The Modern Day Blue Tick Coonhound

The modern-day Bluetick Coonhound traces its origins to an importation of Grand Bleu de Gascognes from the Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington in 1785. These French Hounds were crossed with Washington’s hounds, which descended from hounds brought to America in 1650 by Robert Brooke. One Grand Bleu owned by George Washington was recorded as giving birth to 15 puppies, and Washington likened their musical voices to the “bells of Moscow.” The Grand Bleu was too slow on the trail to please the American hunter, but when bred to American hounds, it increased their cold-trailing ability and endurance. At the beginning of the 20th century, all hounds of Bluetick, Redtick, and Walker type were lumped into a group known as English Coonhounds. It is thought this was because they still resembled their heavy-boned English ancestors and were recognized by UKC as one breed, English Fox and Coon Hounds.

The Bluetick breeders of the day, proud of their larger, cold-nosed, and resolute, if slower, hounds, wanted to keep their old style of hunting. Fearing this “faster is better” trend, the Bluetick breeders of the 1940s pulled away from the English Coonhound. These breeders officially broke away in 1945 and established the Bluetick Coonhound breed. There is a common misconception that the coonhound breeds have been separated by color alone. This is farthest from the truth. The currently recognized coonhound breeds have been bred to make the most of the individual hunting style. Now that the Bluetick has been recognized by AKC, there is a trend toward rewarding smaller hounds. It seems that there is some confusion in the choice of wording in the general appearance description in the standard.

General Appearance:

“The Bluetick should have the appearance of a speedy and well-muscled hound. He never appears clumsy or overly chunky in build. He has a neat, compact body, a glossy coat and clear, keen eyes. In motion, he carries his head and tail well up. Please remember that “speedy” is relative, and “racy” has a different meaning altogether. The Bluetick may be considered more “speedy” than a Bloodhound, but rarely more “speedy” than a Treeing Walker or English Coonhound. “Racy” would better describe the whippet-like hound. The bone and substance of the Bluetick must be considered relative to hunting style.

The farther a hound is from the game, the colder the trail, therefore a cold-nosed hound has the ability to find and work an older track. But working an older trail takes time, and a dog that is determined and strong-willed. Cold-nosed hounds typically have heavier heads with a prominent stop, longer ears with no erectile tissue, and deeper flews, which help them hold scent. They also tend to have heavier bone and carry more substance. To put it into perspective, some examples of cold-nosed hounds that we all know are Bloodhounds and Black and Tan Coonhounds. The body shows depth of chest, allowing for plenty of lung space. The body is either square or slightly longer than tall. The strong, well-muscled back with the topline gently sloping down from the withers to the hips gives the hound a strong base to move through the woods methodically, trailing the game and treeing it at the end of the track. The tail, attached slightly below the level of the back with a half-moon curve, is used as a rudder for balance when trailing or swimming.

To allow these hounds to work hard cold trails, the legs must be correctly angled with well-developed muscle at the shoulder and hip to stifle for strong reach and drive. The shoulders should be clean and gently sloping, and the hips are not quite as wide as the ribcage. The foreleg length is approximately one-half the height at the withers. Tight, rounded feet with thick, tough pads under slightly sloping pasterns finish the “running gear.” So the entire package together makes the Bluetick Coonhound we breeders and hunters strive for. Those of us who follow these grand hounds in the woods love the entire hound from the toes to the nose and the huge, beautiful voice in between. Pleasure hunters who prefer Blueticks tend to be in less of a hurry than others, enjoying time listening to the song the Bluetick sings.

Very laid back and happy to be around people, they take their time and consistently get the game they are trailing. Many will start a fire, turn the dogs loose, and just listen until the coon is treed. I have been involved with the Bluetick Coonhound for close to 20 years. They are by far my favorite of the six coonhound breeds. I did spend 2005 traveling on the circuit hunting in the Purina Outstanding Coonhound of the Year race with my Plott, but my heart will always follow the King of the Coonhounds, the Bluetick Coonhound.

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Interview with Kacie Davis Jordan, Breeder of Evenstar-WesRidge Bluetick Coonhounds

“A lot of dedication and presentation of Coonhounds seems to have gotten the breed out there and more noticed.”

How were you introduced to the Bluetick Coonhound?

Kacie Davis Jordan: My mother obtained a Bluetick Coonhound from Evenstar Hounds (Kimberly Martin) shortly after they were recognized by the AKC. Her grandfather’s admiration for the breed was how I was introduced to Blueticks, and I fell deeply in love with them.

In which events do you participate with your hounds?

Kacie Davis Jordan: My main focus is to compete in Conformation, but I also enjoy the Bench Shows and seeing others do well with my Blueticks in Nite Hunts and Agility.

Can you tell us about your most noteworthy Blueticks?

Kacie Davis Jordan: CH Evenstar Devil in a Blue Dress (Baylee), our very first and foundation bitch, has produced two Number One Blueticks in the country for AKC Conformation. GCHG Wesann’s Don’t Take My Man On Vista Ridge (Jolene) was Number One for two years running, with multiple Group placements. Her son, GCHP Evenstar-Wesridge’s One Hail Of A Man (Big John), has been Number One for the past five consecutive years and was the first Bluetick to ever receive a Group Two at Westminster Kennel Club, in 2021. Big John was also the first to receive TWO all-breed Bests in Show.

How does the Bluetick compare with the other coonhound breeds?

Kacie Davis Jordan: Bluetick Coonhounds’ coloring makes them stand out. They can come blue-ticked with tan points or blue-ticked with no tan points. The breed is loyal and strong-willed in any situation presented to them. In my experience with Bluetick Coonhounds, they are an amazing breed with children.

Is the breed a strong competitor in the Hound Group?

Kacie Davis Jordan: Blueticks have not been a strong competitor in the Group ring, but we have come a long way as there are more coonhounds placing in Groups. A lot of dedication and presentation of Coonhounds seems to have gotten the breed out there and more noticed.

Does the Bluetick make for a good companion in the home?

Kacie Davis Jordan: The Bluetick Coonhound seems to be a wonderful companion for most families. This breed is excellent with children and is a fairly easy breed to keep up grooming-wise, which makes them very desirable. They are a very athletic dog, but they also like to sit down on the couch, curled up in a blanket at night watching a movie.

What are the biggest misconceptions about the breed?

Kacie Davis Jordan: I think the biggest misconception for the breed is that people see them as a hunting dog only. They are extremely intelligent and, with a little bit of motivation (food) or praise, they are willing to try anything. This breed has been used for Search and Rescue, Obedience, Rally, Dock Diving, blood tracking, babysitting, therapy dogs, and, of course, hunting a wide diversity of
wild game.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns or exercise needs?

Kacie Davis Jordan: The National Bluetick Coonhound Association’s two biggest concerns are hips and eyes. Bluetick Coonhounds need stimulation daily to get the necessary exercise needed to develop the overall dog. This helps to maintain tight feet, a strong topline, and nice muscling.

Does the Bluetick Coonhound have a bright future?

Kacie Davis Jordan: My heart and soul is with the Blueticks Coonhound and I foresee a bright future for this wonderful breed, overall.

What are your goals for the breed? For your hounds?

Kacie Davis Jordan: My goal for this breed is to see them continue to be recognized in the AKC Hound Group. I also hope there will be more individuals and families involved in the various AKC competitions offered to them. The goals that I have set for Evenstar-WesRidge Bluetick Coonhounds are to try to consistently produce correct conformation and genetically healthy coonhounds.

Are you looking for a Bluetick Coonhound puppy?

The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.

Want to help rescue and re-home a Bluetick Coonhound dog?

Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.

Bluetick Coonhound Dog Breed Magazine

Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.

Read and learn more about the smart Bluetick Coonhound dog breed with articles and information in our Bluetick Coonhound Dog Breed Magazine.

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Coat Color of the Bluetick Coonhound
By Amy McDonald

The Bluetick Coonhound is a beautiful and focused member of the Hound Group. Its essence is found in its athletic body, exuding substance, a well-boned skeletal structure, and of course, the trademark blue ticking.

Expounding on the Bluetick Coonhound color specifically, the ticking patterns can come in several variations—but ticking must be evident. The canvas of the body may be a black background with white flecking or a white background with blue flecking, both of which create the necessary tick pattern. The preference is for a blue-ticked body with variously shaped black spots, with more blue ticking than black or white.

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Tan markings may or may not be present on the feet and lower legs, over the eyes, on the cheeks, chest, and below the tail. Solid blue Blueticks Coonhounds with no tan markings also correctly meet the breed standard for color. Please examine the attached photos, and if you have specific questions, please contact the National Bluetick Coonhound Association through their website.

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Read and learn about the various coonhound performance events, such as Nite Hunts, Bench Shows, Field Trials, and Water Races, as well as the dogs that compete in them. Article by Michelle Zimmerman.

In the glow of moonlight, four handlers reach for the collars of the tri-colored coonhounds on their leads. Standing in a line at the edge of a field, dense, dark woods ahead of them, they await the judge’s call to release—“Cut ‘em!” The handlers point their cap lights toward the woods as they unsnap their leads, releasing the hounds into the darkness. After a moment, the first dog lets out a melodious bawl that echoes off the hills. “Strike Sally,” a handler calls… and the race is on!

Coonhound Nite Hunts

The pillar of coonhound performance events, the Nite Hunt showcases the coonhound’s natural trailing and treeing instinct in a truly wild environment. A group of up to four dogs, called a “cast,” is drawn at random from the total entry of dogs. Casts are assigned a judge and a guide, who may or may not also be handlers of dogs on the cast. The judge’s primary responsibility is to maintain the integrity of the hunt, including scoring dogs in accordance to AKC Nite Hunt Regulations and ensuring sportsmanlike conduct of handlers and spectators.

The judge has authority to “scratch” or disqualify dogs from competition for displaying aggression, babbling (barking when no trail is present), or failing to show hunting activity within required timelines. The judge may also scratch handlers for misconduct while on the cast. The guide’s responsibility is to provide safe territory for the cast to hunt; the guide should be very familiar with the property and be able to alert the cast to any terrain concerns, obstacles, or dangerous areas. The ideal hunting territory is close enough to the hunting club to allow the cast ample opportunity to hunt for the allotted time (Nite Hunts may be 60, 90, or 120 minutes in length) and return by deadline.

When the cast arrives at its hunting territory, the guide directs the cast and judge to the location in which the hounds will be released. At the judge’s call, the dogs are free-cast into the designated area. Unlike Pointer or Retriever Hunt Tests, Nite Hunts do not occur in an environment with planted game. The dogs are not confined to a certain area; they are expected to trail and tree wild raccoons in a natural environment. The distance the dogs travel from where they are cast is dependent upon how far they must go to “strike” or locate a track and how far the track goes before the raccoon is “treed.”

Unlike Pointer or Retriever Hunt Tests, Nite Hunts do not occur in an environment with planted game. The dogs are not confined to a certain area; they are expected to trail and tree wild raccoons in a natural environment.

In mountainous, rugged areas of the United States, such as the Southeast, tracks may be a half-mile or more in length, while in flatter, more open terrain, such as the Midwest, tracks may only be a few hundred yards. Points are scored in a Nite Hunt based on the handlers’ call of their dogs—informing the judge throughout the duration of the hunt what the dog is doing, based on the sound of the dog’s voice. The dogs wear GPS collars so that their handlers are aware of their location; however, handlers may not use the GPS receiver to aid in calling their dogs.

A dog is declared “struck” by its handler upon its vocalization that it has located a track, and points are awarded in a descending manner based upon the order dogs are struck in. The dogs will continue to vocalize as they work the track until they locate their quarry. When the raccoon is located, the dog will give a unique bark, called a “locate,” signifying that it has found its quarry, before its voice rolls over into a “tree” bark, which is distinctive compared to its trailing bark. As dogs are declared treed by their handlers, again, points are awarded based upon the order of tree calls.

The judge or a majority of the handlers on the cast must see a raccoon in the tree for both strike and tree points earned to be considered “plus.” If no raccoon is found in the tree, or “off game,” such as an opossum or bear, is seen in the tree, strike and tree points will be “minus.” If there is evidence that a raccoon could be in the tree, such as a hole large enough for the raccoon to take refuge in or a canopy too thick to see through, the dog will be given the benefit of the doubt and points will be “circled” on the scorecard. Circled points will not count toward the final tally, but can be used to break a tie. If hunt time remains, the dogs and handlers move to a different area and the dogs are released to hunt again.

No live game is ever taken during a Nite Hunt; treed raccoons are left to go about their lives after the dogs are led away from the tree. At the end of the hunt time, the dog with the highest tally of points will be declared the winner of the cast. In AKC-licensed Nite Hunts, dogs are not separated by titles earned; dogs that have achieved Nite Hunt titles (Nite Champion, Grand Nite Champion, or Supreme Grand Nite Champion) may be hunted in the same cast with registered (untitled) dogs. Each first-place cast win counts toward title progression.

Coonhound Hunting Styles

AKC recognizes six breeds of coonhounds:

• Treeing Walker Coonhound
• American English Coonhound
• Black and Tan Coonhound
• Bluetick Coonhound
• Redbone Coonhound
• Plott (Hound)

Apart from the Plott, which developed from German big game hounds, the coonhound breeds descend from Foxhounds imported to the New World well before the American Revolution. The distinctive coonhound breeds were developed as hunters selectively bred dogs that produced specific physical characteristics as well as a particular hunting style. The “hot-nosed” breeds excel at trailing fresh scent tracks, while the “cold-nosed” breeds specialize in working aged tracks with fainter scent.

Treeing Walker Coonhound

Known as “The People’s Choice” due to the breed’s popularity among competitive and pleasure hunters alike, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a quick, hot-nosed, sensible hunter. The Treeing Walker Coonhound is a wide-ranging, endurance hunter, well suited for just about any type of hunting terrain. A typical Treeing Walker’s strike/trailing bark is a melodious bawl—a long, drawn-out bugling voice that is easily heard from a distance—although some lines have a “chop” mouth, which is a shorter, quicker sequence of barks. When treed, the Treeing Walker may chop or bawl; tree voice is often of a markedly different pitch than trailing voice.

American English Coonhound

Best described as a “super-charged hunter,” the American English Coonhound is a hot-trailing hound that is competitive, fast, and perhaps a bit impatient. The American English excels at short-range hunting due to its speed and racy build, but possesses sufficient endurance to go the distance in areas with thin raccoon populations. Voice may differ according to bloodline, but the typical American English Coonhound has a chop bark that varies in pitch when trailing vs. when treed.

Black and Tan Coonhound

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a deliberate trailing, extremely cold-nosed hunter that can track and tree a raccoon even in the worst conditions. The breed’s supreme scenting ability comes from its Bloodhound influence. Confident and courageous, the Black and Tan is known for its musical voice.

Bluetick Coonhound

Bluetick Coonhounds were originally part of the English Coonhound breed. However, there was a division of preference in size and hunting style among breeders; the larger, albeit slower, cold-nosed hounds were selected to become the foundation of the Bluetick breed. The Bluetick is an open trailer with a bawl voice on track that changes over to a steady chop on tree.

Redbone Coonhound

The Redbone Coonhound is a surefooted, aggressive, cold-nosed hunter that excels at hunting difficult terrain. Early Redbone breeders focused on differentiating the breed by its flashy red coat; then turned their focus to consistent hunting ability. The Redbone’s voice is a bawl on both track and tree.

Plott Hound

Plott (Hounds) are cold-nosed, aggressive hunters that excel at hunting raccoons, as well as big game like bear and wild boar. Plotts are nimble dogs, able to traverse all types of terrain with speed and grace. The Plott produces a loud, ringing chop on track and tree, although some lines may have a bawl mouth.

Coonhound Bench Shows, Field Trials & Water Races

In addition to Nite Hunts, coonhounds are eligible to complete and title in AKC-licensed Field Trials, Water Races, and Bench Shows.

Coonhound Field Trials

Coonhound field trials use a scented lure to lay a track, length dependent on the terrain and general conditions of the trial site, and then the lure is hung in a tree located at the end of the track. Field trial classes are separated, Open and Champion, based on the dogs’ title status. In a field trial, groups of dogs are released at the start of the scent track and have 15 minutes to work the track and come treed. The first dog to cross the final set of flags that mark the track is declared the Line winner, and the first dog come treed at the tree containing the scented lure is declared the Tree winner.

Coonhound Water Races

Water Races are similar to a field trial, except that the dogs swim across a body of water after the lure. The water race pond should be approximately 50 yards in length and deep enough to guarantee that the dogs must swim the entire length. A water race event has a Novice (non-titling) class for beginners, as well as an Open class that is open to all coonhounds, regardless of water race title status.

In a water race, dogs are placed in a starting box at the entrance to the pond; a scented lure is suspended on a cable above the water or floated across the pond. The lure is drawn across the pond, and the dogs swim after it. The first dog to exit the water in the direction of the tree will be declared the Line winner, and the first dog to show treed at the tree is declared the Tree winner.

Coonhound Bench Shows

Bench Shows bring the demonstration of form and function together at a coonhound event. In a typical event, after the field and water events, and prior to the Nite Hunt, handlers showcase their dogs’ conformation to the breed standard. Dogs are gaited individually in a pattern, usually a down-and-back followed by a go-around, and then examined by the judge on
individual benches. Evaluation and placement should equally consider movement on the ground and the exam. Dogs earn points toward their Bench Show Championship as they advance through the Class, Breed, and Best of Show levels of judging.

Coonhounds in Conformation

When judging a Coonhound in the Conformation ring, it is important to understand that many of the dogs exhibited today remain close to their working heritage. Some dogs may be hunted during the week and be cleaned-up for the show ring on the weekends. Others may enjoy a full-time show dog’s life of luxury but still exhibit their breed’s natural hunting instinct if given the opportunity.

When judging a Coonhound in the Conformation ring, it is important to understand that many of the dogs exhibited today remain close to their working heritage. Some dogs may be hunted during the week and be cleaned-up for the show ring on the weekends.

The breed standards describe an ideal working dog and should be interpreted as such. Coonhounds must be sound enough to hunt from sundown to sunrise, in terrain varying from rugged mountains to swamps. Some get to hunt most of their nights in the flat Midwest, but must still be able to handle rough terrain, when necessary, especially if they are campaigned in National Level Nite Hunts. It is not uncommon to see top-ranked competition dogs aged seven-plus years old; the emphasis coonhound breeders put on producing a sound, structurally correct dog is exemplified by their longevity in the woods.

Reference:

American Kennel Club. Regulations for AKC Coonhound Bench Shows, Field Trials, Nite Hunts, and Water Races. History and Standards for Coonhound Breeds. www.akccoonhounds.org.

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Interview with Hound Group Breeder Lori Mills – Sidearm Kennel

Where do I live? How many years in dogs? How many years as a breeder?

Lori Mills: I live in Grand Bay, Alabama. I have been in dogs all my life; over 56 years. I’m a third-generation dog person.

What is my kennel name? How many dogs do I currently keep?

Lori Mills: My kennel name is Sidearm Kennel. We keep between 40 and 80 dogs, including puppies.

Which show dogs from the past have been my noteworthy winners?

Lori Mills: Notable winners include GCHG CH CWSG CCH Sidearm The Jungle King Mufasa, aka “Mufasa” (2x Westminster Breed Winner), GCH Sidearm Bare Necessities, aka “Baloo,” GCH Sidearm Kajun Ketchup, aka “Tabasco,” GCHB CH Sidearm Return of The King, aka “Rerun” (2x Westminster Breed Winner), GCHG CH CCH Sidearm Despicable Me, aka “Minion” (3x Westminster Breed Winner), and GCH Sidearm Red Sonador.

Which have been my most influential sires and dams?

Lori Mills: Influential sires and dams include Baloo, Xena, Sonador, Tabasco, and Mufasa.

Can I talk a bit about my facilities? Where are my puppies whelped? How are they raised?

Lori Mills: I have a variety of kennels, welded panels, fencing, and Preifert. Puppies are in whelping rooms outside at the kennel. Pups are handled from their first breath, raised by the dam until weaned. Food is first introduced at three weeks of age.

What is my “process” for selecting show puppies? At what age do I make my decisions?

Lori Mills: I start looking at pups on Day One. We start making selections and evaluations at 2 weeks. Selections are made anywhere from 8 weeks to 6 months. We pick pups from a natural stance and for their personality.

How do I prepare my pups for the show ring? Does my breed require any special preparation?

Lori Mills: We train in stages and socialize as much (and as safely) as possible. We start pups on drags for hunting at 6-8 weeks. We hunt our dogs; coonhunting is allowed year-round. In the warmer months, we have a motorized Walker and swimming alternatives to keep the Hounds in condition. It’s an honest breed, so bathing and trimming nails is all they need.

Can I share my thoughts on how my breed is currently presented in the show ring?

Lori Mills: I see a lot of newcomers to the breed showing them like a Doberman Pinscher and running with them like a German Shepherd Dog or a Sporting breed. That’s not how Coonhounds hunt; they trot at a good pace so that they can gather scent. They’re a hunting dog, not a racehorse.

Are there any health-related concerns within my breed? Any special nutritional needs?

Lori Mills: Our breed, like other Coonhounds, needs to be checked for Coonhound blindness. PRA, hips, and shoulders are all a “base.” We perform a panel of tests, but overall they are a very healthy breed with just regular, preventive maintenance needed. A good quality dog food (NOT grain-free) is essential, as is Vitamin C.

In my opinion, is my breed in good condition overall? Any trends that warrant concern?

Lori Mills: I’m seeing a loss of bone, lighter eyes, and a higher earset. We need to stick to a “houndy” type with substance.

Is my breed well-suited to be a family dog? Who are the best candidates to own my breed?

Lori Mills: They are great family dogs and are very diverse. We have them in apartments, on charter boats, farms, neighborhoods, and in semi trucks. They love the water and other animals, and they have good longevity into their teens, barring accidents and cancer or some unforeseen disease.

Do I feel that my breed is supported by a sufficient number of preservation breeders?

Lori Mills: No, I don’t. Several breeders are trying to reinvent the wheel and are disregarding the Breed Standard; losing type. I’ve seen several with more on the Sighthound silhouette rather than Scenthound. High ears, light eyes, and light-boned Hounds are concerns. You need to start over if you don’t have type.

For a bit of fun, what’s the most amusing thing I’ve ever experienced with a Hound?

Lori Mills: LIFE! You will never have a cable bill again if you own a Hound. It’s always entertaining!

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It is hardly surprising that the Boston Terrier was one of the first home-grown hybrids recognized by the American Kennel Club. Known originally as the Olde Boston Bulldogge, the breed was admitted to membership in 1893. Early representatives were typical of the Bulldog-Terrier crosses, with some individuals weighing upwards of 44 pounds. By the beginning of the 20th century, French Bulldog influence had considerably modified the breed, and color and markings became essential characteristics of the “American Gentleman.”

In the 1930s, American breeders in search of a more diminutive ratter crossed the original breed with the Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, and the Chihuahua.

Although recognized in 1936 as the Staffordshire Terrier, the American Staffordshire Terrier was bestowed its current name in 1969 through a revision to the breed standard. Originally nicknamed the “pitdog” and the “half-and-half,” mid-century breeders in the US selected a heavier dog. Their efforts produced the “Am Staff,” a Yankee original that is distinguished from both its smaller British cousin and the more slightly built American Pit Bull Terrier by its larger size and “proverbial” courage.

Selective breeding of Smooth Fox Terriers for size helped to create the Toy Fox Terrier. In the 1930s, American breeders in search of a more diminutive ratter crossed the original breed with the Manchester Terrier, Italian Greyhound, Miniature Pinscher, and the Chihuahua. Acceptable colors for the breed are tri-color in white, black & tan or white, chocolate & tan, white and black or white and chocolate. Recognized by the UKC in 1936, this animated and intelligent breed was only granted full AKC recognition in 2003.

The Rat Terrier was developed in the US by British immigrants who crossed Fox Terriers with Manchester Terriers, Bull Terriers, and the Old English White Terrier. Looking to improve both nose and speed, American enthusiasts also introduced Beagles, Toy Fox Terriers, Whippets, and Italian Greyhounds into the mix. The result is a game and playful character that was officially recognized by the AKC in 2013.

Recognized in 2016, the American Hairless Terrier is essentially a Rat Terrier without a coat. When one hairless pup appeared in a Louisiana litter in 1972, an entire breed was “born.” The AHT is the only hairless breed to originate in the US and the only one with normally complete dentition. This playful and agile breed may be shown in any color or combination of colors. Merle and albinism are disqualifications.

The Australian Shepherd has a vague history and a convoluted name. Once known as the California Shepherd and the Pastor Dog, the breed is thought to descend from sheep and cattle dogs of the Western Pyrenees that arrived in the US via Australia with Basque shepherds. The breed became ubiquitous in the West where it was employed by both ranchers and sheep herders. Although a longtime fixture on the American landscape, the breed only became fully recognized by the AKC in 1991.

A favorite among horse show competitors, the Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California from small, unregistered dogs thought to be Australian Shepherds. Granted full AKC recognition in 2015, the breed’s modest size makes it serviceable as a household companion that’s still expected to handle sheep and goats when called on to do so. Like its larger predecessor, the breed has been known by many names, including Miniature Australian Shepherd and North American Shepherd.

Fully recognized by the AKC in 1994, the American Eskimo Dog is by no means a recent arrival to these shores. Nineteenth-century European immigrants brought their German and Italian Spitz, Keeshonden, and Pomeranians to America where each was influential in the formation of the breed that became a talented circus performer. The Eskie’s white coat color—with or without biscuit cream—quickly became favored and was later secured through the introduction of the Japanese Spitz. Owing to its varied progenitors, the breed is shown in Toy, Miniature, and Standard size divisions.

The first Cocker Spaniel is said to have arrived in the New World aboard the Mayflower. True or not, one of the earliest breed clubs in America was formed to promote the Cocker, and AKC recognition was granted in 1878. The breed became so popular in the US that it ultimately took on a make and shape of its own. Beginning in 1946, the breed was divided in two and registrations for English Cocker Spaniels appeared in the AKC Stud Book the following year. Only in the US does the American-type carry the breed’s “original” name.

Developed in the Upper Midwest, the American Water Spaniel is the state dog of Wisconsin where it was developed as an all-around hunter that could retrieve from boats. By combining Irish and English Water Spaniels, Curly Coated Retrievers, and various land Spaniels with native dogs, the breed became a versatile hunter and a perennial favorite among local hunters. Known originally as the American Brown, the breed was granted AKC recognition in 1940.

Although the Boykin Spaniel shares a somewhat similar history with the Midwest Spaniel, its development took place in the American South. Legend has it that around 1900, a stray Spaniel-type dog was befriended by a banker in Spartanburg, South Carolina, while the man was walking home from church. Mr. Alexander L. White sent “Dumpy” to live with sportsman Lemuel Whitaker Boykin for whom the breed is named. Recognized in 2009, today’s Boykin is thought to be the result of combinations of Springer and Cocker Spaniels with two American breeds, the AWS and the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

The history of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be traced to two pups rescued from a British ship foundering off the coast of Maryland. Described as Newfoundland dogs—but likely St. John’s Water Dogs—”Sailor” and “Canton” were bred independently with local Spaniels and Hounds living on both shores of the Bay. Known today for its brown, sedge, or deadgrass coat color as well as for its confident and tenacious nature, the “Chessie” was originally recognized in 1878 as the Chesapeake Bay Dog.

Descended largely from Brooke’s Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound and the Bloodhound, the breed was developed to trail possum and raccoon, and to give voice when the quarry has been treed. The Black and Tan is tireless while in pursuit and can travel many miles through the night without tiring.

The American Foxhound is an amalgam of hounds brought to the US from England and France. In 1650, Robert Brooke arrived in Virginia with his pack of hounds and these were combined with Grand Bleu de Gascogne Hounds given to General George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette. Later, Irish-bred Foxhounds were introduced to improve speed. Officially recognized by the AKC in 1886, the breed was developed into several fox hunting strains that include the Walker, Calhoun, and the Penn-Marydel, among others.

In 1945, the Black and Tan Coonhound received full AKC recognition to become the first of five Coonhound breeds to do so. Descended largely from Brooke’s Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound and the Bloodhound, the breed was developed to trail possum and raccoon, and to give voice when the quarry has been treed. The Black and Tan is tireless while in pursuit and can travel many miles through the night without tiring.

John W. Walker and George Washington Maupin are given credit for the development of the Treeing Walker Coonhound. Bred in Kentucky, the hounds that both men produced have generally been referred to simply as Walker Hounds. Accepted into AKC’s Hound Group in 2012, this “hot-nosed” breed was first recognized by the UKC in 1945 as a variety of the English Coonhound.

The American English Coonhound is capable of hunting fox during the day and raccoon at night. Sometimes referred to as the Redtick Coonhound, the breed was recognized by the UKC in 1905 as the English Fox and Coonhound. Possessing extraordinary agility with the ability to climb trees, this racy breed was granted full AKC recognition in 2011.

The Bluetick Coonhound originated in Louisiana where breeders combined local “curs” with the Bleu de Gascogne, English and American Foxhounds, and Brooke’s original Virginia Hound. Sleek and racy, the Bluetick is speedy and ambitious with a “bawl” or “bugle” voice. A subgroup of this breed is known as the American Blue Gascon Hound, which is heavier in appearance and slower on the trail. The Bluetick was fully recognized by the AKC in 2009.

The foundation of the Redbone Coonhound was laid by Scottish immigrants who brought red-colored Foxhounds to America in the 18th century. Named for Tennessean Peter Redbone, the breed was developed for speed through the introduction of Irish-bred Foxhounds. Crosses were also made with the Bloodhound to improve “nose.” Originally sporting a black saddle, this solid-colored hound entered AKC’s Hound Group in 2009.

In 1750, Johannes Plott emigrated from Germany with five Hanoverian Hounds that would become the foundation of the breed known simply as the Plott. The breed has been bred for more than 250 years for its stamina in pursuit of wild boar and bear. A single breeding with a “leopard spotted dog” appears to be the only documented cross. In 2006, the state dog of North Carolina received full AKC recognition.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is Louisiana’s state dog. In the Choctaw language, Catahoula translates to “sacred lake,” a reference to the breed’s genesis around the region’s many waterways. Several theories exist as to the breed’s origin, including the mixing of local dogs with Mastiffs and Greyhounds brought to the area in the 16th century by Hernando de Soto. French settlers likely added the Beauceron, lending that Herding breed’s coloration to the Catahoula’s coat. In 1996, the breed was first recorded in AKC’s Foundation Stock Service.

The Alaskan Malamute is very likely the oldest and only landrace breed hailing from the United States.

Mr. Arthur Treadwell Walden devoted his life to the creation of New Hampshire’s state breed, the Chinook. This canine is named for Walden’s lead sled dog that was a combination of Husky stock and Mastiff blood. Crossed with the German Shepherd Dog, Belgian Sheepdog, and the Canadian Eskimo Dog, Chinook, the dog, was bred back to his progeny to fix type. Although the breed’s foundation sire died while serving in Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic expedition, his legacy continued when the breed that bears his name was granted AKC recognition in the Working Group in 2010.

The Alaskan Malamute is very likely the oldest and only landrace breed hailing from the United States. Named for the community of Innuit people living along the shores of the Kotzebue Sound, the breed is thought to descend from wolf-dogs brought to the area from present-day Russia more than 4,000 years ago. Recent examination of the Malamute’s genetic markers demonstrates an East Asian origin and a relationship with the Siberian Husky. The breed has been recognized by the AKC since 1935, twenty-four years before its namesake territory was admitted
for statehood.

Making its entry into AKC’s Foundation Stock Service in 2017, the Carolina Dog was “discovered” in the 1920s, living wild in isolated stretches of cypress swamp, by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin. Studies of the breed’s autosomal, mitochondrial, and Y-chromosome diversity reveal a partial pre-Columbian ancestry. Although not entirely an indigenous breed, the Carolina Dog does appear to share a relationship with the Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Chihuahua. And as with each of the recognized American breeds, the AKC’s most recent arrival is a combination of qualities from dog breeds brought to this country from around the world. In this way, they are just like us. And that is something for which we can all
be thankful.

A version of this article was originally published in the November 2017 issue of SHOWSIGHT.

Bostons, Boykins, and Blueticks | Let’s Give Thanks for the American Breeds – ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY DAN SAYERS.

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With the gain in popularity comes heightened interest in the breed and opportunity for newcomers to enter and present them to judges nationwide. Clarification for judges on the General Appearance of the Bluetick Coonhound is necessary, as many judges encounter the breed for the first time in their ring.

When casting your eyes upon the Bluetick Coonhound for the first time, the overall impression would be of an athletic hound with bone and substance that has the ability to hunt long distances over a variety of terrain. The Bluetick is neither sloppy nor loose in the body. He is built to run and he is well-boned proportionally to the overall size of the hound.

In profile, the Bluetick is square or slightly longer than tall. At a glance, the head, bone, and body style all depict that of a hound.

The Bluetick is neither sloppy nor loose in the body. He is built to run and he is well-boned proportionally to the overall size of the hound.

Upon closer inspection, the Bluetick has a broad head with parallel planes, a prominent stop, and ears set on near eye level. The ears reach to nearly the end of the nose, and the muzzle is deep and square. The chest is medium in width when viewed from the front, giving strength to handle rough terrain. When viewed from the side, the chest extends down toward the elbow. The topline is strong and level when viewed in motion and is never high in the withers or rear. The rear has ample width of thigh for strength in pursuit of wild game and is balanced with the angle in the shoulder. A prominent feature of this breed beyond the athleticism, bone, and substance is the well-sprung rib cage. As noted in the standard, the spring of the ribs should be wider than the width of the hips when viewed from the rear. Finally, in motion, the tail can be carried out parallel to the ground or in a half moon position. It is never held tightly over or extending down toward the back, or tucked between the legs. Balance is key, with all parts coming together to form the whole.

General Appearance of the Bluetick Coonhound by For more information regarding the Bluetick Coonhound, please visit the parent club’s website at https://nationalblueticks.com

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As you know, the back is divided into four sections; the withers, back, loin, and croup. Behind the withers is the back, then the loin, then the croup, and the vertebrae go back all the way to the end of the tail. In certain coonhounds today, more in some breeds than in others, we’re seeing a short rib cage and a long loin on a regular average-backed dog. The dog might be the right length in the back, but if the rib cage doesn’t go back far enough into the loin, it’s not going to have enough cavity that it needs for the heart, the lungs, and all the organs. A short back, combined with a long loin, makes a coonhound weak and unable to run long distances. In coonhounds especially, strength over the loin and lung space are needed.

Many of the top-winning Treeing Walker Coonhounds are sadly lacking in shoulder angulation and would never make it in the field. What’s really important about the shoulder blades is not just the layback; not just the way the blades are angled. The shoulder blades are angled at 45 degrees, as is the upper arm, forming a perfect 90-degree “L.” A good shoulder is oblique, the way a bone curves back into the curvature of the body. The shoulder bone cannot stick straight up, out of the dog’s back, and be efficient. They’ve got to come back together a little bit, lay back, and curve back into the body.

Another important point regarding the shoulder assembly is the point of the elbow. The point of elbow is directly under the withers, right under the top of the shoulder blade, in a perfectly straight line. You could run a plumb line and drop it right where the shoulder blades meet and it will come straight down through the elbow to the floor, right behind the foot. I’ll guarantee that you won’t see many dogs made like this. What you’ll see is a shorter upper arm, or an upper arm pitched at an angle that forces the elbow in front of the shoulder. That combination leads to bad action on the front.

So, look at the front assembly very carefully. Visualize a big circle, with a straight line dropping through it, cutting it in half, meeting the elbow, meeting the ground. It will be the focal point on a well-made dog. There’s a good reason for this. The heart, lungs, and all of the organs that make them run are right there. They better have that depth, that balance. Look at how this dog’s chest (far left) comes down and meets his elbow. There must be enough depth of brisket for lung capacity. There are many dogs whose elbows are too far below their brisket line.

The same is true about the hindquarters. The dog in this photo (below right) shows the relationship between the length of the two bones and the angle formed by them. We can’t see through to the bone, but look at the width of the thigh. I’ve never seen a coonhound that had too much width of second thigh.

In coonhound structure, we’re also losing some angle from the stifle joint to the point of the hock. We’re getting too many dogs that look unbalanced, especially if they’re straight in the shoulder and straight in the hindquarter assembly. Look for second thigh, width of thigh. You have to observe this with your eyes and your hands to make sure they are correct. And remember that the tail is an extension of the spine. A tail that goes straight up may affect the pitch of the pelvis. Up front, you can really see and feel the shoulder blades. Again, balance is the key. If you see this in action, you’ll know what I’m talking about. You’ll say, “Now I get it. That is side gait.” That’s something we don’t look for enough when we judge. A dog can look pretty standing there with a handler posing them, but when you gait them on the ground there is nothing that can be done to make them look good. You can’t do it with the lead. What you see is what you get. And don’t let markings fool you—easy to do with a Treeing Walker’s markings especially. As a result, his shoulders might look different, but when you get your hands on him you will see where his shoulder blades are. Don’t be afraid to get your hands on those blades, to feel them. If you run your hands down the blades, and down the upper arms to the elbows, you can visualize what the angles are.

The feet and pasterns are very closely tied together and they should be in balance with each other. You’ll hardly ever see great pasterns with bad feet, or the other way around. It’s usually a package. We get to the point in coonhound shows that we’re looking for such tight feet that we might be getting a little carried away sometimes. A great cat foot with a straight pastern is pretty to look at, but it doesn’t offer any shock absorbers to the force coming down through the shoulders. You’ve got to have a little spring, a little flexibility, to the slightly sloping pastern.

Dog 1. Correct Hind Angulation: Note the 30-degree slope of the pelvis. This provides the most power. Just as important is the perfect 130-degree angle of the back joint, providing the leverage to push the dog forward.

Dog 2. Incorrect Hind Angulation. The pelvic slope of 10 degrees promotes the overly-straight stifle joint shown here. The back joint is also overly-straight at 148 degrees.

Coonhounds are a scenthound and the tail carriage will be up. You want to see a dog that can extend its front, that can push behind, show balance, propulsion and locomotion movement with ease, and cover ground.

Withers-back-loin-croup is all you need to remember. Four basic parts that better work together. If the withers are too steep, the shoulders aren’t laidback enough; there’s going to be a basic, functional problem. If the back’s too long or too short, there’s going to be a basic, functional problem. If the ribs don’t go back into the loin far enough, or deep enough, there’s going to be a basic, functional problem. Other problems to be aware of include a weak loin and a roach back. The croup’s got to have some pitch and some length. If a croup is too short and steep, it will affect the tail set.

I hope that this will help in the judging of our coonhounds and determining the right Coonhound Structure. They are a movement dog with good reach and drive. Coonhounds give meaning to Form=Function.

What is the correct Coonhound Structure? by Nancy Winton, Dry River Kennels

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