Bluetick Coonhound 285

One of the facts about Bluetick Coonhounds is that they are an original American dog breed. The Bluetick Coonhound originated in the United States and dates back to before the country’s founding. The “ticked” or mottled black-and-blue pattern of their coat and their main function gives them their name. They are a scenthound that was developed specifically for tracking down nocturnal prey like raccoons.

It is thought that the Bluetick Coonhound was created by mixing George Washington’s French staghounds gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette with the English Foxhound and other hound breeds. The goal was to create a scenthound that could pick up a scent that was days or even a week old with the endurance to track it as long as necessary.

Early frontiersmen mainly used the Bluetick Coonhound to pursue raccoons. But, they also often worked in packs to track down bigger game like cougars, lynxes, wild boars, and bears. Although they are an older American breed, the American Kennel Club didn’t recognize the Bluetick Coonhound until 2009. They are a member of the Hound Group.