Are bluetick hounds aggressive? Here’s the Answer

What Can Make Bluetick Coonhound Aggressive?

Bluetick Coonhound is not at all an aggressive dog. They are friendly to both people and canine. However, they may have prey drive for small animals and birds. They might sometime show aggression if handled roughly and provoked.

Coonhounds are alert and lively dogs who require excellent, consistent training. Once bonded to their owner, they are particularly devoted pets and can make great companions. While they can get along well with children that they have been raised with, it is sensible to supervise them in the presence of youngsters. Due to their natural hunting instincts, they should not be left with cats or other small animals.

This is a common orthopaedic condition that affects the hip joints. Failure of the hip joint to form properly when a dog is developing results in an inadequate joint that cannot function as it should. Affected dogs will often be lame and uncomfortable, particularly in the later stages of the disease.

Training of the Bluetick Coonhound can be a challenge, not least because of how easily they are distracted by smells. They are a passionate hunter, whose life when outside can be ruled by their instincts. They are known for being tenacious, and will not give up on a scent easily. Hence, they should not be trusted off lead in wide-open areas, as it is not uncommon for them to forget all about their poor owner when an enticing smell is in the air.

Any of the deep-chested breeds are prone to this often devastating condition. Bloat, or Gastric Dilatation, is a true emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. The stomach fills with gas, and in some cases, will rotate on itself (becoming a gastric dilatation volvulus or GDV), making the escape of any gas impossible.

A relatively new breed, the Bluetick Coonhound, came about by breeding the Bleu de Gascogne and a variety of Foxhounds (including the American Foxhound and English Foxhound) in the early 1900s. When first developed, these hounds were often classed into groups depending on where in the USA they were found, resulting in several lines including:

History of the Bluetick Coonhound

Bluetick coonhounds were developed in the United States, and their bloodline dates back even prior to the founding of the country. They are said to descend from French hounds that were gifted to George Washington. The English foxhound, as well as some other hound breeds, are also thought to have played a role in the bluetick coonhound’s development.

The result was a big scenthound with good endurance and an excellent nose for the hunting trail. Frontiersmen used the breed for raccoon hunting, hence its name, as well as big-game hunting. The dogs work well in packs.

The breed has been recognized by other kennel clubs for decades, such as the United Kennel Club in 1946. But the American Kennel Club didn’t recognize it until 2009. Even so, it is a moderately popular dog breed throughout the U.S. and is even the mascot of the University of Tennessee.

Bluetick Coonhound – Top 10 Facts