It is most likely that the Bluetick is principally descended from the quick foxhounds of England with some introduction of the blood of various French hounds which were used for hunting big game. The French dogs were known as being very cold nosed. George Washington received five such French hounds from General Lafayette.

Selective breeding in Louisiana of Foxhounds, Curs, French Hounds and English Coonhounds produced the Bluetick Coonhound. Breeders of these blueticked dogs wanted to keep their old style of hunting. They feared a trend to make the majority of hounds registered as English faster and more hot-nosed. To maintain the old-fashioned type, they officially broke away in 1945 and established the breed known as the Bluetick Coonhound.

For a time, blueticked pups from a litter could be registered as Blueticks, and the redticked whelps became English Coonhounds. But soon the stud books were closed, and this practice was no more.

The preferred color of the Bluetick Coonhound is a dark blue, thickly mottled body, spotted by various shaped black spots on back, ears and sides. Preference running to more blue than black on body. Head with black predominant, also ears. Tan dots over eyes and on cheeks with a dark red ticking on feet and lower legs below body line, on chest and below tail. Red may be eliminated as to the desire of the breeder, as well as the tan head coloring and amount of black on body. A majority of blue mottled body preferred to lighter ticking over the body. The amount of blue ticking should control over the amount of white in the body coat. Off colors not allowed.

Males should be 55 to 80 pounds,females should be 45 to 65 pounds. They should be 20-27 inches tall.

Blueticks were originally registered with U.K.C. as English. In 1946, at the request of the Bluetick fanciers, U.K.C. began registering Blueticks as a separate breed.

The Bluetick Coonhound is a very smart dog that is very devoted to their family. Many can be dog aggressive and very reserved with strangers. Extensive socilization when young is very important.

They are very alert to their surroundings, and make excellent home guardians. They have very strong hunting instincts and will roam off on a scent if left offlead. It is very important that you never allow your Bluetick Coonhound to be offlead in an unfenced area or he will roam away.

As of July 1, 2008, Bluetick Coonhounds were eligible to compete in the Miscellaneous Class with the AKC.