Bluetick Coonhound: A Guide to America’s Baying Blue Hound

If you have ever heard a dog howl so loud it seems to shake the neighborhood, there is a good chance it was a Bluetick Coonhound.

This is a big, tough trail dog with a serious nose, a famous blue-black coat, and the kind of voice that says, “I found something important.”

Bluetick Coonhounds were bred in the American South to track raccoons, but now they are just as likely to crash on the couch after acting like every walk is a top-secret mission.

They are smart, stubborn, and very loving with their family, which makes them amazing dogs for the right person and a handful for the wrong one.

This guide covers where the Bluetick Coonhound came from, what living with one is really like, how much training and grooming they need, and the health issues you should know before bringing one home.

What Is a Bluetick Coonhound?

The Bluetick Coonhound is a scenthound recognized by the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club, developed specifically for treeing raccoons.

Its name comes from its coat pattern: black ticking over a white base that reads, from a few feet away, as a deep navy blue.

Males stand between 22 and 27 inches at the shoulder and weigh 55 to 80 pounds. Females run smaller, typically 21 to 25 inches and 45 to 65 pounds.

Either way, this is a big, athletic dog with a deep chest and long, low-set ears — not a breed suited to a studio apartment.

Where Did the Bluetick Coonhound Come From?

The breed’s roots trace back to French hunting dogs, including the Grand Bleu de Gascogne, that arrived in America in the 18th century.

Some accounts connect this bloodline to hounds gifted to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette.

Those French hounds were crossed with English foxhounds and other American hunting stock over the next century, and breeders in the Southeast eventually refined the result into a distinct type.

For a long time, Blueticks were grouped in with English Coonhounds.

They weren’t split into their own breed and recognized by the American Kennel Club until 2009, even though hunters in Louisiana and across the South had been breeding and using them for generations before that.

What Does a Bluetick Coonhound Look Like?

The signature feature is the coat: a black-ticked pattern over white that creates a mottled, bluish look, often with black patches on the back and ears and tan markings above the eyes and on the legs.

The coat itself is short, glossy, and coarse — practical for a dog that spends time in brush and water.

Beyond the color, the build is all business. The body is square to slightly longer than tall, the legs and hips are strong enough for long treks, and the paws are rounded and cat-like for traction on uneven ground.

The tail is carried high with a slight curve, and the ears — long, thin, and set low — are part of what gives the breed its droopy, soulful expression.

What Is the Bluetick Coonhound Temperament Really Like?

Affectionate, a little goofy, and fiercely loyal is how most owners describe them. Blueticks tend to be friendly with strangers, good with kids, and genuinely happy to be around people.

They’re pack-oriented dogs, so they usually do well with other dogs too.

The catch is that prey drive. Once a Bluetick catches a scent, the rest of the world tends to disappear, including your recall commands.

Owners regularly describe them as headstrong, and a secure fence isn’t optional — these dogs are known for testing gates and squeezing through gaps in pursuit of an interesting smell.

They’re also talkers. That deep, rolling bay is part of what made them useful in the field, since hunters could track their dog’s location by ear from a distance.

It’s a wonderful trait if you live somewhere rural. It’s a much harder sell for close neighbors in a suburban cul-de-sac.

How Much Exercise Does a Bluetick Coonhound Need?

A lot. This breed was bred to run for hours, and a short walk around the block won’t come close to meeting that need. Plan on at least an hour of real exercise a day — jogging, hiking, or a securely fenced yard where the dog can move at full speed.

Without enough physical and mental output, Blueticks tend to get creative in ways owners don’t love: digging, howling, or turning the couch into a chew toy.

A bored Bluetick is a loud, destructive Bluetick, so treat exercise as a non-negotiable part of ownership rather than a nice-to-have.

Is the Bluetick Coonhound Easy to Train?

Not particularly, though it’s not impossible either. These are intelligent dogs — they were bred to solve problems on the trail without human direction — and that same independence makes them a bit stubborn on a leash or in an obedience class.

Blueticks respond best to positive reinforcement: treats, praise, and short, consistent sessions rather than repetition-heavy drilling.

Early socialization matters more than usual with this breed, given how much they rely on their nose. A well-socialized Bluetick learns to check in with its owner even when a scent trail is tempting. One that skips that step can be a handful on off-leash outings.

If you’re drawn to the breed’s hunting pedigree and want a name that fits the job description, a list of hunting dog names is worth a look before the puppy comes home.

How Do You Groom a Bluetick Coonhound?

Grooming is one of the easier parts of owning this breed. The short, dense coat needs a weekly brushing with a rubber curry brush or hound glove to control loose hair, and shedding is moderate rather than constant.

Bathe as needed, generally once a month, using a gentle shampoo so you don’t strip the coat’s natural oils.

Those long ears deserve extra attention. Because they hang low and trap moisture, weekly ear checks and cleaning go a long way toward preventing infections — one of the more common health complaints in the breed. Regular nail trims and teeth brushing round out the routine.

What Health Problems Should Owners Watch For?

Bluetick Coonhounds are generally a healthy breed, but a few conditions show up often enough to be worth watching for:

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — malformed joints that can lead to arthritis and mobility problems later in life
• Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) — a serious, sometimes fatal condition more common in large, deep-chested breeds; avoid heavy exercise right after meals
• Ear infections — a byproduct of those long, floppy ears trapping moisture and debris
• Cataracts — a common cause of vision loss in older dogs, sometimes treatable with surgery
• Coonhound paralysis — a rare immune reaction, occasionally linked to raccoon bites, that causes temporary loss of leg function; most dogs recover with supportive care over several weeks

Buying from a breeder who screens for hip and elbow health, and keeping up with regular vet visits, catches most of these issues early.

How Long Do Bluetick Coonhounds Live?

Most Bluetick Coonhounds live between 11 and 12 years, which is typical for a dog of this size.

Genetics, diet, exercise, and how early health issues get caught all play a role in where an individual dog lands in that range.

Bluetick Coonhound vs. Treeing Walker Coonhound: What’s the Difference?

Both are American-developed scenthounds bred for raccoon hunting, and both come from foxhound ancestry, which leads to some understandable mix-ups. Here’s how they compare:

Trait	Bluetick Coonhound	Treeing Walker Coonhound
Coat color	Black-ticked, blue-mottled pattern	Tricolor or bicolor, no ticking
Build	Slightly heavier, more muscular	Leaner, built for speed
Voice	Deep bawl or bugle	Clear, ringing bay
AKC recognition	2009	2012
Best suited for	Steady trackers, family companionship	Faster-paced hunts, high-energy handlers

Owners who like the Bluetick’s look but want a smaller dog sometimes end up looking at crosses instead — the Bluetick Rat Terrier is one example that shows up in mixed-breed guides for people after the coloring without the size.

Is a Bluetick Coonhound Right for Your Family?

This breed rewards owners who have space, time for daily exercise, and patience for a dog that thinks for itself.

Active families in rural or suburban settings with a securely fenced yard tend to be the best fit. Apartment dwellers, first-time dog owners hoping for an easy trainee, or anyone with noise-sensitive neighbors should think twice.

For the right household, though, a Bluetick offers real loyalty, an easygoing nature around people, and a dependable, if occasionally loud, presence at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

The Bluetick Coonhound is a striking, big-hearted hound built for the trail but perfectly happy to bring that same devotion home to a family.

It’s not a low-maintenance breed — the exercise needs, independent streak, and vocal habits rule out plenty of households — but for an active owner with room to run, it’s hard to beat the loyalty this breed offers.

If you’re weighing whether one fits your life, talk to a breed-specific rescue or an experienced breeder before deciding; they’ll give you a much clearer picture than any single article can.