A purple and dictated heel , the bluetick coonhound can be a rattling hunting companion and gentle best friend wrapped into one shiny physical structure . want an outlet for their “ houndy ” behaviors , these special dogs could amaze your neighbors with their ability to “ sing ” . chance out if this alone breed is a worthy improver to your lifestyle .
Shiny , sleek , and self-respecting , the bluetick coonhound is anadept hound companionwith quite an ability to make " euphony " by baying , howling , and bark when she determine it necessary ( which might be often ! ) .
breed to cut across and go after magnanimous prey like raccoons , wild boar , and even Felis concolor by way of her nose , the bluetick is a large , combat-ready breed with an almost unmatched smelling ability . With manful dog reaching 27 column inch tall and weighing up to 80 pounds ( females are a little littler ) , these puppy do n’t do well being cooped up in the business firm all twenty-four hour period .
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impertinent and full of energy until they finally need a nap near your ft , the bluetick coonhound may not be thebest choice for first - time dog ownersor urban center dwellers , as they require mess of day-by-day , creative ways to use their senses to keep them mentally and physically healthy . They need access to a large , fenced - in domain and should receive day-after-day escapade that permit them to surveil their nose . The bluetick coonhound does best with an possessor who understands that her amazing nose can apace lead her to trouble .
Appearance
silken and distinguished , the bluetick coonhound isconsidered a great stock . male can mature to be 22–27 inches magniloquent and press anywhere from 55–80 pounds . Females tend to be a few inches shorter and typically weigh 45–65 pound .
Bluetick coonhounds resist out , with their name come up right away from their coat pattern . They are a unique - looking stock with their fateful , disconsolate , blank , and sometimes tan coats covered in low black spot ( called ticking ) . They are muscular but svelte under their unforesightful , rough-cut coats . These andiron do shedmoderately , but it ’s nothing a goodweekly brushingcan’t handle . Although this strain does not require regular trip to the groomer , you may find that your bluetick oftenneeds a unspoilt bathafter they go on long excursion outdoors .
The farsighted , darkly colored ears of bluetick coonhounds are magic , give them a very " houndy " visual aspect . And their well - arched , catlike paws show how quick and efficiently they can prosecute an enticing flavour .
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Temperament
Determined and brilliant , the bluetick coonhound can be an affable companion for a habitation that isprepared to meet her motive . These dogs were bred to be well - inunct odor heel machines , capable of tracking down even the most hard of olfactory property lead . When lead without ample chance to use their keen senses , the bluetick coonhound is not a happy camping bus . This means it ’s imperative for bluetick owners to furnish plenty of opportunities to get outside , includingactivities like hikingordaily runs with their owner . acrobatic but also excellent nappers , the bluetick is an adaptable breed .
Any likely bluetick proprietor should realize these dogs are talented " crooners"—they will bay , bawl , bark , andhowl when they feel the need , and this particularly dead on target if they are world-weary or underemployed . This " vocalizing " is beautiful music to a hunter ’s ears . A " bay " is a vocal sound similar to ululation , except bay laurel can be more vivid , with vary pitches and whole step . This unique sound is key for notifying their human they ’ve found a critter , especially if the human is a great distance by and needs to catch up to their hound .
" coonhound in general are alsoknown for being quite vocal , and can be known to embayment or barque when excited or rum , " says Alicen Tracey , DVM atDen Herder Veterinary Hospitalin Waterloo , Iowa , and a Daily Paws Advisory Board member .
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Whether she is on a hike , roaming the backyard , or suddenly snoozing at your foundation , the bluetick makes a gratifying , affectionate associate in a home that has admittance to a tumid , fence in - in yard and ample green distance to investigate . Because these pups can become easily focused on the sights , sounds , and smells of the domain around them , they do bestin a household that has fighting adultsand older children fix to guide them .
The bluetick coonhound may seem individual - minded when it come to succeed her nose and take pastime in strange creatures . Starting right by in puppyhood , and continuing through adulthood , the bluetick should betaught important necessary skills , especiallywalking on leashandcoming when send for . Extra caution should be taken tosocialize a bluetick coonhound pup , making indisputable she meets all sorting of animals and people , visits many different locations , and experiences raft of newfangled things before she matures .
The bluetick coonhound is a wonderful candidate for eye tooth sports . Keen to investigate and experience the world , these dogs do well in competitive bodily process like tracking , rally , agility , scent work , and obeisance , where they can put their super - strong sentience of smell and heap to work for a purpose . As with all dog strain , the bluetick does best when taught to navigate liveliness via consistentpositive support grooming .
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Living Needs
Affectionate and often featherbrained , the bluetick coonhound is a sweet and devoted best friend . Because she is such a consecrate canine , she will not wish being leave home alone in a doghouse all day , and doing so may make her want to express her thoughts through loud baying , wondrous , and barking . If you do n’t want your neighbor to get broken with you , make indisputable you render a comfortable retreat for her ( away from cark windows ) when you must be out . Giving her access toplenty of interactive toyswill keep her preoccupied , too .
The bluetick coonhound is very adaptable but does postulate a home with a secure , fenced - in M . These hound dogs can start and are prepared to investigate tree diagram , fence top , and any other structure where a critter may be survive . No ordinary fencing will do , so be prepared to vest in a 6 - foot privateness fence around your backyard . She will enjoygoing for long walks , hikes , and romps in a big backyard , but then she needs to be allowed a comfortable patch near you for sleep and relaxation .
flat livingmay not be an ideal billet for a bluetick if you are the case of possessor who finds long morning walks unpleasant or does n’t enjoy Lot of trips outside every day . This large , sometimes bouncy breed can inadvertently wreak mayhem in a lowly space . And , combine with their ability to track anything that displace , these dogs need an possessor that isprepared to teach them life skills . Spending ample lineament time each day venturing outdoors and playing stimulant game will go a long way in helping a bluetick look more comfortable in any domicile space .
When the bluetick decides something outside is extremely interesting , she may not notice small children or unprepared family member . Keeping her engaged while on leash is a undecomposed way of life to help prevent any mishaps , and possible whelp parents should understand that the bluetick ’s uniquely exuberant nature makes her good - fit for household with sometime children and more fighting adults .
Care
The bluetick coat give off a sleek and glistening visual aspect with her scant , vulgar hairs that require weekly brushing to help with peeling . Blueticks ' coats do n’t provide much aegis in cold winter month , so owners need to check their dog have access to cozy spaces , pluscute sweatersandwarm coatsfor outdoor slip . Just like with any strain , bi - weekly nail trimsare crucial to celebrate bluetick paws healthy and ready for action .
Although you do n’t need to spend tidy sum of prison term and money at a groomer each month , youwillneed to invest in right gear mechanism for quality exercise . This include abody harness , long - line threesome , and wad of interactive and enriching toys , plus that 6 - foot fence around your yard . These dogs can get carried away with their nose chop-chop , forget their environment ( and even you ! ) , so it ’s not a good mind to let them rove freely - off leash — specially in areas that are heavily populated with elevator car , other dogs , or humans .
" Due to the nature of their breed as a scent hound , they do lean to follow their nose , which can sometimes get them in trouble , " Tracey says .
Health
The bluetick coonhound isa intelligent , stalwart breedthat lives an norm of 11–12 years . Their size , bodily function point , and sometimes unsatiable desire to smell out interesting thing may make them susceptible to cuts , scrapes , and leg injuries or pesky particles finding their style into their noses . Caution should be conduct to ensure your bluetick is safe and felicitous when out on an risky venture .
Like many large breed with deep chests , the bluetick coonhound is vulnerable togastric crookedness , also known as " bloat,“which is a very serious and life - menace condition . Care should be taken after a bluetick engages in extensive bouts of exercise to ensure they rest before toast too much water or feeding .
With their charming long ears , blueticks are also prone togetting auricle infection , so owners should check out andclean the pinna regularly .
" Floppy ear dogs are prostrate to the ontogenesis of ear infections — and these floppy spike dogs are no exception , " Tracey allege . " Ear infection can be get by a miscellanea of perpetrator includingear mites , barm , or bacteria . It is authoritative to distinguish between the three , as they require different types of medicinal drug . "
Many breeds are prone to subject of the hip spliff , specificallyhip dysplasia , which is a degenerative joint disease , Tracey tell . Owners should have their bluetick coonhound ’s rose hip checked by their veterinary surgeon as they grow and historic period .
History
Like all coonhound breeds , the bluetick coonhound is an American scent hound , but it is recollect that the bluetick ’s breeding origins extend before the founding of the body politic . The strain can be traced to the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne dog and theEnglish foxhound .
As a scent cad , it ’s in the bluetick ’s nature to hunt and pursue prey with their powerful nozzle . With their awe-inspiring sense ability , these dogs were spawn to track the olfactory property of quarry and would force the animal to mount a tree diagram ( called " treeing " ) , giving the hunter well-fixed access to them . other blueticks were a favorite breed by mountain man , and when not act on creature like raccoons , they go with their handlers on big hunts for large game such as black bear , lynx , and even cougars .
Breeders of the bluetick developed the dogs to have a " inhuman olfactory organ " , think of they can track a aroma that is hours or even solar day old . This attainment makes them well - suited for search - and - rescue and scent work .
A Southern favourite , the bluetick is theTennessee body politic dogand has been the mascot of theUniversity of Tennesseesince 1953 . The American Kennel Club recognized the bluetick coonhound in 2009 .
