Bluetick Coonhound
The blue is thousands of black flecks ticked onto white rather than a solid colour. A cold nosed night hunter with a bawl you can hear a long way off.
Photo by Pets Adviser from Brooklyn, USA, CC BY 2.0
Overview
The Bluetick is a Louisiana coonhound, distinguished by the dense blue ticking over a white base that gives it the mottled look and the name. It works a cold nose, meaning it will take a trail that is old and faint where other hounds pass over it.
It hunts at night, alone, and it is known for being particularly determined and particularly loud, both of which are the same trait viewed from different distances.
Temperament
Friendly, devoted and single minded outdoors. Blueticks are affectionate with their families, good with children and generally good with other dogs.
The bay is exceptional even by coonhound standards, and a Bluetick will use it. They are stubborn to train and they respond better to food and enthusiasm than to pressure. The prey drive is high and applies to cats and small animals.
Care and grooming
A short glossy coat that needs a weekly brush. Easy.
Ears need weekly cleaning. Hip dysplasia occurs, and so does a hereditary lysosomal storage disease with a DNA test in some lines. Eleven to twelve years is normal.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day, with scent work. This is an athletic working hound and it does not settle without real exercise.
Secure fencing and a lead, always. They are a poor choice for close housing because of the voice, and an excellent choice for a rural household that will hunt or trail with them.
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