Bluetick Coonhound
Official Cynology Profile & Standard Data.
History & Overview
Origin and historical development
The Bluetick is a scenthound, and the American Kennel Club draws the line clearly: sighthounds such as the Whippet and the Greyhound hunt by eye and speed, while scenthounds follow a trail by nose over distance. The Bluetick and its coon-dog cousins belong firmly to the second kind.
Like every coonhound breed it is an American creation, worked out by settlers who needed a dog that would trail the raccoon through the night and hold it at a tree until they arrived.
The coat gives the breed its name. The dark blue mottled effect comes from black ticking laid thickly over a white ground.
Breed Standard
How the breed is described and measured
The breed is registered by the American Kennel Club and Dogs Australia. Their standards describe the same dog and differ mainly in how they state size.
What the standard asks for
“The Bluetick should have the appearance of a speedy and well-muscled hound.”
— Dogs Australia breed standard
Size, standard by standard
- American Kennel Club — height 55.9-68.6 cm (males), 53.3-63.5 cm (females)
- Dogs Australia — height 55.9-68.6 cm (males), 53.3-63.5 cm (females)
Full standards: American Kennel Club · Dogs Australia.
Country of origin: United States of America
Breed Trivia
Unique facts and fascinating details
- The blue in the name is an effect of dense black ticking on white.
- It is one of the American coonhound breeds developed by settlers.
- Both the AKC and Dogs Australia register the breed.
- It hunts at night, which is what its carrying voice is for.
- Males stand 22 to 27 inches at the withers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common inquiries about the breed
Why is it called blue?
Because of the coat. Dense black ticking over a white ground reads as dark blue at a distance.
Is it the same as the Black and Tan Coonhound?
No. They are separate breeds, though both were developed in America for the same kind of night hunting.
Is it recognised outside the United States?
Yes. Dogs Australia registers the breed as well as the American Kennel Club.
How loud is it?
Very. A carrying voice is part of the job, since the hunter follows the hound by sound in the dark.
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