An Introduction to Red Haired Blue Ticks
The red haired blue tick is a type of hunting dog that is highly popular in the southern United States. As their name suggests, these dogs have a very distinctive appearance with a red coat and blue ticking or mottled pattern on their fur. They are bred specifically for hunting purposes to track and tree animals such as raccoons, squirrels, and even black bears.
The Origins of the Red Haired Blue Tick
The red haired blue tick has its origins from breeding the English Foxhound with various French hound breeds. Breeders were looking to develop a dog that had superior scenting abilities and was fast and hardy enough to hunt in dense forests and over rough terrain. The red ticking pattern is believed to have come from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne hound in particular.
This mix of European hunting dogs was brought to the United States by early settlers where native dogs were also occasionally bred in. Over time, the distinctive red haired blue tick breed was solidified in the southern states where they were prized for their hunting prowess and ability to thrive in hot and humid climates.
Temperament of the Red Tick Blue Blood
As true hunting dogs, red haired blue ticks are energetic, tenacious, and extremely vocal. Their baying bark allows hunters to follow them from afar as they pick up and pursue a scent. They also bark excitedly once they have treed their prey.
These dogs form very close bonds with their human families. However, their strong prey drive means they should not be trusted off leash or with smaller pets. They need extensive daily exercise and stimulation to prevent nuisance behaviors from developing out of boredom.
Hunting Abilities of the Red Haired Blue Tick
Red haired blue tick hounds put their keen sense of smell, loud barking voices, speed, and endurance to work tracking and treeing small game. They are capable of picking up very faint scents and pursuing animals over miles of rugged hunting terrain through sheer determination.
Unlike bay dogs that corner quarry, red ticks are known as "tree dogs." Once they have chased an animal and caused it to take refuge in a tree, the red tick will circle below and howl to notify the hunters of the treed location. Their ability to track game even on cold or old scent trails is unmatched.
Appearance of the Red Haired Blue Tick
As their name so vividly describes, the most distinctive feature of the red haired blue tick is their vibrant red coat covered in a classic bluish gray ticking pattern. The ticking can range from clear spots on a lighter red background to a very dense concentration of blue ticking that appears almost solid.
These dogs are medium-sized, athletic hunters standing from 18-24 inches tall at the shoulder. They have muscular frames covered in short, dense coats that offer protection while hunting dense brush. Their dark eyes convey an intelligent and eager expression.
Grooming Needs of the Blue Tick Red Blood
The smooth, short coat of the red haired blue tick requires very little grooming to keep neat and clean. Occasional brushing can help remove loose hair and distribute skin oils. These dogs shed an average amount of hair year round.
As hunting dogs that work outdoors, red ticks do tend to become dirty and grimy and pick up foxtails, burrs, and even stickers on their coats. Check them over after outings in the field to prevent debris becoming tangled or embedding in their skin.
Health Issues Facing Red Haired Blue Ticked Dogs
Overall, the red haired blue tick is a robust and healthy breed. However, like all dogs, they may encounter certain health conditions including:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Allergies and skin problems
- Deafness in one or both ears
- Eye issues such as progressive retinal atrophy
- Bloat
Reputable breeders should screen parent dogs for dysplasia, eye disorders, and hearing problems to reduce the chances of these in offspring. With proper nutrition, exercise, and vet care most red ticks enjoy good health into old age.
Finding Responsible Red Haired Blue Tick Breeders
It's important to find responsible breeders of red haired blue ticks that demonstrate a commitment to health and genetic testing of their breeding dogs. Never purchase these dogs from retail pet stores or unscrupulous online sellers.
Locate breeders through regional red tick coon hunter clubs and registries. Expect to be placed on waiting lists, as demand for these popular hunting dogs outpaces supply from quality breeders. Be prepared to pay $500 to $1000 or more for a red haired blue tick pup.
Caring for a Red Haired Blue Tick Dog
The active, driven red haired blue tick dog thrives when properly cared for by an owner able to meet their considerable physical and mental needs. Heres whats required to properly care for one of these unique hunting hounds.
Feeding a Red Haired Blue Blood Hound
It's important not to overfeed a red tick dog, as excess weight can put more strain on their joints and risk exacerbating conditions like hip dysplasia. These high energy dogs need a high quality diet to maintain muscle mass and fuel their exploits.
Most red tick owners choose high protein kibbles specially formulated for hunting or sporting breeds. They may supplement with canned food or raw meat on occasion. Whatever diet is chosen, it should be tailored to the individual dogs needs based on age, health, and activity level.
Exercising a Red Haired Blue Ticked Dog
Bred to track game for hours through dense woods, a red haired blue tick that doesn't get enough vigorous daily exercise can become bored, frustrated, and even destructive at home. They need long walks or runs as well as opportunities to explore interesting scents.
In addition to meeting their exercise needs every day, the ideal home will provide a safe way for a red tick dog to practice what they were born to do - hunt! Tracking games, obedience training, or taking them along on actual hunts are the best activities for a red haired blue tick.
Housetraining Considerations
Red haired blue tick puppies should be housetrained using positive reinforcement and crate training techniques. While they are hunting dogs happy to live outdoors, these breeds strongly bond with their families and prefer to sleep inside at night.
Their tendency to be vocal can frustrate housetraining, but being consistent and not giving them attention when barking in their crate for attention avoids reinforcing the behavior. With patient training these dogs can become trustworthy indoor members of the family.
Keeping Red Ticked Hounds Safe
One of the biggest responsibilities of owning a red haired blue tick is providing for their safety. Once they are on a tempting scent trail outside, these hunting dogs are singularly focused and prone to ignoring traffic and other hazards to pursue prey.
They should always be leashed or contained in a secured, fenced yard. Underground or invisible fences are not enough to restrain a motivated red tick in hunting mode. Their recall is also notoriously poor, so a safely fenced area or leash is vital anytime they are not inside.
Benefits of Owning a Red Haired Blue Tick Dog
While they require experienced owners ready to meet their demands, red haired blue tick dogs offer wonderful benefits. Heres why these striking hounds make special additions to the right homes.
Tireless Hunting Abilities
There are few scents a determined red tick can't unravel once they have the trail. Unlike other hunting dogs, these dogs pursue prey relentlessly with their signature baying barks signaling the treed location of quarry like raccoons or gray fox to hunters.
Devoted Bonds With Their People
Beneath their independent, outdoorsy hunting exterior beats the heart of an affectionate companion. Red haired blue ticks love spending evenings on the porch or couch with their special person after a long day of tracking and treeing in the woods.
Protective Instincts
Red tick hounds help keep properties free of pesky varmints and also use their loud, carrying voices to sound alerts if anything is amiss. Though friendly with their human pack, most red ticks are reserved with strangers and make imposing watch dogs.
Relatively Low Maintenance Coats
While grooming needs may increase during spring and fall shedding seasons, most red haired blue tick owners find their short, dense coats require little regular upkeep to stay looking sharp. Their classic color and ticked pattern always garners admiring looks as well!
Thrive Equally Well Outdoors or Indoors
While happy to track through rough brush and bay from tree limbs for hours, red haired blue ticks are just as content to curl up by the fire with their favorite person at day's end. Their versatility suits country and suburban homes alike.
Spirited, vocal, and wonderfully devoted, the red haired blue tick hound's unique looks and abilities have made them prized hunting partners and family friends for generations throughout the southeastern United States. They continue to thrive and spread their good dog reputation wherever they set foot!
FAQs
What types of game do red ticks typically hunt?
The most common game pursued and treed by red haired blue ticks are raccoons and squirrels. However, they are also sometimes used to tree black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and even feral pigs in the southern United States where these animals are common.
Are red ticks good with children?
supervised, red ticks can do well with respectful children used to being around hunting dogs. However, their strong prey drive makes close supervision always important around little ones. As loyal as they are to their families, children should never be left unsupervised with powerful hunting dogs.
How can I best train a red tick puppy?
Early obedience training, exposure to loud noises, and positive introduction to tracking and trailing games lays the foundation for a well-trained red haired blue tick. Work on recall cues using long lead training as soon as they have had all their puppy vaccinations.
What health clearances should responsible red tick breeders perform?
Reputable red haired blue tick breeders will screen their breeding stock for hip and elbow dysplasia, have their hearing tested annually, perform annual eye exams to check for inherited conditions, and may also test for thyroid disorders.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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