Bluetick

The American Hunting Hound

By BreedGuessr · Dog breed learning game maintainers · Published · Updated

Bluetick - dog breed photo

What is the Bluetick?

The Bluetick is a dog breed from Louisiana, USA with about 21-27 inches tall, about 45-80 pounds, a black ticking on white (blue mottled) coat, and a typical lifespan of 11-12 years.

Origin

Louisiana, USA

Life Expectancy

11-12 years

Height

21-27 inches

Weight

45-80 pounds

Coat

Black ticking on white (blue mottled)

Temperament

Athletic, intelligent, highly vocal

What is the Bluetick temperament?

Bluetick Coonhounds are athletic and intelligent hunting dogs with a strong, independent spirit that demands an active lifestyle.

Their most distinctive trait is their highly vocal nature—they were bred to bay while hunting and will announce themselves loudly, which requires careful voice training from puppyhood. Once properly trained and socialized, they're friendly, mindful of their owners, and genuinely enjoy family life, though their nose-driven nature means they'll investigate everything and need supervision around food. They excel at problem-solving and can be challenging to train due to their hunting instincts, but their keen sense of smell makes them exceptional trackers.

Where did the Bluetick come from?

The Bluetick Coonhound originated in Louisiana and was developed by crossing the Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound from southwestern France with English Foxhounds, American Foxhounds, and Black and Tan Virginia Foxhounds.

These dogs were initially registered under broader categories in the United Kennel Club before being recognized as a distinct breed in 1946. The breed gained widespread acceptance relatively recently, being admitted to the American Kennel Club in April 2009 and becoming eligible for AKC coonhound competitions that December.

What health and care needs does the Bluetick have?

Bluetick Coonhounds are generally hardy hunting dogs with a typical lifespan of 11-12 years.

As an active breed, they require consistent exercise and mental stimulation to maintain good health and prevent behavioral issues. Potential owners should be aware of their predatory instincts toward small animals and ensure proper supervision and training.

Which breeds look similar to the Bluetick?

The Bluetick is useful to compare with Afghan Hound, Beagle, Black-and-tan Coonhound, and Bloodhound when practicing similar breed recognition.

How hard is the Bluetick to recognize in BreedGuessr?

The Bluetick gets easier to recognize in BreedGuessr when players focus on its Louisiana, USA origin, black ticking on white (blue mottled) coat, and 21-27 inches outline before choosing an answer.

BreedGuessr reinforces those clues with real dog photos, multiple-choice comparisons, and quick links back to breed guides before you play another round.

What makes the Bluetick memorable?

A memorable Bluetick fact is this: Bluetick Coonhounds have larger paws than nearly all other dog breeds, giving them excellent traction for hunting and tracking.

  • Bluetick Coonhounds have larger paws than nearly all other dog breeds, giving them excellent traction for hunting and tracking.
  • Their distinctive 'blue' coloring comes from black ticking on white fur, creating a navy blue appearance that gives the breed its name.
  • They will 'tree' almost any animal smaller than themselves if given the opportunity, following their powerful hunting instincts.
  • Bluetick Coonhounds are often mistaken for aggressive dogs because they 'greet' strangers with their signature howl while sniffing them thoroughly.
  • The breed was recognized as separate by the United Kennel Club in 1946 but didn't gain American Kennel Club acceptance until 2009.
  • Their cold nose and deep bawl mouth are prized hunting traits that make them exceptional tracking dogs in the field.

Source: Wikipedia. Image: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)