30d • Breed of the Week
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is an American breed that originated from Louisiana and is said to be the decedents of the mix of Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound from France, the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound and Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound. To find information on the breed anything prior to the 1920s going all the way back to George Washington is quite difficult. It is thought that General LaFayette gifted Washington 5 French hounds, possibly the French stag hounds that were popular at the time, the white hound, Grand Gascon Saintogeois and the blue hound the Grand Bleu de Gasconge.
After this time is when the crosses with the English Foxhound would start with the possible reason being to get a “faster, hotter-nosed hound”. The big game hunters of the area were more interested in a dog that was slower with a cold nose capability. Due to this desire the breed branched off into the Bluetick and the English Coonhound. Originally the Bluetick Coonhound was originally classified as an English Coonhound with the Bluetick and Redtick (English) being born in the same litter.
In 1946, a group of breeders got together and created a breed standard and petitioned the United Kennel Club to recognize the Bluetick Coonhound as a separate breed. The Bluetick Coonhound has gotten smaller due to the prominence of hunting for racoons but there are some reminiscing breeders that are trying to return the breed to their original size by crossing them with Grand Gascon Saintogeois.
The temperament of the Bluetick Coonhound is one of any working dogs. They are athletic, hardy and need a full time job in order to feel fulfilled and happy. They are excellent problem solvers but also difficult to train. It is recommended that they are supervised around cats and other small animals as they will tree almost any animal smaller than them. If they are appropriately socialized as young pups then they can be family pets more successfully.
When being greeted by a Bluetick Coonhound it is not uncommon for them to come across as a lot with their big baying howl and relentless sniffing until they feel satisfied they have taken you in. Their noses are also subject to getting them in trouble with counter surfing so keep counters and other places such as trash cans clear and away from the breeds mischief.
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Bluetick Coonhound
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