Bluetick Coonhound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison

Bred to be hunting dogs, for a long time the Bluetick Coonhound was referred to as the English Coonhound.The Bluetick Coonhound is actually one of 6 recognized breeds of Coonhound, and they were all developed in the United States. In 1945, breeders broke away from their English counterparts, renaming the larger dog to Bluetick Coonhound.

Not much is known of their origins but it seems as though with selective breeding between French Hounds, Foxhounds and English Coonhounds, the Bluetick Coonhound was produced. Originating in the United States of America, it was in 2008 that he Bluetick Coonhound was recognized by the AKC in the Miscellaneous Class.

The Bernese Mountain Dog comes from the Swiss Alps and is one of four separate breeds called Sennenhund or “Alpine pasture dog”. The Name Bernese Mountain Dog indicates the area of Switzerland that the dogs come from – the canton of Bern. These groups of dogs accompanied the dairymen and herders and they were farm dogs. They pulled carts, delivered goods from village to village. The Bernese Mountain Dog was part of this group along with: Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Appenzeller,Entlebucher Mountain Dog and the Bernese Mountain Dog. It is probably true that the Bernese Mountain Dog has been a part of farm life in the Alps for over 2000 years.

In some regions of the Alps, these dogs were called Durrbachhund after a small town named Durrbah and are said to be rooted in the Molosser breeds. Tin 1902 the Swiss Kennel Club recognized the Bernese Mountain Dog as a separate breed and the first breed club was founded in 1907 in the region of Burgdorf. The first standard for the breed was written and separated the 4 dogs into their own breeds. The Molosser is an ancient breed whose versatility and travels made it expressly influential in the developing of Mastiff dogs like St. Bernards, Great Pyranees, Mastiffs and Swiss Mountain Dogs like the Bernese.

However at the end of the 19th century famers and shepherds began to import other breeds of working dogs, while at the same time automated modes of transportation began to replace the farm dogs. Under these circumstances the number of Bernese Mountain Dog began to decline and the breed faced potential extinction. A group of people were gathered together to save the Berner, including Franz Schertenleib and Albert Heim. Still today the Bernese are in short supply and because of the need and desire to increase the numbers, some breeding practices have not been as good as they should have been. However, today’s Berner is a great family dog and he still loves to work. He is good at carting, herding, search and rescue, watch dog, tracking, and competitive obedience.

The Bernese Mountain Dog came to the US after World War I and was imported to Britain in the 1930’s. The AKC accepted the Berner as a new Working-Class breed in 1937. It was not until 1968 that the Bernese Mountain Dog Club of America was formed. In 1981, the AKC accepted the club as a member and in 1990 they (AKC) adopted the standard used today to judge the Bernese Mountain Dog.

This is a medium to large dog that sports a dark blue and white coat which is densely mottled or ticked. The Bluetick Coonhound’s coat can be described as tri-colored, and the dog’s head and ears are essentially black. He can also have tan markings on the chest, below the tail, around the muzzle and over the eyes. The dog is muscular and athletic and weighs from 25 to 36kg. Typically of the Hound breed, he has a sad but amicable expression on his face.

The Bluetick Coonhound is an intelligent dog and once he has been trained and socialized, he becomes a wonderful member of the family, getting on well with children and other pets He will need plenty of companionship from his human family as well as exercise, and isn’t a dog that you can just have stuck away in your back garden. A Bluetick needs plenty of companionship and activity to be happy.

Friendly and social, this is a vocal dog, given to baying, barking and howling. He’s a scenthound, so when you take him for a walk, which is essential for his exercise needs, you may need him on a leash as he can get scent of something and just be off. You’ll also need to ensure you have a fenced yard as he looks for ways to get out to follow a scent.

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a large, lovable clown. He has a heavy build with a tri color- mostly black – coat. He should have a white chest and rust coloring on the front of his legs, the sides of his mouth, and above his eyes. His eyes should be dark and blue eyes are a disqualification. His coat is silky, thick and long. He has medium sized triangle shaped ears and a scissors bite. He has round toes and strong, straight legs, He is well suited to cold weather. His skull is broad and flat, his muzzle is straight and strong, his nose must be black, and he does not usually drool.

He is an imposing sight, but he is also as non-aggressive as any breed. He is strong, intelligent, and agile. He should have his dew claws removed. This breed should be self-assured, yet good natured and calm. He is welcoming to strangers and loyal to his people. He needs his people.

The Bluetick Coonhound is an affectionate dog who will do well in the country, although he will adapt to city dwelling too. Wherever he is, he will need plenty of activities to keep him busy.

People living on smaller properties may have reservations about keeping one, as his bark is loud and long winded, whereas a larger property would accommodate this characteristic better.

Your Bluetick can make a wonderful pet if he is trained and socialized. He is just like a big teddy bear who wants to be part of the family and receive his full portion of love and care like everyone else.

When reading the AKC standard for the Bernese Mountain Dog you will find that the breed is good natured and self-assured. They are not aggressive, shy or anxious. These are gentle, loving dogs. At the same time, they should be socialized to all kinds of animals, people and children when they are puppies. They are happy outside but need to live in the house with their people. They need exercise and play, and because they are so large, they need this outside. But when it comes to cuddling and sleeping they need to be indoors.

They love children though you should be careful with small children because of the Berner’s size and their not being aware of their size at times. They are extremely loyal to their people and want to be with people. They are intelligent, and they want to please their people. At the same time, they are sensitive. They do not respond well to punishment or harshness. They are imposing but they are lovers at heart.

You won’t battle with too many vet’s fees for your Bluetick Coonhound as he is a healthy breed. Just like with other dogs, especially in larger dogs, watch out for hip and elbow dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia

If you do research you’ll find that quite a few Coonhounds can be affected. It is when the hip or elbow socket is malformed. Check your pet because it can lead to painful arthritis and can cause lameness.

Obesity

Typical of Hounds, your Bluetick Coonhounds loves to eat, and this is precisely why he is prone to over-eating if you allow him to. Watch your dog’s weight and don’t allow him to overeat as overeating suppresses the immune system, resulting in illness.

Even though it is well known that cancer is the leading cause of dog deaths across the globe, the Bernese Mountain Dog is particularly prone to die of cancer. Half of all Berners compared with 27% of all dogs, die from cancer. The Berner’s life span is also shorter than most dogs his size. IT is also not just one cancer that attacks the Bernese Mountain Dog but rather at least 6 or more including mast cell, osteosarcoma, malignant histiocytosis, fibrosarcoma, and lymphosarcoma. They can also suffer from PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), hypoadrenocorticism, cataracts and histiocytic sarcoma. Another issue that plaques the Berner more than other breeds is musculoskeletal issues that cause mortality. This can include issues such as cruciate ligament rupture, arthritis and hip dysplasia. These types of aliments cause death in 6% of the breed while they are usually the cause of mortality in only 2% of all other dogs.

Food

The puppy Bluetick will require 4 meals a day. Your adult Bluetick will require one or two bowls of food a day. This food can be your own home-made brand which includes rice, meat and vegetables or it should be a high quality commercially manufactured dog food. If you’re in any doubt as to what kind of dog food to be providing for your Bluetick Coonhound, rather speak to your vet as you want to ensure your pet is getting in his vitamins and minerals.

Good nutrition is essential to the health and wellbeing of your dog. It is important that he receive raw meat in his diet from time to time as well as a supplement with essential fatty acids to keep his health and skin in tip top condition. He should never ever be without a steady source of fresh, cool water.

Grooming

When it comes to grooming, an occasional brushing will suffice. The dog has a short coat but it is dense and it sheds throughout the year. Use a brush on him to get rid of loose hairs and to keep his coat soft and shiny.

Active Hound breeds are prone to ticks and fleas so check your dog regularly for these parasites.

The medium length floppy ears will need to be checked. You can always check with your veterinarian for ear cleaning products and how to use them. Never prod around in your dog’s ears, trying to clean them, as this can lead to damage.

Feeding

As with any large purebred dog, the Bernese Mountain Dog needs high quality food that will provide hi with nutrition and keep him from becoming overweight if fed properly. He is however a very large dog with a very large appetite. Watch his calorie intake. It’s ok to use treats if you fit them into the overall calorie intake for the day. Feed him smaller meals twice a day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the breed has quite a few health challenges to deal with, cancer being the number one issue. The small genetic line is one of, if not the main, culprit in this high mortality rate and short life span of the Bernese Mountain Dog. In addition to the conditions mentioned above, they are also susceptible to bloat (stomach inversion). In addition, they face the conditions mentioned previously and should be tested for dysplasia of the hip and elbow, Von Willebrand’s Disease, Cardiac testing and an eye or ophthalmologist exam.

Exercise and games

The Bernese Mountain Dog is a gentle giant. They have a calm happy demeanor and they love to work. In fact, they need to work. They love children and will quickly give them cart rides. They compete in carting competitions and herding events sponsored by the AKC. They need exercise but not an extreme amount or intense type. A half-hour a day is enough for them. They love long walks or hiking. They are great companions for backpacking or camping. They are also good at tracking, rally, obedience, and agility.