Bluetick Coonhound
This standard has been framed for three real
purposes. First, to act as a guide for the judges at a bench
shows. Second, to furnish suggestions for breeders in their aims
toward improving the breed to higher ideals in their breeding.
Third, to advance this breed to one of similar sameness
throughout the county.
APPEARANCE
Appearance of the Bluetick Coonhound should be that of a
speedy, well muscled individual, straight up of racy type, not
clumsy or chunky built. Body should be neat, coat glossy; head
carried well up but not goosenecked. Eyes clear and keen Tail
earned gaily above back, not curled or dropped between legs, feet
round and well padded. A pleading hound expression, not wild or
cowering. Active, ambitious, and speedy on trail.
HEAD
Ears
Well attached slightly below top of skull should be thin with
slight roll taper well towards a point, and should reach well
toward end of nose.
Ears
Set low enough of head and devoid of erectile power. Ears
well attached to head to prevent hanging or backward tilt
Head
Skull very slightly domed and broad between ears, never narrow.
Length from occipital to end of nose, males 9 to 10 inches;
females 8 to 9 inches.
Eyes
Should be rather large, set wide apart at the stop. Stop
prominent. Houndlikeexpression, as pleading. Dark brown or
black, not lighter than hazel in coloring. Lids of eyes should be
firm and close, without excess third eyelid showing (no drooping)
Muzzle
From stop to end of nose should be square, well proportioned in
width with the skull, with depth and flows well covering the
lower jaw. Depth to 3 to 4.5 inches.
HEIGHT AT SHOULDERS
Slightly higher at shoulder than at hips, never lower at the
shoulders than at hips. Males: 22 to 27 inches at shoulders.
Females: 21 to 25 inches at shoulders.
BODY
Neck: Should rise free from shoulders, with slight taper, not
carried too high or too low, not thick as shoulders, muscular and
of moderate length Throat: Clean, with very small trace of dewlap
(excess dewlap objectionable)
Shoulder
Clean, gradually sloped and muscular, not broad and
protruding, but to appear as part of body, showing freedom of
movement and strength
Chest
Should show considerable depth, rather than excessive width,
allowing plenty of lung space, fairly even with front of
shoulders, extending well down to the elbow, in girth for males,
26 to 34 inches, females 23 to 30 inches.
Ribs
Should be well sprung with good depth and taper gradually to
short ribs, resembling a curve in the chest, rather than a sunken
drop-off between chest and stomach Ribs should gather at the
shoulders, sloping well with neck when the head is held alert
BACK & LOIN
Back
Should be moderately fang and muscular, tapering up to a high
gather at the shoulder, sloping well with the neck when head is
held alert (Back length to be in comparison with height) Loin:
Broad, well muscled and slightly arched.
FORELEGS
Straight from He shoulders down to the feet well boned and
muscular, with a strong, straight pasterns Forelegs should appear
straight from either side or front view.
FEET
Round with well arched toes. (No upward trend of toe claw.)
Thick tough pads. When standing should appear as a ball rather
than to spread
HIPS
Strong and well muscled, width slightly less than rag spring.
Rump should taper slightly with width in proportion to hips.
THIGHS
Of gradual taper with excess muscular development giving
abundant propelling power. Breeching full and clean down to hock
HOCKS
Firm and moderator bent not excessively bent (as cow hocks),
hind legs to appear straight with the body when viewed from
behind.
TAIL
Attached slimly below the back line, well rooted, and
tapering to a moderate length as compared with led of hound.
Carried high with a forward owe as of half moon tail well
coated(not flagged), not rat tail.
COAT
Medium coarse and laying close to the body. To appear smooth
and glossy. Neither too rough nor too short.
WEIGHT
Males: 55 to 80 pounds. Females: 45 to 65 pounds.
VOICE
The bluetick should be a free tongue on trail with a medium
bawl or bugle voice when striking and bailing, may change to a
steady shop when running, with a steady coarse chop at tree.
COLOR
Preferred color of the Bluetick is a dark blue, thickly
mottled body. spotted 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. Red may be eliminated as to the desire of the breeder, as
well as the head coloring and amount of buck 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.
TEETH
Even, neither undershot nor overshot.
POINTS:
Head 10
Neck 5
Should 10
Chest & Ribs 10
Back & Loins 15
Elbows 5
Legs and feet 20
Coat and Color 5
Stern 5
Hind Quarters 10
General Make up 5
Total 100