Grooming the Bluetick Coonhound

By Cindra Grooming Products — USA-Made Professional Grooming Essentials

The Bluetick Coonhound is a speedy, well-muscled American scent hound bred to trail raccoon and other game, known for its distinctive mottled blue-ticked coat and deep bawling voice. Like its Treeing Walker and Black and Tan coonhound cousins, the Bluetick carries a smooth, low-maintenance coat.

Coat

The Bluetick Coonhound has a short, smooth, glossy coat with the breed’s signature mottled, ticked blue pattern over a white base, with black markings on the back, ears, and sides. The coat requires very little maintenance — grooming is straightforward thanks to the short hair, though the long pendulous ears need regular attention to prevent infection.

Character

The Bluetick Coonhound is active, ambitious, and a free tonguer on the trail — vocal, determined, and bred for the hunt. They are friendly, loyal, and affectionate with their families, getting along well with children and other dogs. They have high energy and strong scenting instincts, needing significant daily exercise and a securely fenced area, as recall can be unreliable once on a scent. They are known for their distinctive baying voice, which owners should expect and accept.

Recommended Cindra Products

  • Moisturizing Shampoo — gentle formula for the short coat; supports skin health
  • Super Coat — diluted 90/10; finishing mist that enhances the natural ticked coat sheen

Problems & Solutions

Problem Cause Solution
Ear infections Long pendulous ears trap moisture and limit airflow; field activity adds debris Check and clean ears weekly with a vet-approved cleaner; dry thoroughly after outdoor work
Dirt and field debris in coat Active hunting and field breed picks up significant debris outdoors Brush after outdoor sessions; bathe as needed when visibly dirty
Nail overgrowth from less wear Less pavement walking for working/field dogs Trim nails on a consistent schedule regardless of activity level

Hands-On Grooming Guide

Brushing

Brush weekly with a rubber curry brush or hound glove to remove loose hair and maintain coat shine. After field or outdoor activity, a quick brush-out removes accumulated debris.

Ear Care

Check the long ears weekly for odor, redness, or debris. Clean with a vet-approved cleaner as needed. This is the single most important grooming task for the breed given the ear structure and active outdoor lifestyle typical of coonhounds.

Bathing

Bathe every 4–6 weeks or as needed when dirty. Use Moisturizing Shampoo, rinse completely, and dry thoroughly — paying particular attention to drying inside the ears.

Shedding

The Bluetick Coonhound sheds at a moderate level year-round. Weekly brushing manages shedding effectively.

Puppy vs. Adult

Feature Puppy Adult
Coat pattern Ticking pattern present but may darken slightly with maturity Full mottled blue-ticked pattern with black markings
Grooming priority Build ear-handling tolerance early Weekly ear checks; weekly brushing

Quick Grooming Schedule

Task Frequency
Brushing Weekly
Ear check and clean Weekly
Bath Every 4–6 weeks
Nail trim Every 3–4 weeks

Resources