Bluetick Coonhound
About the Bluetick Coonhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-27" |
| Weight | 45-80 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $500-$1,200 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Bluetick Coonhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Bluetick Coonhound
The story behind the Bluetick Coonhound
Blueticks descend from French staghounds, including hounds reportedly presented to George Washington, crossed with English foxhound and other coonhound stock across the American South, particularly Louisiana and Tennessee, through the 1800s. Hunters wanted a cold-nosed hound that would work a difficult old trail rather than only a fresh one, and that could handle raccoon, boar, bear and big cats in heavy country at night. The type was registered for a period as a colour variety within the English coonhound before breeders who preferred the slower, colder-trailing style separated it, and it gained its own name in the 1940s, with AKC acceptance arriving much later. Blueticks are still kept chiefly as working night hunters throughout the southern states.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Treeing, Trailing. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Bluetick Coonhound
A working night hunter needs energy density matched to season, with substantially more during hunting months and considerably less through the off period, since idle coonhounds gain weight readily. A quality adult food supporting lean muscle and sound feet suits this hard-used build.
Watch for: Nothing specific is documented across coonhound breeding, and reactions occur individually. Long drop ears create persistent ear problems frequently blamed on food without cause, while enthusiastic scavenging complicates matters further. Have a veterinarian assess ongoing skin or digestive issues before switching diets.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Bluetick Coonhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.