American Blue Gascon Hound Association

by
O.O.Grant

HISTORY BLUETICK COON HOUNDS

While many records and writing of by-gone hounds are incomplete, there is definite proof of the existence of blue-mottled (ticked) Stag or Board Hounds dating back to 1200 A.D. Among the most positive records was featured the GASCONY Boar Hounds. This hound was of French origin, ans were kept in packs to hunt down wild boar during and before the time of Napolean. Quoteing from Shakespeare in verse, as regards the Stag hounds: "My Hounds are bred out of the Spartan breed, so Flewed* so Sanded** and their heads are hung with ears that sweep away the morning dew. Slow in pursuit, but match in mouth like bells. A cry more tuneable was never hallo'd to, nor cheered by horn." -- There is no question by past records that the true Bluetick Hounds of the 20th Century are in part true descendants of the Stag-Boar hounds of 500 or more years ago.

FIRST REGISTRY

However the Bluetick Hounds, recognized as English Hounds first came into Registry through the United Kennel Club, Inc., of Kalamazoo, Mich., in the fore part of 1900. Mr. C. Z. Bennett, then head of the United Kennel Club saw an urgent need to recognize the third Tree Hound Breed, and spent much valuable time and effort in helping with Pedigrees available at that time among the breed. This breed has gradually become popular with the American sport of Coon Hunting, as well as their popularity as big game hounds for Bear and Lion. Tho probably their first great use in America was for deer hounds. And many of the early day Buckfield Deer Hounds carried strong blood of the Gascony Hounds in their veins. There are numerous records of Bluetick Hounds having run deer till both hounds and deer died of fatigue, some races lasting from 50 to 100 miles in length.

POPULAR AS COON HOUNDS

However in the early 1900, coon hunting became popular in America, with this and other types of tree bred hounds. Probably the most noted hounds to be early recognized through the United Kennel Club Registry as English were the bloodlines of the Immortal Bones, the Night-song, Gold Coin, and the Galloways. While registered as English Hounds, there were some ticked dogs in those bloodlines, and especially the Galloways were probably the most noted for their sanded coloring, being both Red-ticked and Blue-ticked.

BREEDERS INTEREST

In the past 20 years there has been expanded, among breeders and fanciers of the Bluetick coon and big game hounds, effort, money, and desire to re-establish the old and the true Bluetick Hounds, and their efforts have not been in vain; for today we have in America numerous breeders and fanciers of the Bluetick coon and big game hounds. And among many the types and colors are so well established that it is in great resemblance to those in popular existance more than 500 years ago.

PATICULARITY OF THE BREED

The Bluetick Hounds carry by deridity a paticularity like unto no other canine breed of genus, in that the young are born snow white with various shaped spots of solid coloring, and as the new born whelp commences to take on maturity the white commences to mote into a blue cast, forming what we of today refer to as Blueticking. Probably the more pure strains will commence the motting earlier than the more mixed strains, as some show the blue cast under the white almost at the time of whelp, up to the first few weeks of life. While others make the change more gradual, and darken with age. The true Bluetick puppie when wet will show blue streaks in the white at a few hours of age. Which in reality is more the skin coloring than that of the hair. In the Belton, or as we term them, the open classes, the skin is white splotched with spots of black. These classes never entirely become Blueticked, except to darken with considerable age, or mature age. Many inexperienced fanciers have killed at birth, what may perhaps have been great litters of Blueticks, because they were born white, and they expected them to be born blue. The bluetick is not spoken of as merely a blue hound, no matter how mottled the coloring, as blue would more define a Merle or Maltese coloring, The Bluetick is a motley coloring of black and white, so mixed as to form a sanded or pied coloring.

ORIGINAL COLOR

The original bloodline of by-gone days of the motley colored hounds, were both red and blue, and among the blues were the popular mixtures of red, such as tan dots over eyes, and on cheeks, as well as a small amount of dark red ticking on feet and lower legs. Some with maturity lightened till the tan covered the entire head, as well as the red on the feet crept up legs to the body. As light coloring control over dark coloring in many instances. There has been among breeders a tendency to overcome the amount of tan or red trim on the Blueticks, and thus establish the Redticks from the Blueticks. Perhaps this will never be accomplished to a perfect degree, as only an experienced breeder knowing his system of outcross can hope to maintain a pure color standard. However that is the object of the Bluetick Breeders of today, to establish and maintain both quality of breeding and coloring.

ALL BLUE AND BLACK

Without positive proof, there were perhaps many years ago Blueticks of solid Bluetick coloring with exceptions perhaps of some black spots. However the SEMYKENNEL believe to have bred the first all blue and black BLUETICK HOUNDS as Purebred U.K.C. Registered Bloodlines, in this, our present generations. Such individuals are blueticked down to their toes, not a tan or red hair on their entire body and small amount of black trim. Breeders of today are highly interested in such colored individuals, to cross their coloring into straings that have the red and tan coloring. However, the red and tan have predominated over a great period of years and perhaps will never be entirely erased from the breed and for that matter is not altogether desired by all breeders or fanciers of the breed. Yet individuals carrying on tan or red trim have reached heights in popularity and performance. Perhaps the most noted individual was BLUE DOLLAR, as he not only excelled in color for his day, but also a volumous voice and coon treeing instinct. And in this year, 1946, practically every individual that will produce a solid bluetick offspring are descendants of BLUE DOLLAR U.K.C. No. 233-597. However, there were several of his litter mates, also all blues, that went into circulation among dog dealers. The only other male of his litter that produced under registry was POK-A-DOT BUTCH U.K.C. No. 233-591, and bred by Semykennel, 5th and 6th generation offsprings from that mating are producing 50% or more of their offspring all Bluetick and Black from opposite matings that carry an entire background of Bluetick, Black, and Tan trimmings. Some of the highest priced puppies selling from $100 to $500.

FOUNDATION BLOODLINES

There are among our present day blueticks bloodlines, other such famous hounds as the Jocassee Valley, Harshman and Green, Ghost, Lee, Moyle, Topnotch, Silver Drum, and Missouri Valley Echo Bloodlines, orginating from all parts of the U.S.A. In fact many pure and great bluetick bloodlines, many formed from outcrosses of the afore mentioned bloodlines. Of which let us not forget that the immortal Bones, the Galloways, the Night-song and others were greatly responsible for. There are many more great bloodlines both of yesterday and today, and if space permitted they are entitled to eligible mention. And with our aim for better Bluetick coon and big game hounds, coming history will continue to mention and praise these and many other great bred and developed bloodlines from which the United Kennel Club, Inc., as well as the breeders have spent years keeping breeding pedigrees maintained.

BLUETICK BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

On April 14, 1946 there was called a meeting of breeders interested in establishing the Blueticks as a breed separate from the English Registry, and the Charter Members present were Dr. E.G. Fuhrman, Vice President of the U.K.C.; F.C. Reeder, fancier, Logansport, Ind.; Wm. H. Harshman, fancier of Bluetick Hounds, Rockport, Ill.; Ray S. Campbell, Bluetick Breeder, Slippery Rock, PA.; C.O. Smith, Bluetick breeder of Greenville, Ill.; Thurman Houston, Bluetick Breeder, Lees Creek, Ohio; Harry Vaughn, fancier, Greenville, Ill.; Carroll Suits, Bluetick fancier, Hillsboro, Ill.; Ellbert Vaughn, Bluetick Breeder, Paragould, Ark.; O.O Grant, owner of Semykennel, Willow Springs, Mo. These charter members, with letters from other well recognized breeders that had written their support, founded and accepted a Stardard for the Bluetick Coon Hounds of America. Under the guidance of the United Kennel Club Registering Office. And those favoring and buying today and in years to come from members of the Bluetick Breeders Association have the assurance that they are getting offspring from the mentioned and other great bloodlines, that are backed not alone by many generations of selective breeding for performance, but are also back by some of the oldest pure hound bloodlines recorded in history; from which you of tomorrow can buy with confidence from any breeder in the Bluetick Coon Hound Association, knowing that such breeders are founded together for the betterment of the breed and the satifaction of their customers; that Color and Performance shall go hand in hand in what they shall Breed and Sell to their public. Leading breeders of Bluetick Hounds have joined the Bluetick Breeders Association with the hopes of making this the most popular and efficient Coon and Big Game Hound in America.

--By O. O. Grant

BLUETICK HOUND BREEDING STANDARD

HEAD - Skull slightly domed and broad between ears, length from occipail to end of nose 8 to 10 inches.

EARS - Well attached below top of skull, thin with role, taper towards point, should reach well towards end of nose. Ears should set low enough on head to avoid erectile power.

EYES - Eyes should be large, well set apart at Stop (Stop prominent) of hound like expression (as pleading), dark brown or black in coloring. Lids of eyes should be firm, with excess Haw.

Muzzle - From Stop to end of nose should be square, in proportion to width of skull, with Flews well covering lower jaw.

BODY

NECK - Should rise free from shoulders, with taper, not carried too high or too low, not thick as shoulders; muscular and moderate length.

THROAT - Clean, very small trace of dewlap.

SHOULDERS - Clean gradually sloped and muscular, to appear as part of the body, showing freedom of movement and strength.

CHEST - Considerable depth rather tahn excess width, allowing good lung space, even with front of shoulders, extending well down to elbows, (Excess Girth desired).

RIBS - Well sprung with depth, taper gradually to short ribs, extending well back allowing short flank.

BACK - Moderately and muscular, tapering high at the shoulders, sloping well with neck when head is held alert.

LOINS - Broad, muscular, slightly arched.

FORELEGS - Straight from shoulders to feet, well boned, strong Pastern, appearing straight from side or front view.

FEET - Round with well arched toes, (no upward trend, or dew claws), thick tough pads.

HIPS - Well muscled, width slightly less than rib spring.

RUMP - Taper slightly.

THIGHS - Gradual taper with excess muscular development for abundant propelling power. Bretching full and clean down to hocks.

HOCK - Moderately bent, (no cow hocks). Hind legs straight with body when viewed from behind.

TAIL - Attached slightly below back line, well rooted and tapering to moderate length, carried high, well coated, (no flag).

COAT - Medium coarse, laying close to body, smooth and glossy.

SIZE OF THE BLUETICK

The size of the Bluetick---Matured, should be average to large, as the breed have carried some excess size all through by-gone years, a Hound large enough to be his own protector.

APPEARANCE

Appearance of the Bluetick Hound should be that of a speedy, well muscled individual, straight up of racey type, not clumisely built, Body neat; coat glossy; head carried well up, but not goose necked; eyes clear and keen; tail carried gaily above back; with thick round padded feet. A companionable expression (not wild), active, ambitious, and speedy on trail.

VOICE

The Bluetick should be a free tounger on trail, of medium long Bawl or Bugle Voice when trailing, changing to a short Chop when running. Steady coarse Chop Voice at Tree.

COLOR

Preferred color of the Bluetick is dark Blue thickly mottled, spooted by various shaped black spots on body. Preference more blue than black on body. Head and ears predominating black. Tan dot over eyes, red ticking on feet and lower legs below body line. Tho the Red may be eliminated as to the desire of the breeder, as well as amount of black on heads and bodies. A majority of Blue mottled body preferred to lighter ticking over body. The amount of blue should control over the amount of white in the body coat.

BREEDING

Only recognized pedigreed and Registered bloodlines acceptable.

TEETH

Teeth even, no under or over-shot.

SCORING POINTS

HEAD 25 points, as Skull 5; Ears 5; Eyes 5; Muzzle 10.

BODY 35 points, as Neck 5; Chest and Shoulders 15; Back and Loins 15.

RUNNING GEARS 35 points, as Fore Legs 10; Hips, Thighs and Hind Legs 15; Feet 10.

COAT 3 points.

TAIL 2 points.

TOTAL 100.

Above Standard drawn by O.O.Grant, owner of the SEMYKENNEL, Willow Springs, MO.
Facsimular accepted by the United Kennel Club, Inc. in 1946.

* Flewed - deep mouth or hangin chops; ** Sanded - speckled, or as we term it "ticked"

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