Coonhounds are naturally born hunters. They are a large breed of dogs that have a specialized sense of smell, which they use to hunt small animals, as well as find humans through their scent. Furthermore, there are many types of Coonhounds developed over the years, and one of its breeds is the fast and nocturnal hunters – the Bluetick Coonhound.
The Bluetick Coonhound showcases a beautiful appearance with its unique body coat, as well as other features. Furthermore, similar to other Coonhound breeds, the Bluetick Coonhound also has incredible scenting powers. This breed is also full of energy when it comes to hunting down small animals, such as raccoons. Some of its downsides are its somehow uncontrollable urge to hunt.
Moreover, despite the several features present in the Bluetick Coonhound, experts regard them as extremely affectionate and devoted. Their physical appearance, as well as characteristics, make them great pets. However, Bluetick Coonhounds may not be the perfect pets for new fur parents, but with proper training and care, they’ll turn out as an excellent companion.
Origins of the Bluetick Coonhound
We can trace back the origin of the Bluetick Coonhound to hundreds of years ago. Similar to other breeds of Coonhounds, the Bluetick Coonhound is also an American original. Although there is no definite date as to when was the creation of this breed, several accounts state that its existence began even before the founding of America. The Bluetick Coonhound shows a mixture of various dog breeds, mainly the English Foxhound. These combinations resulted in the creation of a high-endurance hunter, which is capable of hunting with the use of its highly sensitive nose.
Early records of the use of Blueticks were from hunting wily raccoons. They were perfect for hunting such small animals since they have an extraordinary sense of smell, along with sturdy legs and high endurance, which is efficient in catching its prey. However, early frontiersmen not only used Blueticks for hunting small animals, but also for catching large mammals, such as bears, wild boars, lynx, and cougars. The only difference was Blueticks work in groups instead of individually whenever they are hunting big animals.
Characteristics of the Bluetick Coonhound
As mentioned earlier, the Bluetick Coonhound has a large body. It could stand tall up to twenty-seven inches and weighing eighty pounds. Its appearance has its resemblance with other Coonhound breeds, but with a lot of distinguishing features that make it unique. One of the distinct features of the Bluetick is the black and blue pattern of its coat. It has similar eyes and ears with other Coonhound breeds, as well as the ‘pumpkin seeds’ above its eyes.
In terms of its nature, the Bluetick Coonhound is known as a nocturnal hunter. Like other Coonhounds, this dog breed also has an extreme sense of smell, which they use to hunt raccoons. Despite being a natural hunter, Blueticks have affectionate behavior, especially to those who show affection towards it. One fascinating nature of Blueticks is their devotion to their family.
An important feature to take note of when taking care of a Bluetick is their prey drive. This impulse is natural for Coonhounds, and it should be handled properly to avoid any negative effects. For Coonhound impulses, it is best to divert their attention and give them outlets to unleash their behavioral drive.
Caring for the Bluetick Coonhound
Taking care of a Bluetick Coonhound is not so difficult. Its diet could consist of high-quality dog food, but it also works fine with homemade meals. Similar to other dog breeds, make sure to control the amount of food you are going to feed your dog to avoid obesity, as well as other medical conditions.
Since it has a short coat, make it habit to brush its fur weekly with a medium bristle brush to remove dead hair. This practice also enhances hair growth, as well as improving the looks of its skin. Because of its energetic nature, make sure to give them regular baths to remove odor occasionally, or as needed. Lastly, it would be best if you trim their nails regularly to ease them of pain whenever they are walking or running.