Field researcher, animal behavior specialist, and Dog lover
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If you’re drawn to the idea of a dog with serious tracking power and a voice that can echo through canyons, the Bloodhound Bluetick mix might just be your kind of hound. This isn’t a mix you see on every street corner—it’s a purposeful blend of two legendary scent hounds with deep roots in tracking, trailing, and hunting. The Bloodhound brings that relentless, ground-scent obsession, while the Bluetick Coonhound adds speed, treeing instinct, and a striking coat. What you get is a dog built to work, with a nose that never lies and energy reserves that’ll outlast your hiking boots. But let me be clear: this is not a dog for someone looking for an easy, low-maintenance companion. If you want a hound that lives to follow scent trails and needs a job to do, keep reading.
The Bloodhound Bluetick mix is a working hound hybrid that inherits some of the most powerful scenting abilities in the canine world. Neither parent breed is recognized as a “designer dog,” and you won’t find this mix in any kennel club registry—but that doesn’t mean it’s uncommon among hunters, search-and-rescue handlers, and rural dog owners who need a reliable tracker.
What I find impressive about this cross is how complementary the two breeds are. The Bloodhound is methodical, patient, and tireless on a cold trail. The Bluetick is faster, more vocal, and has a strong instinct to tree game. Together, you often get a dog with exceptional nose work, decent speed, and the drive to stay on task for hours. But you also get a hound with a mind of its own, a voice that carries for miles, and an energy level that demands more than a stroll around the block.
Expect a medium to large dog—most fall between 55 and 80 pounds, with males typically larger than females. Height at the shoulder usually ranges from 23 to 27 inches. The build tends to be lean and athletic, though some individuals inherit the Bloodhound’s heavier bone structure and loose skin, especially around the face and neck.
The coat is short, dense, and relatively low-maintenance, though it does shed year-round. Color-wise, you’ll often see the Bluetick’s signature ticking pattern—dark blue mottling over a white base—sometimes combined with tan points or the Bloodhound’s saddle markings. Some pups look more Bluetick, others favor the Bloodhound’s solid coloring. It’s a lottery, especially in first-generation mixes.
This is where things get real. The Bloodhound Bluetick mix is affectionate, loyal, and surprisingly gentle indoors—but flip the switch outdoors, and you’ve got a driven scent hound that can tune you out entirely when a trail gets hot. If your dog locks onto a scent, you suddenly become background noise. That’s not disobedience; it’s genetics.
Both parent breeds were developed for one thing: following scent. The Bloodhound has been used for centuries to track humans and game over long distances, often hours or even days after the trail was laid. The Bluetick, meanwhile, was bred to hunt raccoons and other game at night, using its nose to track and its voice to signal the tree. Your mix will inherit that scent-driven obsession, and it’s non-negotiable.
In my opinion, this makes them phenomenal candidates for nosework, tracking sports, or search-and-rescue training. But it also means recall can be a real challenge, especially off-leash. If you’re not prepared to work with that instinct—not against it—you’ll spend a lot of time frustrated.
Let’s talk about the baying and howling. Bluetick Coonhounds are famously vocal, with a deep, melodic bay that can carry for miles. Bloodhounds are generally quieter, but they can still howl when the mood strikes. Your mix? Likely somewhere in between, but don’t count on a silent dog. If you live in an apartment or have close neighbors, this concerns me. Hounds vocalize when they’re bored, excited, or on a trail—and training it out of them is like trying to stop a bird from singing.
Most Bloodhound Bluetick mixes are friendly and tolerant with people, including kids. They’re not typically aggressive or territorial in the way some guardian breeds are. That said, their size and energy mean they can accidentally knock over small children, and their single-minded focus during scent work means they’re not always tuned into what’s happening around them.
With strangers, they’re usually more curious than cautious. Neither parent breed is known for being a great watchdog—they’d rather sniff a burglar than bark at one. If you want a dog that alerts you to intruders, this isn’t your best bet.
Here’s where a lot of people underestimate this mix. You’re looking at a dog that needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise daily, minimum. And I’m not talking about a casual walk on a flat sidewalk—I’m talking about long hikes, trail time, scent work sessions, or structured tracking practice. A tired hound is a manageable hound; a bored one will dig, bay, and destroy.
This is the single best outlet for a Bloodhound Bluetick mix. Set up scent trails in your yard, hide treats or toys, or enroll in a formal nosework or tracking class. It taps into what they were born to do, and it tires out their brain in a way that physical exercise alone can’t. A 20-minute scent session can leave them more satisfied than an hour-long run.
If you’re not using their nose, you’re wasting their potential—and setting yourself up for behavioral issues. I’ve seen too many hounds end up in shelters because their owners didn’t understand that these dogs need a job.
I’d recommend keeping this mix on a long line or in a securely fenced area. Their recall is notoriously unreliable once they catch a scent. Even well-trained hounds can vanish into the woods for hours, completely oblivious to your calls. It’s not defiance—it’s biology. Plan accordingly.
Bloodhound Bluetick mixes are intelligent but independent. They’re not Golden Retrievers who live to please you; they’re hounds who were bred to work at a distance from humans, making decisions on their own. That means training requires patience, consistency, and a willingness to work with their instincts, not against them.
Harsh corrections or dominance-based training will backfire. Hounds shut down or become stubborn when handled roughly. Instead, use high-value rewards—real meat, cheese, or whatever makes their eyes light up—and keep sessions short and varied. Repetition bores them, and a bored hound stops listening.
Start early. Expose your pup to different environments, people, dogs, and situations. While this mix is generally friendly, under-socialized hounds can become overly shy or reactive. They’re also prone to developing selective hearing if they don’t learn to focus on you amid distractions. Puppy classes, group hikes, and controlled playdates are all worth the investment.
Expect pulling. Hounds follow their noses, and they’re strong. A front-clip harness and consistent leash training will help, but understand that perfect heel work isn’t this breed’s forte. If you want a dog that walks politely beside you without sniffing every blade of grass, this mix will test your patience.
Good news: the grooming needs are relatively straightforward. The short coat doesn’t require professional grooming, but it does shed consistently. A weekly brush with a rubber curry or hound glove will help control loose hair and keep the coat healthy.
Those long, droopy ears—especially if your mix inherits the Bloodhound’s ear length—need regular attention. Hounds are prone to ear infections because of poor air circulation. Check and clean the ears weekly with a vet-approved solution, especially after outdoor adventures.
Drool is another consideration. If your mix leans Bloodhound, expect some slobber, particularly after drinking water or during warm weather. Keep a towel handy if you’re not a fan of wet furniture.
Like most mixes, the Bloodhound Bluetick cross benefits from hybrid vigor, but it’s still susceptible to issues common in both parent breeds. Lifespan typically ranges from 10 to 12 years.
Both Bloodhounds and Blueticks can develop joint issues, especially as they age. Responsible breeders should screen for hip and elbow dysplasia. If you’re adopting, ask about any known orthopedic problems and keep your dog at a healthy weight to reduce stress on the joints.
Deep-chested breeds like the Bloodhound are at higher risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or bloat—a life-threatening emergency. Feed smaller meals throughout the day, avoid vigorous exercise immediately after eating, and learn the warning signs. In my opinion, it’s worth discussing preventive gastropexy with your vet, especially if your dog has a deep chest.
Those floppy ears trap moisture and debris, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Regular cleaning and keeping ears dry after swims or baths will go a long way in preventing chronic issues.
Bloodhounds can suffer from entropion and ectropion—conditions where the eyelid rolls inward or outward. If your mix has loose facial skin, watch for signs of irritation, excessive tearing, or redness, and consult your vet if anything looks off.
This mix does best in a house with a securely fenced yard—preferably in a rural or suburban setting where their vocalizations won’t be an issue. Apartment living is possible if you’re extremely committed to daily exercise and mental stimulation, but it’s far from ideal.
Most Bloodhound Bluetick mixes are patient and gentle with children, but their size and energy mean supervision is essential, especially with toddlers. They’re not known for being snappy or aggressive, but an excited hound can easily knock over a small child.
This depends heavily on early socialization and individual temperament. Many hounds do fine with other dogs, especially if raised together. Cats and small pets are a different story. The prey drive inherited from the Bluetick side can make them unreliable around small, fast-moving animals. If your mix fixates on the family cat, that’s a serious management issue.
I’d be cautious here. This isn’t a beginner-friendly mix. The combination of independence, high exercise needs, and scent-driven distraction requires an owner who’s patient, consistent, and willing to put in the work. If you’ve never trained a hound before, you’ll have a learning curve—but if you’re up for the challenge, it can be incredibly rewarding.
You’re not going to find many breeders specializing in this cross. Most Bloodhound Bluetick mixes come from working lines—hunters or trackers who breed for function, not appearance. Occasionally, you’ll find them in shelters or breed-specific rescues, especially in rural areas where hunting hounds are more common.
If you’re going the breeder route, prioritize health testing (hips, elbows, eyes) and temperament over looks. Ask to meet the parent dogs, see where the pups are raised, and get a sense of what the breeder’s goals are. Are they breeding for working ability, or just producing puppies? That distinction matters.
Hound rescues often have mixes like this available, sometimes at a fraction of the cost of a puppy from a breeder. Adoption fees typically range from $150 to $400. The trade-off is that you may not know the dog’s full history, but many rescues do temperament testing and can give you a realistic picture of what you’re getting.
Beyond the initial adoption or purchase price (which can range from $300 to $1,000 depending on the source), budget for annual costs of $1,200 to $2,000. That includes quality food, routine vet care, flea/tick prevention, heartworm meds, and the occasional emergency. Factor in training classes, nosework gear, and sturdy leashes—hounds are hard on equipment.
Food costs for a 60-to-80-pound active dog run around $50 to $80 per month if you’re feeding a decent-quality kibble. If you go raw or high-end, expect that to climb.
The Bloodhound Bluetick mix is a phenomenal dog for the right owner. If you’re active, outdoorsy, and genuinely excited about doing scent work or tracking with your dog, this mix will thrive. If you have land, patience, and a tolerance for baying at 6 a.m., even better.
But if you want a dog that’s happy with a quick backyard potty break and an evening on the couch, look elsewhere. This is a hound that needs purpose and activity. Underestimate that, and you’ll both be miserable.
I’ve seen too many hounds end up in shelters because owners didn’t realize what they were signing up for. Don’t be that person. If you’re drawn to this mix, do your homework, meet some hounds in person, and be honest about whether your lifestyle can support a dog with this much drive. If it can, you’ll have a loyal, hardworking partner who’ll follow a trail to the ends of the earth—and that’s a rare and beautiful thing. If you’re also interested in other Bloodhound mixes with strong working traits, you might want to check out the Rhodesian Ridgeback Bloodhound Mix, which brings a different kind of intensity to the table.
