Bluetick Coonhound

The "tick" part is the black-and-white mottling effect in our coat. The "blue" takes us back to our ancestral Grand Bleu de Gascogne, the French stage-hounds, and to the English Foxhounds. In the United States we were the "English Coonhounds" until 1945, when a separate breed standard and new name was established. And yes, we're every raccoon's worst nightmare -- happy and howling to chase him or her up a tree in a minute. We're also the athletics mascot at the University of Tennessee. The Bluetick Coonhound was recognized by the AKC in 2009 and placed in the Hound Group.

• Affectionate, devoted family friend
• Agile and active
• Born to run, happy to walk
• Busy is better than bored
• Cats should keep their distance
• Confident and self-assured
• Courageous canine
• Energizer doggie
• Even-tempered, good-natured

• Hardy hunter
• Independent thinker
• Intelligent and ready to learn
• Lives to work
• Loves kids and vice versa
• Novice owners will be challenged with this breed
• Outdoor enthusiast
• Loud, howling bark
• Pleased to please
• Caters to the country, tolerates town
• Socialization and training must start early
• Steadfast and strong
• Stubborn streak
• Training can be difficult

If you're looking for a family pet, I need you to understand the family you're joining when you get a Bluetick Coonhound. We're a family of active hunters. Some would say we're the Loud Family. I need you to start my training and socialization early (and warn the cats in the household) and stick with me as I mature. Find some canine sports to help me burn off energy (anything with running would be great). After a good workout, we can both head back to the homestead and harmonize to my favorite Charlie Daniels song: "Kinda like my old Bluetick hound, I like to lay around in the shade."

Generally a healthy breed, but watch for neurologic disorders, osteochondritis, and lymphosarcoma.