be excellent with even very young children. Because of its bred-in instincts the Bluetick is an independent problem solver, and is naturally highly intelligent. Training may initially be challenging as the dog second-guesses the owner; but an owner who can establish a benevolent leadership position early in the relationship will find that this breed is a joy to train, and is ever-after devotedly obedient. The Bluetick Coonhound is people-oriented almost to a fault. It will need frequent affection and assurance. This dog will be closely tuned in to family activities and will want to be included. But it settles into the life of an active family like a glove, ever-devoted, ever-loyal, kind, calm and sweet-natured. For the owner with a little land, time to put into initial training, and a family that is outdoors-oriented, the Bluetick Coonhound can be an excellent companion. Aside from using this breed for hunting, owners of the Bluetick Coonhound may enjoy participating in tracking competitions or search and rescue training with their dog.

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