Bluetick Coonhound

The Bluetick Coonhound is an American scent hound marked by a dark, mottled "blue" coat of dense ticking — a cold-nosed trailer prized for working a difficult track.

History

It was developed in the United States, with French hound in its background, into a determined night-hunting dog that trails raccoon and larger game slowly and surely and trees it with a loud, drawn-out bay. The blue-ticked coat is its signature.

Temperament

The breed is known for being intelligent, determined and affectionate — a devoted, easygoing companion at home and a relentless, vocal worker on a trail. It carries a strong prey drive.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and a securely fenced space, and training rewards patience with a scent-driven mind. The short coat is easy, but the ears need regular cleaning.

Health

The breed is generally healthy and hardy; noted tendencies include hip dysplasia, ear infections, cataracts and the bloat risk of a deep-chested dog. These are patterns for the breed rather than a verdict on one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.