Only the Plott, the sixth breed, came from Germany, brought to American shores by Johannes Plott from Heidelberg in 1750. To the casual observer, the temptation to simply lump the coonhound breeds into a single type with color as the primary distinguishing characteristic of each is a common mistake. While some are subtle there are clearly defined differences to be explored within the makeup of each of these notable breeds.
It is my purpose to provide the reader with a breed standard-based foundation upon which to build an ample understanding of the distinctive differences and similarities in the Black and Tan Coonhound, Bluetick Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound breeds. Whether the interest in the breeds springs from the position of breeder, fancier or judge the information should be beneficial if not fundamentally entertaining as we examine the Red, Black and Tan and Bluetick Coonhound.
Each of these breeds was developed for, and requires the same basic skill set to hunt, trail, pursue and tree raccoons. However, the overviews contained in the general-appearance sections of the breed standards show that each breed has been refined to accomplish the task in different ways. The Redbone is to be surefooted and swift. The Black and Tan is to be steady as she goes regardless of climate or terrain and the Bluetick is to be the deliberate worker of intricate scent trails.
The Redbone Coonhound was developed in the southern United States from roots planted in the New World well before the 20th century. The breed is said to be descended from the red foxhounds of Ireland. The Redbone’s flashy solid-red coat covers a powerful and handsomely built chassis, if I may paraphrase, mingling good looks with confidence and fine hunting talent. Bluetick Coonhound history is a bit more specific, citing the breed’s lineage from the St. Hubert Hound to the Talbot Hound in 11th-century England and continuing to the deliberate trailing, supremely cold-nosed Virginia foxhounds possessing the aforementioned treeing instinct.
Similarly to the Redbone, the Black and Tan is said to be fundamentally a trail and tree hound capable of plying his trade no matter the climate or geographical challenges faced. The standard admonishes judges to “place great emphasis upon these facts when evaluating the merits of the dog.” The Bluetick Coonhound was originally recognized as the English Coonhound until set out as a separate breed in 1945. Bluetick fanciers were more interested in avoiding the hot-nosed, fast-hunting style of the English dogs in favor of a colder-nosed, although admittedly slower style of hunting hounds.
While giving a measure in terms of speed to other coonhound breeds, the Bluetick is hailed nonetheless as an intelligent, cold-nosed hunter that trees hard and long, meaning the dog barks steadily at the tree and stays until the handler arrives.
One sentence in the Bluetick standard perhaps defines the fancier’s creed better than any other “The Bluetick has the ability and endurance to stay on the most intricate track.” Among all coonhound breeds, Blueticks are particularly noted for their determination to solve cold and difficult scent trails. Physically, the Bluetick is described as “strong, deep-chested and sturdy with a houndy expression and longish ears,” terms that could also easily describe the Black and Tan Coonhound. The Bluetick standard also describes the breed as one combining “power with agility and endurance.” Generally speaking, the trained eye is more aware of the similarities, both physically and in scent-trailing in the Black and Tan and Bluetick breeds, than when either is compared to the Redbone.
Care and Maintenance Bluetick Coonhound
An important Bluetick Coonhound Dog trait is that Foxhounds and coonhounds are scent hounds, developed to track and trail prey by following their noses. They are natural hunters that love to follow a scent and should be constrained or under your control at all times, either leashed or within a securely fenced yard. Although some can be trained to stay by your side off leash, many (if not most) will just run off after a scent. Never forget after a hound dog adoption that a free running hound may end up as a stray in another shelter or, worse, be hit by a passing car.
Because of this Bluetick Coonhound trait, it’s important to remember they need the companionship of other dogs and people and don’t like being left alone for long periods of time. Hound dogs are generally good with other dogs and children, although they may exhibit strong hunting instincts with other small animals and should not be left alone with small pets such as cats and rabbits. Remember after a Bluetick Coonhound adoption that while some are a bit aloof, most love human contact and are affectionate with their people.
Consider a Bluetick dog adoption if you are able to give them plenty of vigorous exercise and mental
stimulation daily. Because of their energy and social nature, hound dogs make great family pets and do their best when they have a large yard where they can run and sniff and work off their energy especially if not used for hunting. Keep them stimulated because hound dogs may bark or bay and can become destructive when bored or lonely. Because of these hound dog traits, they are not ideal dogs for apartments or condos.
stimulation daily. Because of their energy and social nature, hound dogs make great family pets and do their best when they have a large yard where they can run and sniff and work off their energy especially if not used for hunting. Keep them stimulated because hound dogs may bark or bay and can become destructive when bored or lonely. Because of these hound dog traits, they are not ideal dogs for apartments or condos.
Bluetick Coonhound traits that make training difficult include their high intelligence, their independent nature, and their stubbornness. They respond well to treat- and praise-based training; they do not respond well to punishment-based training. If you move ahead with a hound dog adoption, be gentle but firm, and make sure your dog knows who is and who is not leader of the pack in your household.
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