#BLUE TICK HOUNDS TRIAL#

The Bluetick Coonhound excels in these trials. The Bluetick has extremely good eyesight, which allows it to work well at night. Take care when letting them off leash that you are in a safe area. If they pick up a scent they may wander off and not even hear you calling them back, or not care to listen, as they will be too busy trying to find the critter at the other end. Blueticks are curious and have a tendency to follow their noses. The Bluetick does not have a normal sounding bark, but rather a loud bay cry that almost sounds like a short howl. Each dog has a unique 'voice' which its owners usually can recognize. Points are lost for treeing game other than raccoons. Points are given according to the dog's ability to find, trail and tree a raccoon.

#BLUE TICK HOUNDS TRIAL#

Each trial lasts approximately three hours and involves three to four dogs. Each year, hundreds of licensed night trials take place. Raccoons inhabit all states and provinces in the US mainland and Canada, and have for centuries been pursued by hunters. This is a breed that has a strong instinct to tree animals. Do not let this breed off the leash in an unsafe area, as they may take off after an interesting scent. This breed is extremely alert, attentive, and able to work over difficult terrain in bad weather. The Bluetick is a passionate hunter and should not be trusted with non-canine pets. Socialize well, preferably while still young, to avoid them from becoming reserved with strangers. Owners need to be this dog’s firm, confident and consistent pack leader in order to bring out the best in him. Some can be a bit dog-aggressive if the owner is not a strong leader relaying the message to the dog that is unacceptable behavior. It does well living indoors and plays a fine guardian to his family and home.īlueticks get along better with older children, but can also do well with younger ones.

Very devoted to its family, it makes a good companion dog. The Bluetick Coonhound is a very intelligent dog.

#5: A Bluetick Coonhound named Tet was the companion of Stringfellow Hawke, the main character of the popular 1980s television show ‘Airwolf’. #4: Dolly Parton sings about an old woman who lives 'with a one-eyed cat named Wink, a billy goat, and a Bluetick Hound' in her song 'These Old Bones.' #3: Emmylou Harris sings about her friend Lillian's 'Bluetick hound dog, Gideon' in her song Red Dirt Girl. #2: Neil Young has stated that his song 'Old King' is a tribute to a deceased Bluetick Coonhound he once owned. #1: The University of Tennessee’s Mascot is a Bluetick Coonhound named “Smokey”. Be patient and persistent as you help them find their motivation, which is more likely to be food than any real desire to please. Bear in mind that hounds are a challenge to train. This is due to their appearance and 'colder' nose, or slower style of tracking, compared to other modern coonhound breeds.Īlthough he's a hunter first and foremost, the Bluetick can be a fine housedog and loves his people. American Blue Gascons are often referred to as 'old-fashioned' blueticks. Its important to note another breed called the “The American Blue Gascon”, which is often confused with the Bluetick, but is larger, heavier, and more 'houndy' looking than the standard Bluetick. The United Kennel Club recognized this noteworthy breed in 1946, and the American Kennel Club brought it into it’s more recently ~ in 2009, where it now competes in an array of Coonhound events. On the trail, the Bluetick may be slower than some of his coonhound compatriots, but he has a superior nose and a never-say-die attitude.

These dogs have a noble history, being descendants of the French Grand Bleu de Gascogne and the English Foxhound, many of whom were brought to the United States in colonial times. Although they are a hunter first and foremost, the Bluetick Coonhound makes a fine housedog and loves people. He has a pleasant expression and a big ‘bawl’ mouth - meaning they have a long, drawn out bark. Fast and muscular, the Bluetick dog breed stands out for his striking coat.

Blue tick hounds