With its superior tracking instincts and a great sense of smell, the Blue Tick Beagle has a reputation for being an agile hunting dog and an amazing companion. Are you seriously thinking about adopting or buying the Blue Tick Beagle? I did the research, and here are some facts and behaviors you need to know. So, what is a Blue Tick Beagle?
A Blue Tick Beagle is a type of hound dog bred for hunting, tracking, and detecting scents. It is a determined small dog that is curious, protective, and confident. However, it is technically not a different breed of Beagle but a different color variant of the Beagle.
Its coat is covered in blue ticks or some flecks of color over the base color of white or black, which adds a blue or gray appearance to its coat. Although they are small, they have a confident scent hound and great agility, making them perfect for hunting. However, there is a lot more to learn about the dog; keep reading to find out more!
Is A Blue Tick Beagle Purebred?
The Blue Tick Beagle breed is neither a new nor a separate dog breed. It is a color variation of the purebred Beagle dog breed with a blue-tick color. It is a rare type of beagle dog breed because of the unusual coat coloration for a Beagle dog; a blue color! However, it is quite popular in some countries like America, where it was ranked by AKC as the 7th most popular dog breed in 2020.
How Big Do Blue Tick Beagles Get?
Male Blue tick Beagles can get between 13 to 15 inches tall and weigh between 22 to 25 lbs. On the other hand, female Blue Tick Beagles have a height of between 11 to 13 inches and weigh between 20 to 23 lbs.
Physical Appearance
The Blue-tick Beagle features a blue or gray coat appearance with brown eyes, long floppy ears, and a black nose, making it an attractive small hunting dog. It is a small to a medium-sized and compact purebred dog that is similar to a miniature foxhound except it comes with a broader head and a shorter muzzle.
Beagle dogs also have smooth and short-haired coats, and their passive nature and small size make them great for a number of activities.
How Long Do Blue Tick Beagles Live?
Blue Tick Beagles, both male and female, have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
However, just like any other dog breed, they may suffer from different health issues that may shorten their lifespan.
Common Health Issues
Although Blue Tick Beagles are generally a healthy breed, they may have possible health issues. Since they are a purebred dog breed, they can also inherit several genetic health problems. Here are some common health problems they are likely to get:
- Hypothyroidism – This disorder affects the immune system, and some of the symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, lethargy, etc.
- Epilepsy – It is a condition that leads to recurring and unconditional seizures.
- Glaucoma – This is where a lot of pressure can be felt in the inner eye, and when left untreated, it can cause blindness.
- Cherry eye – It includes a red and oval-shaped mass that appears on the eye, and the eye becomes swollen, painful, and unable to produce tears.
- Diabetes
- Hip dysplasia
- Back problems – These may lead to difficulty in walking and moving around.
How To Take Care Of Your Blue Tick Beagle?
Exercise
Since Blue Tick Beagles are energetic dogs with lots of stamina, they will benefit from at least one hour of daily exercise. This could include playtime, walks, and other activities to help them stretch their muscles and keep them occupied. Luckily, they love going on long walks regularly.
Diet
Blue Tick Beagles love their food. However, as a small-sized dog, care should be taken not to overfeed them and become overweight because the breed is prone to diabetes. The amount of food they take should be in line with their daily activity level.
Moreover, the quality of the food really matters. Although the Blue Tick Beagles will flourish in a wide range of balanced diets, it is important to get good quality foods. For this reason, we recommend Pet Plate for delicious and nutritious vet-developed meals that are freshly prepared, free from by-products, and safe for your dog.
Multivitamins
A healthy and fresh diet will provide the Blue Tick Beagle with all the necessary vitamins and minerals. However, supplementing their diet using the right multivitamins can be beneficial. To achieve great and healthy results, it is important to get one from a quality manufacturer whose products are certified and tested.
Dental Water Additives
Dental water additives are an easy way to prevent the build-up of bacteria and tartar formation in Blue Tick Beagle’s mouth. They are liquids formulated, similar to a mouthwash, that helps clean and freshens your dog’s mouth.
These additives also prevent bad breath and gum disease, and they will also protect both their teeth and gums. However, it is crucial to note that such additives are not a replacement for brushing but do offer some additional benefits.
Can You Leave A Blue Tick Beagle Home Alone? Temperaments Of Blue Tick Beagles
Generally, Beagles are friendly and love attention which makes them loyal companion. They prefer a company, either a human or canine company, instead of being left alone.
As much as you can leave them home alone for a few hours, training may be necessary to ensure the dog remains safe and ease the feeling of isolation.
Blue Tick Beagles are not aggressive but rather curious in nature. They have high energy levels, and just like any other dog breed, especially those with prey instincts, they require early socialization and training. This is to help them learn the boundaries and keep the dog safe while outside.
This dog breed is protective of its owners and can be aggressive to strangers they find as threats. For this reason, they need to be trained on how to calm down in new environments and around new people. However, they are quite gentle, love to play, and go for long walks.
Do Blue Tick Beagles Bark A Lot?
Although the Blue Tick Beagles are generally great companion dogs, they tend to bark. They will bark if they don’t get enough stimulation when bored or hungry. They tend to communicate through barking.
While they will probably not bark all day, you should expect frequent barking. The Beagles are one of the few hunting dogs that make a baying sound (a mix between a bark and a howl).
Are Blue Tick Beagles Hard To Train?
The Blue Tick Beagle is a disciplined and easy-to-train dog breed. They tend to learn easily and follow orders, as they love to please their owners as well as satisfy their commands.
Since the Beagle breed is said to have lots of stamina and energy, these Blue Tick Beagles need to be socialized and trained early to help them learn to control their energy levels and prey instincts.
They also have an incredible sense of smell that you can easily train to detect a range of things that have different odors. Leash training is also recommended because they are intelligent and curious in nature. Since they like food, training using positive reinforcement and food-based treats is made easier.
Do Blue Tick Beagles Shed A Lot? Grooming Tips For Blue Tick Beagles
A Blue Tick beagle is a smooth, short-haired, and double-coated dog breed that sheds regularly depending on a number of factors, including seasonal changes. Since this breed is not hypoallergenic, it may not be the best for people prone to allergic reactions. Here are some grooming tips;
Brushing
To reduce the amount of shedding and ensure the dog remains healthy, you need to brush its coat at least once a week. There are several types of brushes that you could use, with our favorite one being the FURminator Undercoat Tool, which helps remove loose hair without cutting the skin or damaging the topcoat.
Brushing Teeth
Brush their teeth regularly, at least two times a week, to avoid gum disease and build-up of plaque. Doing it daily is even better for preventing tartar and bacteria build-up.
Trimming Nails
Nails need to be trimmed regularly, at least once a month, especially if your dog won’t tear them down naturally. This helps prevent painful tears, but you need to ensure that the trim is not too far because it may cause bleeding.
Check Ears, Eyes, And Signs Of Infections
The dog’s floppy ears need to be checked for any signs of infection or any dirt build-up that may cause infections. Be sure to check other signs of infections like inflammation in the eyes, ears, feet, mouth, nose, and skin. Weekly examinations will help spot health issues or infections early.
Bathing
It is important to bathe the Blue Tick Beagle only when needed. Overbathing this breed may strip away the natural oils from their coats. Some dog-formulated shampoos like the Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo will not only clean the dog coat but also offer protection against fleas and insect bites.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Blue Tick Beagle Cost? Blue Tick Beagles can cost anywhere from $400 up to $1,000, depending on a number of factors, including health condition, pedigree, pattern, and coloring. However, in the long run, other costs are likely to be incurred, for example, food, vet fees, medications and vaccinations, accessories, and toys.
Can Blue Tick Beagles Swim? Blue Tick Beagles are naturally great swimmers, but this doesn’t mean that they like being in the water. However, some serious training needs to be done to aid this dog in getting used to swimming, and to generally being in and around water.
What Do Blue Tick Beagles Hunt? Blue Tick Beagles are great hunting dogs for small hares, rabbits, missing artifacts, clothing, etc. The Blue Tick Beagle is a small but smart dog breed with great stamina, a fantastic sense of smell, and a high energy level. Its curious nature and high agility make a Blue Tick Beagle perfect for tracking or tracing and retrieving prey, commonly known as Beagling.
