Bluetick Coonhound

Moderate shedders, grooming your Bluetick Coonhound dog isn’t overly burdensome. Brushing twice a week with a medium-bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt, or a hound glove will keep them looking their best. And unless your canine compatriot gets into something particularly muddy or messy, your Bluetick dog will only need a bath about every other month. Regularly check those adorable ears after your outside romps, however, and be sure to keep them clean and dry so you can prevent bacterial or yeast infections.

As with all dogs, you should trim the Bluetick breed’s nails regularly to avoid pain while walking or running. You’ll know they’re getting on the long side when you hear that “clack, clack, clack” on the floor.

Your Bluetick dog may have more problems with their teeth than other breeds because they drool quite a bit. The drool holds bacteria, which in turn attaches to the teeth and gums causing more dental disease over time. This breed should receive annual dental cleanings by your vet under anesthesia and non-anesthetic dental cleanings every three months to avoid periodontal disease or tooth loss over time. Tartar build-up can quickly lead to gum and tooth infections, which, if left untreated, may result in tooth loss and the potential for damage to the kidneys, liver, heart and joints. Start brushing your Bluetick Coonhound puppy’s teeth at least twice a week and ramp up to daily, if you can.

Among the Bluetick Coonhound traits is a penchant for stubbornness and strong independent streak—what did I just smell??? I MUST go find it!! You might say it’s a canine case of FOMO at every sniff. So while they obviously excel at hunting, training— especially off-leash training—can be tricky. Your best bet is to start early when your dog is a puppy and keep your sessions short so your Bluetick doesn’t get bored.

Be consistent and train in controlled situations (i.e. a fenced yard) where your buddy can’t go off on a solo adventure. If you do this, you’ll find that your pup does well and easily learns basic obedience. A long training lead can be a useful tool when training your pup even in an enclosed area. These long leads give your dog ample room to move around (especially when learning to come when called), but you are still able to gently guide and direct them when needed.

Now, training your Bluetick Coonhound not to bark is another story. While it may be possible to train them to bark only at certain times, ultimately no matter how much you try to teach them and how much exercise these dogs get, they may still bawl, or howl. It’s just who they are.

Socialization is also important to help bring out this pup’s natural friendly disposition. Take your puppy on walks and let them meet new people and other dogs. Consider taking your dog to puppy school. This is a great place to learn how to play nicely with other puppies and meet new adults all in one place.

This pup needs a calm and confident pet parent who understands the need for patience and consistency when working with this breed, which is why these pups are recommended for people with previous experience with dogs. And, because who doesn’t want another Pro tip, here you go: Blueticks (like all breeds) respond to positive training methods that rewards them for the things they’ve done right (treats, praise and fun play breaks) and redirecting them when they’ve done something you don’t want them to do.

Bluetick Coonhounds typically do well on high-quality commercial dog food. Be sure to look for a statement on the food’s packaging that says it meets the nutritional standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. It’s also important to factor in your dog’s age and choose a formula that fits their stage in life (puppy, adult, senior).

The Bluetick breed is prone to obesity, so offer treats sparingly and avoid people-food entirely. Even an extra pound or two can create health problems for your pup, like heart disease. So, mix up rewards with massages or play breaks with a special toy. If your pup’s got a little extra chub, chat with your vet. They can help you put together a mealtime + snack + exercise plan to help shed the extra weight and still maintain your pup’s nutritional needs.

Remember: Your veterinarian is always the best source for developing appropriate nutrition and feeding guidelines for your buddy.

Blueticks are born athletes and need copious amounts of activity—they excel at dog sports like agility and tracking and they also love to swim! Long walks, hiking and jogging, at least twice a day, are a must to burn their energy—about 60 to 90 minutes every day will probably do it. Be aware that exercising your Bluetick off-leash can be a dangerous proposition. If they catch an interesting smell, they will NOT come back when called—no matter how well-trained you thought they were. And because the Bluetick Coonhound’s speed is a force to be reckoned with, don’t expect to go catching them if they run off, either. For their safety (and your sanity), always have them on a leash when out for those walks, hikes and jogs. Pro tip: A GPS tracker attached to their collar may be your best friend (just don’t tell your Bluetick… don’t want him to get jealous).

They can also become distracted easily while on walks, so making sure they know what is expected of them and teaching them to refocus their attention are the foundation they need to quickly learn the rules of the road. However, since they’re scent hounds, taking them on walks that let them follow their nose (on-leash) will be good mental exercise for them, too. In addition, training, nose work games and problem solving through work-to-eat and dog puzzles are great ways to engage your Bluetick’s body and brain.

In general, Bluetick Coonhounds need a purpose and they aim to please. Teach your pup to fetch slippers or the morning paper and it’s a win-win for everyone!

Bluetick Coonhounds are the ideal companions for experienced pet parents who embrace these dogs for their wiggles, high-energy hunting and searching skills and talkative nature.

Bred for the hunt, Blueticks thrive most in a home with a large fenced yard or acreage. Apartment or condo living isn’t a great option as shared-wall living and all their barking and howling don’t make a harmonious combination. Blueticks tend to “follow their nose” given their hunting instinct, so be sure to keep your buddy leashed in unconfined areas.

Good with other dogs and older children, Blueticks are natural-born playmates and flourish with affectionate companionship. Yes, they LOVE a good romp outside and marathon (or two). But they equally crave cuddle time inside on your soft furniture, if you’ll indulge them, or blanketing your feet. They’ll welcome routine visits from familiar friends and family, but will alert you to unknown and unexpected visitors with their barking and baying. And, believe it or not, Bluetick Coonhounds can socialize with a trusted family cat despite their prey drive. Why? Well, with the proper training, once they realize who you love, they’ll follow suit and love them right back.