Bluetick Coonhound

Hound Group

Height: 22-27 / 21-25 in

Weight: 55-80 / 45-65 lbs

Life Span: 11-12 years

FriendlyIntelligentActive

American Foxhound

Hound Group

Height: 22-25 / 21-24 in

Weight: 65-70 / 60-65 lbs

Life Span: 11-13 years

KindSweet-TemperedLoyalIndependent
Bluetick Coonhound
American Foxhound
Best

Physical Traits

90% similar
Breed Group
Hound
Hound
Size Category
Large
Large
Height (in)
22-2721-25
22-2521-24
Weight (lbs)
55-8045-65
65-7060-65
Life Span
11-12
11-13

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.

American Foxhound

KindSweet-TemperedLoyalIndependentIntelligentLoving

"The American Foxhound is an independent yet sweet-tempered and easy-going breed, known for its amiable nature. Highly social and affectionate with family, it thrives in environments where it can engage in physical and mental activities, though its stubborn streak requires patience during training. Its playful and energetic demeanor makes it a lively companion, though it may bark frequently and can be reserved around strangers."

⚠️

Owners may face challenges with stubbornness during training and the need for high daily exercise to prevent boredom or destructive behavior; its strong scent-driven instincts also require secure fencing or leash use.

💡

This breed is best suited for an active, patient owner or family who can provide ample outdoor exercise, enjoy outdoor adventures, and appreciate a dog with a strong hunting instinct and independent personality.

Purpose & Suitability

Purpose
Hunting (scenthound for raccoon, bear, wild boar, lynx, and cougar)
Hunting (specifically foxhunting)
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 outdoor space, experienced dog owners who enjoy hiking or rural living
Training Difficulty
Moderate
Moderate
Care Difficulty
Moderate
Low

Coat & Appearance

🧵 Coat Type
Smooth
Smooth
📏 Coat Length
Short
Short
🎨 Colors
Blue TickedBlue Ticked and Tan
Black White & TanWhite Black & TanWhiteWhite & RedWhite & CreamBlack Brown & WhiteBlueTanBrown White & TanRed
✨ Markings
Black Spots

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

American Foxhound

Care

Grooming
  • American Foxhound grooming requires minimal effort due to its short, hard coat that lies close to the body and protects from underbrush
  • A weekly brushing with a bristle brush, rubber grooming mitt, or hound glove is typically sufficient
  • Bathing is only necessary if the dog gets into something particularly messy outdoors
  • Regular nail trimming is essential, as with all breeds
  • The coat’s natural texture makes maintenance extremely easy
  • Outdoor activity may occasionally require extra cleaning after messy encounters
Exercise
  • American Foxhound exercise needs: bred for endurance, requiring **1-2 hours daily** to prevent boredom/destructiveness
  • thrives on long walks, hikes, or indoor companionship with family
  • must be leashed or in securely fenced areas due to hunting/chasing instincts and scent-following drive
  • engages mind/body through canine sports like tracking, rally, or coursing ability tests
  • adaptable to various living spaces if exercise needs are met
  • destructive tendencies may arise without sufficient physical/mental stimulation.
Training
  • American Foxhound training requires patience due to their stubborn and independent nature
  • Obedience classes are recommended to help manage their strong instincts
  • Their scent-driven nature makes off-leash freedom unsafe
  • Early socialization in the home fosters mild-tempered, devoted companionship
  • Consistency and persistence are key to preventing unwanted behaviors
  • Regular exercise is essential to curb potential behavioral issues.
Nutrition
  • American Foxhound nutrition: feed high-quality dog food (commercial or vet-approved home-prepared) suited to age (puppy, adult, senior)
  • prevent obesity with two measured adult feedings daily instead of free-feeding
  • use treats for training but limit to avoid weight gain
  • consult vet for safe human foods and dietary concerns
  • ensure constant access to clean, fresh water
  • monitor weight and diet with veterinary guidance if needed

Health

American Foxhounds are generally robust, but breeders should prioritize health testing for conditions like hip dysplasia and thrombocytopathy, a hereditary blood disorder. Their long ears require regular cleaning to prevent infections and wax buildup, while consistent brushing helps maintain dental health.

Recommended Tests:

No recommended health tests

Trait Comparison

75% similar
💡 Compare their traits above to see differences
Affectionate With Family
Affectionate With Family for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Affectionate With Family for American Foxhound: 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 American Foxhound: 5 out of 5 (Excellent with Kids)
American Foxhound
Good With Other Dogs
Good With Other Dogs for Bluetick Coonhound: 5 out of 5 (Very Dog-Friendly)
Good With Other Dogs for American Foxhound: 5 out of 5 (Very Dog-Friendly)
🐾 Balanced
Shedding Level
Shedding Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Shedding Level for American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Coat Grooming Frequency
Coat Grooming Frequency for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Coat Grooming Frequency for American Foxhound: 1 out of 5 (Low Maintenance)
Bluetick Coonhound
Drooling Level
Drooling Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Drooling Level for American Foxhound: 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 American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Playfulness Level
Playfulness Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Playfulness Level for American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Watchdog/Protective Nature
Watchdog/Protective Nature for Bluetick Coonhound: 2 out of 5 (Moderate)
Watchdog/Protective Nature for American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
American Foxhound
Adaptability Level
Adaptability Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Adaptability Level for American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Trainability Level
Trainability Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Trainability Level for American Foxhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Bluetick Coonhound
Energy Level
Energy Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Energy Level for American Foxhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
🐾 Balanced
Barking Level
Barking Level for Bluetick Coonhound: 4 out of 5 (Moderate)
Barking Level for American Foxhound: 5 out of 5 (Very Vocal)
American Foxhound
Mental Stimulation Needs
Mental Stimulation Needs for Bluetick Coonhound: 3 out of 5 (Moderate)
Mental Stimulation Needs for American Foxhound: 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 American Foxhound.

American Foxhound is generally considered a better option for families with young children than Bluetick Coonhound, as they tend to be more patient and tolerant.
Both breeds are highly intelligent and eager to please, making them relatively easy to train.
Yes, both breeds have a similar shedding level (3/5).
Both breeds can be suitable for first-time owners, depending on your lifestyle and dedication to training and care.

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Bluetick Coonhound vs American Foxhound: Size, Temperament & Care Comparison