Black and Tan Coonhounds Vs. Bluetick Coonhounds

Both Bluetick coonhounds and Black and Tan coonhounds make excellent family pets or companion dogs, and both are excellent hunters. They share many characteristics, but are very different breeds. Both are genial and friendly, although the Black and Tan may be more reticent to meet newcomers. The breeds are attentive and intelligent, but the Bluetick may have the edge in the brains department. Both dogs are eager, dedicated and passionate workers.

  1. Bluetick Coonhound

    • The Bluetick coonhound is dark blue with a mottled or flecked pattern in black, silvery white or bluish-gray. Their legs are tan pointed. The tan points also can be seen on the muzzle and eyebrows. The head and ears are predominantly black. The breed has a domed skull on a broad head. The muzzle is long and square with a pronounced stop. A Bluetick has dark brown, round eyes that are wide set. His low-set ears are thin. His tail tapers to a point and his legs are long with the hind legs muscular. The smooth dark coat is short and dense.

    American Black and Tan Coonhound

    • One of the larger of the coonhounds, the Black and Tans are marked like a Doberman in black and tan, though mostly black. The tan markings are on the muzzle, legs and chest. They are smaller than bloodhounds, but their long ears and predominant lips make them look similar. The Black and Tan's hanging ears are set low.The muzzle is long and the long head is oval, the stop halfway between the nose and the back of the head. His eyes are round and dark brow to as light as hazel. The legs are long and straight. The wide nose is black.

    Bluetick Origins

    • The Bluetick coonhound was bred from a number of breeds, including foxhounds, English coonhound and French hounds. American hunters found the ancestors too slow for long trails and began working for a faster breed. They mixed the European breeds with American hounds and made better hunters for their needs.

    Black and Tan Origins

    • Talbot hounds, Virginia fox hounds and bloodhounds are believed to be the ancestors of Black and Tan coonhounds. The Talbot is a very old English breed. The Black and Tan is one of the oldest breeds developed in the U.S. and were used by trappers as well as other hunters.

    Skills

    • The Black and Tan coonhound will stay on track under all conditions. He still is used mainly to track and tree raccoons. Blueticks have endurance and are known for skill at cold hunting. Blueticks have a hunting dog's bawl. Both dogs are strong and agile, and good scenters.