Scent hound Large size 20-36 kg

Blue Coonhound

A tireless American tracking hound with a loud bawl - affectionate at home but built to hunt, so it needs serious exercise and a secure yard.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
20-36 kg, 53-69 cm tall
Very high
Activity
High stamina; needs vigorous daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Tolerant but vocal when under-exercised
Moderate
Trainability
Independent nose; consistent training needed
Very low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal upkeep
Good
Fit with kids
Friendly and easygoing with children
Moderate
Other pets
Prey drive; supervise with small animals
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy; ear care needed

The Blue Coonhound typically weighs 20-36 kg, stands 53-69 cm, and lives 11-12 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt, hike hard or run long distances several times a week,
you live where a booming bawl at 2 a.m. bothers nobody,
you want an affectionate, easygoing dog once the exercise box is checked,
you like a wash-and-wear short coat on a rugged frame.

Do not consider this breed if…

close neighbors - the bluetick bawl is famously loud and frequent,
you cannot provide a tall, secure fence; a hot trail beats any yard line,
cats or backyard chickens are part of the household,
you want quick, eager obedience - this nose negotiates.

A typical day with a Blue Coonhound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or brisk hour of trail walking
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Sprawls somewhere soft and snores
  3. 13:00 · Noon
    Yard time; bays at squirrels on principle
  4. 16:30 · Afternoon
    Tracking game or long-line sniff hike
  5. 19:00 · Evening
    Leans on the family, begs shamelessly
  6. 22:00 · Night
    Deep sleep - if the day was big enough

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Stamina Very high
Vocality Very high
Sociability High
Independence High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating the baying - it is constant, loud and non-negotiable · Trusting an ordinary fence against a treed-squirrel obsession · Feeding one big meal fast in a deep-chested, bloat-prone breed

Family and environment

Kids Good
Patient and playful; sheer size can bowl over toddlers.
Dogs Good
Pack-raised for generations; usually easy with dogs.
Cats Conditional
Sometimes works when raised together; instinct says chase.
Apartment Unsuitable
The voice alone rules out shared walls.
House with a yard Conditional
Needs a tall, secure fence and daily outings beyond it.
City Poor fit
Noise complaints arrive before the first month ends.
Countryside Ideal
Room to run, work to do, nobody to wake.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Long ears trap moisture; check regularly
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested breeds are at risk
Dental Disease Routine dental care needed

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Closest coonhound cousin, same voice and drive
Black And Tan Coonhound
An easygoing, nose-driven American hound that is great with family but bays loudly and follows scents anywhere - fenced space and patience required.
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Slightly softer-tempered American coonhound
Redbone Coonhound
An easygoing, affectionate American hunting hound that needs space and daily exercise - its baying voice and nose make off-leash and close-neighbor life tricky.
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Tougher, more intense American big-game hound
Plott Hound
A gritty, driven American scent hound bred for big game; loyal but high-energy and best for active homes.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Blue Coonhound cost?
Bluetick Coonhound puppies from hunting or show breeders in the US commonly run $500-$1,200, with proven hunting lines costing more; coonhound rescues regularly have adults for a fraction of that. Over an 11-12 year life, food and routine vet care for a large dog typically add $15,000-$20,000, and an emergency bloat surgery can run $3,000-$8,000 on its own.
Is a Blue Coonhound the same as a Bluetick Coonhound?
Yes - Bluetick Coonhound is the official name, from the blue-ticked coat pattern. It is an American breed developed in Louisiana from French and English hounds, recognized by the AKC, and it is far easier to find in the US than the European hounds it descends from.
How loud is a Bluetick, really?
Very. The breed was selected for a bawl that carries across miles of night woods, and it uses that voice at squirrels, doorbells, sirens and boredom. Training reduces nuisance barking but does not remove the instinct; if noise is a dealbreaker, this is the wrong breed.
Is a Blue Coonhound good for a first-time owner?
Usually not. It is sweet-natured and rarely aggressive, but the combination of stubborn independence, huge exercise needs, escape-artist tendencies and volume defeats most beginners. First-time owners who succeed with one are typically rural, very active, and realistic about hound behavior.