Bluetick Coonhound

Hound Group

Height: 22-27 / 21-25 in

Weight: 55-80 / 45-65 lbs

Life Span: 11-12 years

FriendlyIntelligentActive

Afghan Hound

Hound Group

Height: 25-27 in

Weight: 50-60 lbs

Life Span: 12-18 years

AloofClownishDignifiedIndependent
Bluetick Coonhound
Afghan Hound
Best

Physical Traits

90% similar
Breed Group
Hound
Hound
Size Category
Large
Large
Height (in)
22-2721-25
25-27
Weight (lbs)
55-8045-65
50-60
Life Span
11-12
12-18

Personality & Temperament

Bluetick Coonhound

FriendlyIntelligentActive

"The Bluetick Coonhound is a devoted and tenacious breed with a strong hunting instinct and a keen sense of smell. They are affectionate with family, playful, and generally good with children and other dogs, though their high energy and independent nature require consistent training and engagement to prevent boredom or stubbornness. Their expressive and loyal demeanor makes them a beloved companion for those who appreciate their working-dog heritage."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training due to their independent nature, as well as managing their strong prey drive and tendency to follow scents, which can lead to wandering or difficulty recalling them off-leash.

💡

This breed is ideal for an active, experienced dog owner or an outdoor enthusiast who can provide ample exercise, mental challenges, and a secure environment to satisfy their strong prey drive and hunting instincts.

Afghan Hound

AloofClownishDignifiedIndependentHappy

"The Afghan Hound is an independent, dignified, and aloof breed with a sweet and affectionate side toward those they bond with. Known for their loyalty and loyalty-driven loyalty, they can be challenging to housetrain or adjust to new environments but are generally easygoing with their family and moderately adaptable to strangers. Their high energy and strong hunting instincts require consistent training and secure environments to prevent them from chasing prey."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with the breed's strong prey drive and tendency to chase, as well as the high maintenance required for their long, silky coat.

💡

The Afghan Hound is best suited for experienced dog owners who can provide a structured environment, ample exercise, and patience for training, particularly those who appreciate an elegant, aloof companion with a strong bond to their family.

Purpose & Suitability

Purpose
Hunting (scenthound for raccoon, bear, wild boar, lynx, and cougar)
Sighthound (hunting companion and status symbol for royals, tribal chieftains, and aristocrats in Asia's mountain kingdoms)
Best Suited For
Active owners or families in rural or suburban settings with space for exercise and hunting activities; those who enjoy outdoor adventures and can provide mental stimulation.
Active families or individuals with experience in handling independent, high-energy breeds; owners who can provide ample space and secure exercise areas
Training Difficulty
Moderate
Hard
Care Difficulty
Moderate
High

Coat & Appearance

🧵 Coat Type
Smooth
Silky
📏 Coat Length
Short
Long
🎨 Colors
Blue TickedBlue Ticked and Tan
BlackBlack & TanBlack & SilverBlueBlue & CreamCreamRedSilverWhite
✨ Markings
Black Spots
Black MaskBrindleBrindle Black MaskBrindle DominoDomino

Care & Health

Bluetick Coonhound

Care

Grooming
  • Bluetick Coonhound grooming requires minimal effort due to their short, glossy coat that sheds only moderately
  • Weekly brushing with a medium-bristle brush, rubber grooming mitt, or hound glove removes loose hairs and maintains coat appearance
  • Baths are needed only occasionally unless the dog gets into something particularly messy
  • Regular nail trimming is essential to prevent pain and mobility issues from overly long nails
  • The breed’s grooming routine focuses on coat maintenance and nail care rather than frequent bathing
  • Overly long nails can lead to discomfort and affect the dog’s walking and running ability
Exercise
  • Bluetick Coonhound exercise needs: bred for hunting so requires plenty of activity but also enjoys resting
  • thrives in securely fenced yards for play sessions
  • benefits from long leash walks due to strong scent hound instincts and prey drive
  • excels in canine sports like agility and tracking to channel energy
  • hunting and field trials are ideal outlets for their natural abilities
  • always supervise to manage prey drive during outdoor activities
Training
  • Bluetick Coonhound training: early socialization is key
  • treats are effective training aids
  • consistency is important as with all breeds
  • focus on positive reinforcement methods
  • start training sessions early in their development
  • patience helps due to their independent nature
Nutrition
  • Bluetick Coonhound nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved homemade) suited to age (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • monitor calorie intake and weight to prevent obesity, limit treats to avoid excess weight gain
  • consult vet for safe human foods and dietary concerns
  • ensure constant access to clean, fresh water
  • watch for signs of weight issues and adjust diet as needed with vet guidance

Health

As a generally robust breed, the Bluetick Coonhound may still face risks like bloat, a serious condition where the stomach twists, cutting off blood flow. Owners should recognize symptoms and act quickly if bloat occurs. Their floppy ears require daily checks for infections, and regular teeth brushing is essential for overall health maintenance.

Recommended Tests:

No recommended health tests

Afghan Hound

Care

Grooming
  • Afghan Hound grooming requires attention to their long, silky coat as they mature
  • Afghan puppies have low-maintenance short, fuzzy coats but need more care as adults
  • Several hours of weekly brushing are essential to prevent tangles, mats, and debris buildup
  • Regular bathing with shampoo and conditioner helps maintain coat cleanliness and appearance
  • Nails should be trimmed and teeth brushed regularly, like all breeds
Exercise
  • Afghan Hound exercise care: strong instinct to run off leash makes walking off-leash unsafe
  • short walks insufficient; long runs on leash recommended once mature
  • needs full-speed sprints several times weekly in spacious, enclosed area
  • tall, lean build requires high, secure fencing to prevent escapes
  • athletic breed demands vigorous, structured exercise routines
  • leashed runs or enclosed sprints best for controlled energy release.
Training
  • Afghan Hound training guidance: independent and loyal but bond deeply with owners, making housetraining easier due to their desire to please
  • basic commands like come, sit, and stay are usually sufficient unless competitive obedience or agility is the goal
  • their strong hunting instinct may override training, especially during high-speed chases
  • loyalty can complicate adjustments to new homes for adult Afghans
  • training should focus on reinforcing trust and consistency rather than strict discipline
  • breed’s aloof nature means they may not respond to harsh or overly repetitive training methods
Nutrition
  • Afghan Hound nutrition requires a high-quality diet, commercial or home-prepared with vet supervision
  • diets must suit the dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior)
  • their lean, athletic build needs adequate nutrition despite natural svelteness
  • avoid unsafe human foods—consult vet for dietary concerns or weight issues
  • always provide clean, fresh water.

Health

Afghan Hounds, like other sighthounds, have low body fat, making them highly sensitive to anesthesia. Owners should consult a veterinarian experienced with sighthound breeds for any surgical procedures. Additionally, as deep-chested dogs, they are prone to bloat—a dangerous abdominal swelling—so owners must learn its symptoms and emergency response to prevent complications.

Recommended Tests:

Hip EvaluationOphthalmologist EvaluationThyroid Evaluation

Trait Comparison

61% similar
💡 Bluetick Coonhound is easier to train
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Affectionate With Family for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Young Children
Good With Young Children for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Good With Young Children for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs for Bluetick Coonhound: 5 out of 5 (Very Dog-Friendly)
Good With Other Dogs for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bluetick Coonhound
Shedding Level
Shedding Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Shedding Level for Afghan Hound: 1 out of 5 (Minimal Shedding)
Bluetick Coonhound
Coat Grooming Frequency
Coat Grooming Frequency for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Coat Grooming Frequency for Afghan Hound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Afghan Hound
Drooling Level
Drooling Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Drooling Level for Afghan Hound: 1 out of 5 (Rarely Drools)
Bluetick Coonhound
Openness To Strangers
Openness To Strangers for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Openness To Strangers for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Playfulness Level
Playfulness Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Playfulness Level for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Watchdog/Protective Nature
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Afghan Hound
Adaptability Level
Adaptability Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Adaptability Level for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Trainability Level
Trainability Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Trainability Level for Afghan Hound: 1 out of 5 (Independent Thinker)
Bluetick Coonhound
Energy Level
Energy Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Energy Level for Afghan Hound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Barking Level
Barking Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Barking Level for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bluetick Coonhound
Mental Stimulation Needs
Mental Stimulation Needs for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Mental Stimulation Needs for Afghan Hound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced

Note: Scores reflect typical breed tendencies. Individual dogs may vary based on training, environment, and genetics.

Note: Some traits may be unavailable for certain breeds due to limited or inconsistent data from recognized sources.

Common Questions

Answers to popular questions about Bluetick Coonhound and Afghan Hound.

Both breeds can be good family pets with proper socialization, though they may not be as naturally patient as some other breeds.
Bluetick Coonhound is generally easier to train than Afghan Hound. Bluetick Coonhounds are often more eager to please, while Afghan Hounds may be more independent or stubborn.
No, Bluetick Coonhound typically sheds more than Afghan Hound.
Bluetick Coonhound is generally a better choice for first-time owners. They tend to be easier to manage in terms of training, energy, and care compared to Afghan Hound.

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Bluetick Coonhound vs Afghan Hound: Size, Temperament & Care Comparison