The Blue Tick Beagle is a small dog used for hunting with unusual mismatched greyish to bluish blotches all over his white markings. The unusual appearance of this special Beagle compared to the regular ones is clearly not a result of faulty breeding. Both types of Beagles fall under the same breed recognition only that the Blue Beagle’s genetics have altered the appearance of his coat.
The hype behind this simply roots down to his oddity and uniqueness. Surely, you wouldn’t see a dog like this every day unless you get one for your family!
Photo from: skakunlivefitness (IG)For those who have not heard more or haven’t seen the bluish scenthound yet, this article is going to introduce this controversial yet interesting version of the Beagle breed.
The Appearance of the Blue Tick Beagle
Oftentimes, a Blue Tick Beagle might be mistaken with the Blue Tick Coonhound and that’s understandable. Both of these dogs have very similar looks which can be confusing to many. Thanks to their sizes, however, the Beagle can now be easily spotted from the other as he is smaller.
Photo from: matthewjennings (IG)To quickly grasp the concept of the blue ticked dog, simply remember that he is just the same as the regular Beagle. The only striking difference is that this pooch has multiple ticks all over him which can either be speckled in bluish or grayish appearance. In rare events, he can have blue eyes only if his parents contain recessive genes which can cause this to happen.
The odd blue markings that scatter around his body are caused by the black ticking in a white background which then results in a navy blue impression. These patterns are dispersed in various shapes in areas such as his legs, stomach, tail, and chest. This event could happen in other dog breeds as well, but it doesn’t occur very often.
Height and Weight
The Blue Tick Beagle can be anywhere between 13 inches below to 15 inches in height depending on whether it’s a male or female. The weight will have to ideally complement his measurement at withers. In certain instances, your Beagle can be slightly greater than the standard size.
The Temperament of a Blue Tick Beagle
Normally, the Blue Tick Beagle loves to have company whether it be other dogs and pets or humans. He has a pack mentality which makes him very sociable, open to forming new relationships, and also extremely prone to separation anxiety.
He can be brought regularly to doggy daycare to avoid destructive behaviors such as barking, disobedience, and rowdiness. After just a few moments in playing with other dogs, you’ll notice him becoming the life of the party!
This Beagle loves attention, he would strive to entertain his spectators any time of the day. He is full of silly mischief and he can play for hours. A different side of him may show which is being very driven and competitive against other dogs only if an activity involves food and treats.
Photo from: a_beagle_named_judy (IG)When it comes to his owner, a Beagle might be a little protective. His loyalty is so intense that he wouldn’t be compromising when an unfamiliar person gets near anyone in his family. His remarkable barkings and howls will surely be heard all over the house which is a good indicator that something needs to be checked or that owners should be alert of something. In some cases, however, he will just get vocal to get your attention or simply out of excitement over something.
Is a Blue Tick Beagle Purebred?
Very much so! Just because the ticked Beagle isn’t something you would commonly see, doesn’t mean he is an outcome of a flawed breeding process. Major kennel clubs including the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognize his appearance so you can definitely sigh in relief if you happen to have one at home.
Usually, the markings start to appear the moment the Beagle puppy reaches three weeks of age. Moreover, the reason why Blue Ticked Beagle pups are purebred is that they come from purebred Beagles! The marked coat only happens due to a slight error or mutation in the allele which prohibits its coat from getting expressed conventionally.
Health Problems Found in Blue Tick Beagles
On average, blue Ticked Beagles enjoy at least 10 to 15 years of age. Unfortunately, there are various health issues they might face in the course of their lives depending on the quality of their lifestyle. Particularly, the common complications found on this breed are:
- Hypothyroidism
- Meningitis
- Hip dysplasia
- Seizures
- Glaucoma
- Patellar luxation
- Cherry eye
Most of these can be treated provided you religiously bring him to the vet. The doctor would be able to prescribe medications to prevent conditions from worsening and to guarantee the little pooch the same high-quality of life despite these concerns.
How to Take Care Of Your Blue Tick Beagle
If you are thinking of getting yourself this type of Beagle, you might as well learn how to take care of him. The great thing about getting this dog breed is that he’s 100% low-maintenance. Putting into consideration his unique appearance, here’s a few things you should know when it comes to taking care of this Beagle.
Grooming
Ready your hound glove or rubber mitt and gently brush his coat twice a week to maintain the vibrancy of his coat and the health of his skin. The more frequent the shedding would mean increased periodic strokes to lessen the amount of hair fall.
As you would do with any other dog breeds, maintain the right length of his nails. Check other areas as well such as the teeth to prevent gum disease and buildup of tartar, ears for infection or excess wax buildup, and anal glands.
It is truly helpful to socialize your Blue Tick Beagle on these procedures during puppyhood so they would be accustomed right away. If not, it can be quite difficult to incorporate routines without inflicting fear and anxiety on your pet.
Exercise
The Blue Ticked Beagle would need at least an hour of exercise daily. His strong sense of smell, as he is a scenthound, can bring him almost anywhere! Walking outside in open areas must be done with a leash on to keep him from wandering off. His nose has over 220 million receptors granting him the ability to pick up around 50 different odors which he can easily differentiate.
Photo from: shelbzthebeagle (IG)You can also let him go off on his own in a deeply fenced area so he can run free and chase other dogs. Who wouldn’t want liberty when you are filled with pent-up energy, right? Let him race with his mates and burn some energy while you relax under the sun, witnessing them gallop and have fun.
Letting him get exposed to other dogs also allows him to have socialization training in a more subtle way. Naturally friendly, you wouldn’t have many worries about your Beagle meeting other canines. You’re more likely to be concerned about how other dogs would react toward him, so monitoring is still essential.
Food
Blue Ticked Beagles do well with high-quality dry kibbles. They are notorious for being non-picky eaters which makes them vulnerable to excess weight gain or obesity. They would eat anything you give them and they would finish meals very quickly! Unless your Beagle knows how to control himself and remains active, he can’t be given free access to food.
The best times to feed him are once in the morning and once in the evening. The amount should vary depending on his age, health status, and activity level. In cases when you need to give him a change in diet, do so in a gradual manner especially if he’s still a puppy. Shocking his guts with food that contains unfamiliar ingredients can upset the stomach.
Are Blue Tick Beagles Rare?
Apparently, they are! Beagles of this color are mainly not intentionally bred to achieve this type of coat appearance. Rather, the bluish spots that cover his body are only due to the accidental presence of the T locus gene. You are lucky if you happen to own a Blue Tick Beagle.
Since he is not a common sight, expect that on your regular walking trips outside with your Beagle, he’ll garner attention from passersby because of his unusual coat coloration.
Can Blue Tick Beagles Be of Show Quality?
Yes, of course. His coat and markings are widely accepted in major groups and organizations. Provided he has all the ideal physical characteristics set in the breed standards including his registration papers and other requirements needed from a contestant, your Blue Tick Hound can compete in dog shows.
How Much Does a Blue Tick Beagle Cost?
Generally, getting a Blue Tick Beagle puppy can cost you around $400 to $1000 depending on where you get him from. Reputable breeders will give you a fair rate without putting the “rarity” of color as a price factor. Backyard breeders, however, would most likely take advantage by giving you a more expensive price tag for a Blue Beagle and entice you with the dog’s exotic and unusual look.
Photo from:shpadoinkle_the_beagle (IG)On a different note, Beagles that have a superior lineage will be more costly. Others would charge as high as $1500 or more.
Adoption centers would be the cheaper and humane option when it comes to getting a pet. Normally, they would only charge you $300 just to cover the expenses for the cost of taking care of the Beagle pup prior to adoption. Obviously, this will vary depending on the cost of living in the city where the shelter is located.
Places to Get a Blue Tick Beagle
Looking for places to get this Beagle pup is made easier for you. Simply check out these sites and who knows, you might just find the perfect furry friend that you’ve been looking for:
Do the characteristics of a Blue Beagle ‘tick’ all the boxes for you? Well, who wouldn’t be urged to get a Beagle like this one? He is unique, loyal, friendly, and fun! All the great traits of the amazing Beagle breed are the same ones the Blue Tick Beagle has- only that he comes in a different image!
