General Appearance
Strong, deep chested and sturdy with a houndy expression and longish ears, the Bluetick combines power with agility and endurance. An intelligent, cold-nose, honest hunter that trees hard and long, his overall aspect is kind and self-assured.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size-Height - Males - 24 to 30 inches at the withers. Females - 23 to 28 inches at the withers. Disqualification: Undersized. Proportion-Somewhat rectangular. Length slightly longer than height. Substance-Weight - Males- 55 to 100 pounds. Females- 45 to 85 pounds.
Head
Expression-Pleasantly pleading. Eyes-Almost round, dark brown. Fault: Deep set. Disqualification: Light colored eyes. Lids-Firm and close. Fault: Sagging lids. Ears - Set below top of skull. Thin and tapered at ends. Extend almost to end of nose when drawn out. No erectile motion. Skull-Domed and broad between the ears. Muzzle-Square, well proportioned with the width of the skull. Bite-Scissors. Fault: Overshot or undershot.
Neck, Topline and Body
The neck is muscular with minimum dewlap. In proportion to body length. The topline is higher at the withers than at hips. Chest-Large, very deep. Girth for adult males - 26 to 35 inches. Adult females - 23 to 32 inches. Ribs-Well sprung with good depth. Tapered gradually to floating ribs. Back-Moderate length, muscular. Fault: Swayed or roached. Loins-Muscular, broad, slightly arched. Fault: Narrowness at loins. Tail-Medium length, attached slightly below the back line, carried high in a sabre-like curve. Well coated. Fault: Plume or rat tail.
Forequarters
Shoulders-Powerfully constructed, muscular, gradually tapering down from withers, free moving. Forelegs-Straight, muscular, with a strong, straight pastern. Appear straight from either side or front view. Feet-Deep padded, round, arched toes, cat-like when standing.
Hindquarters
Legs-Hind legs appear straight when viewed from behind, turning neither in nor out. Thighs-Upper and lower thighs muscled, curved at stifle, gradually tapering down hocks. Hock Joints-moderately bent. Fault: Excessively bent at hock joints. Hocks-Firm. Fault: Hind dewclaws.
Coat
Medium coarse, rather short, laying close to the body. Smooth and glossy.
Color
Dark blue, mottled, spotted by various shaped black spots on back, ears and side. More blue than black is preferred. Tan dots over eyes and on cheeks with dark red ticking on feet, lower legs below body line, chest and below tail. Absence of tan on head and body and absence of black spots are permissible. Blue ticking should dominate over white in the body coat. Disqualification: Off colors.
Gait
Steady, determined, ground-covering stride, exhibiting reach and drive.
Temperament
Intelligent, pleasing. An equally fine companion for a day at home or a night of hunting.
Disqualifications
Undersized, light-colored eyes, off colors.
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