Pros and Cons of Owning a Bluetick Coonhound Lab Mix

Lab hound mixes have gained some serious buzz in the last few years. It’s easy to see why. With the friendly, smart nature of the hound and the hardworking and affectionate attitude of the lab, how can you not fall in love with their offspring? This is a delightful pet to have around the home. He is bound to put tons of smiles on your face and plant millions of kisses on your cheeks for as long as he lives. Like all other breeds, this designer dog comes with its own pros and cons. In this guide, we reveal both the good and the bad of owning a Bluetick Coonhound Lab mix.

Appearance of the Bluetick Coonhound Lab mix

This hybrid dog is a mix between the Labrador Retriever and the Bluetick Coonhound. The lab stands at a height of 22-25 inches at the shoulder and weighs 65-80 pounds. The Bluetick Coonhound, on the other hand, is 21-27 inches tall and weighs 45-80 pounds. The mix falls in the medium-large size category. He can take after the hound’s dark blue coat with black ears and possible tan markings on the body or the lab’s chocolate/yellow/black coat. The coat is short, sleek, and shiny or short, thick, and straight. He has long droopy ears, a sweet expression on his face, and big paws.

Pros

Here’s a list of the advantages of the coonhound lab mix.

1. Excellent Working Dog

Labs have been around since the early 1700s. History records them helping fishermen with their duties back then. They would retrieve fish escaping from the hooks, haul nets, and fetch ropes. In the evening, they would make their way back home with the fishermen. Now, labs hunt game alongside their owners, take part in dog shows, act as assistance dogs, and do search and rescue operations. Of course, they also don’t mind being pampered by humans all day but they are great working dogs. The Coonhound is also a hardworking breed perfect for hunting small game. The mix certainly makes a wonderful working dog. If you desire one at home or during the hunt, this designer mutt won’t disappoint.

2. Perfect Companion

Despite being a hunting powerhouse, the Bluetick Coonhound Lab mix is a true companion. He bears a friendly and loyal disposition. The Labrador retriever has a reputation for being friendly. It has been said that this breed is so friendly that when a stranger walks into the house, he will be the first to greet them and show them where the possessions are stored.  He loves everyone—humans, kids, pets, and all with a deep level of affection. The other parent, the hound, also gets along with kids, pets, and adult humans and loves to spend his days hanging out with his owners. Naturally, the mix will possess these amazing traits.

3. Trainability

The third advantage of owning this mix is that he’s easy to train. This is a very intelligent and alert dog. Picking up new skills fast comes naturally to him. He’s very active and curious. Keep the training sessions short and sweet otherwise your pooch might get bored and start chasing after small game. Offer the right number of treats and countless praises. He thrives in positive reinforcement. All in all, you will absolutely love training this mix.

4.  Less Grooming Needs

A Lab Coonhound mix features a short coat that sheds moderately. Most of these hybrid dogs feature a short shiny coat like that of the Coonhound. That means grooming is a breeze. Please note that he sheds seasonally so you might want to arm yourself with a good vacuum cleaner. Also, brushing the coat once a week will keep the coat looking neat and tidy. In rare cases, the mix can feature the lab’s short and dense coat that tends to shed a lot. In this case, grooming needs will go up. Vacuuming and regular coat brushing will then be important. The rest of the grooming such as giving baths, trimming the nails, and cleaning his teeth are similar to other dog breeds.

Cons

1. High Energy

First and foremost, the Bluetick Coonhound Lab mix needs a lot of physical activity for optimal health and happiness. This is not the kind of dog that will get by lounging around all day. On the contrary, he needs to be up for the better part of it. He needs to play, run, and flex his muscles. 60 minutes of exercise per day is the bare minimum. More would be good for him. Bring him with you when you take hikes, go on long walks, and runs. Play a game of Frisbee or fetch with him during the weekend. If you have a big yard, let him loose when you are not home. He will love running from one end of the compound to another.

2. Barking

If you don’t fancy owning a dog that barks, this is not the mix for you. No doubt, the hound/lab mix doesn’t seem to know how to shut his mouth. People that live in apartments can easily run into trouble with neighbors because of the incessant barking. Whether he’s happy or sad, expect your pup to be very vocal. Obviously, training will help curb the behavior to a certain extent but it can only do so much.

3. Health Issues

Granted, health is more individualistic than it is a generalized idea. However, there are certain breeds that tend to be at high risk for certain health complications. This mix can inherit some of the issues from his parents. The lab is prone to obesity, luxating patella, and elbow dysplasia. The hound dog, on the other hand, suffers from hip dysplasia, ear infections, and bloat. To be safe, use a reputable breeder with the proper health clearances.

Final Thoughts

There it is; the pros and cons of owning a Bluetick Coonhound Lab mix. In short, this is an adorable, affectionate dog to have. He blends in with the family and makes a great member. If you can accord him the high energy requirements and tolerate the barking, you will have yourself a sweet companion.

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