Canis lupus familiaris
Bluetick Coonhound
Featured photobluetick-coonhound.jpgThe Bluetick Coonhound is a early-20th-century American Coonhound — heavier blue-tick split from the English Coonhound. The Bluetick Coonhound was developed in early-20th-century Louisiana and Tennessee from crosses between the English Coonhound, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (the French scent hound brought to the United States by Lafayette in 1785 and gifted to George Washington), and the American Foxhound.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States (Louisiana / Tennessee)
- Origin period
- Early 20th century
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Dark Blue Mottled (Tick) on White, with black spots on the back, ears, and sides
- Average lifespan
- 11-13 years
- Recognition
- AKC 2009 · UKC 1946
Origin
The Bluetick Coonhound was developed in early-20th-century Louisiana and Tennessee from crosses between the English Coonhound, the Grand Bleu de Gascogne (a French scent hound brought to the United States by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1785 and gifted to George Washington), and the American Foxhound. The breed split from the English Coonhound in the 1940s when southern breeders selected for the heavier blue-tick coat pattern over the English Coonhound's faster, lighter build. The United Kennel Club admitted the Bluetick in 1946; the breed has been the unofficial mascot of the University of Tennessee since 1953 and the AKC followed in 2009.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2009, the United Kennel Club followed in 1946.
Standard
The AKC and UKC standards describe a hound of speed and endurance, of moderate to medium-large build, more compact than the English Coonhound, with a short, glossy, hard coat. The defining feature is the dark-blue mottled (tick) coat pattern on a white ground, with black spots on the back, ears, and sides; tan markings above the eyes, on the cheeks, and below the tail are permitted. Males stand 56-69 cm at the withers, females 51-64 cm.
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the Bluetick Coonhound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the Bluetick Coonhound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a early-20th-century American Coonhound — heavier blue-tick split from the English Coonhound.
When was the Bluetick Coonhound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 2009; the United Kennel Club followed in 1946.
What is the average lifespan of a Bluetick Coonhound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the Bluetick Coonhound's average lifespan in the 11-13 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
