What does bluetick mean?
A bluetick is an American breed of scenthound, formally known as the Bluetick Coonhound, developed in the southern United States for tracking raccoons and other game by scent. The name comes from the dog's distinctive coat: a dense mottling of black hairs on a white background produces a blue-speckled effect known as 'ticking.' Blueticks are large, athletic dogs with a bawling, musical voice — a trait highly valued by night hunters who follow their hounds by sound. Beyond the show ring and hunting field, the word appears widely in American culture, from country songs such as George Jones's 'The Race Is On' reference to 'old blue' to the mascot of the University of Tennessee's veterinary school. The term evokes rural heritage, loyalty, and the deep-rooted hunting traditions of Appalachia and the American South.
A Bluetick Coonhound, an American breed of large scenthound with a mottled blue-ticked coat, bred for hunting raccoons and trailing game.
"A bluetick's mournful bay echoed across the ridge long after the hunters lost sight of it."
Usually capitalized ('Bluetick') when naming the official breed; lowercase in general descriptive use.
Any dog displaying a blue-ticked coat pattern of dense black speckling on white, regardless of breed.
"That stray looks like it might have some bluetick in it, judging by the speckles on its legs."
Informal usage, common among hunters and dog fanciers.
Regular plural; used for multiple dogs of the breed or several dogs with blue-ticked coats.
"The kennel keeps six blueticks, each trained on a different game trail."
The bluetick's 'blue' isn't pigment at all — it's a dense speckling of black hairs on white that tricks the eye into seeing blue, much like the ticking of a dalmatian in reverse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bluetick
The word bluetick is a straightforward English compound formed within the United States, combining 'blue,' describing the slate-colored appearance created by densely ticked black-and-white fur, with 'tick,' an older English word for the small speckled markings on an animal's coat. The breed itself descends from French staghounds, notably those associated with the Marquis de Lafayette's gift of Grand Bleu de Gascogne-type hounds to George Washington, later crossed with English coonhounds in the American South. The breed was recognized as distinct in the mid-twentieth century, with the United Kennel Club registering the Bluetick Coonhound separately from other coonhound breeds.
How bluetick is actually used
The word is most commonly encountered as part of the breed name 'Bluetick Coonhound,' which is typically capitalized when referring to the registered breed. In casual speech among hunters, 'bluetick' often stands alone. The term carries a warm, rural, distinctly American connotation tied to Southern and Appalachian hunting culture.
Easily confused with bluetick
Both are American coonhounds, but the bluetick has a mottled blue-ticked coat while the black and tan coonhound has a solid black coat with tan markings.