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Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are thought to be the result of combination between the foxhounds of England and the Bleu Gascogne French hound that were historically used to hunt large game. Their short, dense coat has a unique “ticked” look; a mottled combination of black and white lead to the speckled-blue appearance. Their brushing requirements are minimal, but special attention must be paid to their ears to prevent infection. Standing between 20 and 27 inches and weighing between 45 and 80 pounds, they are well-muscled and rarely chunky. Their arched toes are almost cat-like in appearance. These hounds are passionate and fearless hunters, working well at night because of their exceptional eyesight. They are also able to track in adverse weather, managing difficult terrain with ease. While they excel in raccoon hunts, many are capable of tracking more dangerous animals, such as cougars. All have distinctive voices that are clearly recognizable to individual owners. While intelligent and devoted as a family pet, this breed tends to slobber and drool and can unfortunately not be trusted with non-canine pets. They are open to having kids in the same family, but do best with somewhat older children. Although overall they are very easy to train, house breaking can be somewhat difficult as they are very prone to marking their territory inside. With no known health concerns, this coon hound generally lives between 11 and 12 years. Blueticks are not good apartment dwellers. They need vigorous exercise daily and, at minimum, a medium sized yard to roam. They should never be let of their leash in an unenclosed area as they are liable to wander off for hours tracking a scent.
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