When most people think of beagles, the first image that comes to mind is usually a brown, tan, and white dog with soft floppy ears. But another color variation of the beagle is much rarer – the blue tick beagle.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the blue tick beagle, including what makes this color variation so unique.
A brief history of the beagle dog breed
It is thought that the modern beagle breed was bred in the United Kingdom from various breeds, including the Talbot Hound, North County Beagle, Southern Hound, and likely the Harrier, and was bred for hunting small animals such as rabbits.
The beagle is a friendly dog with a kind nature with a compact, muscular, lean body with a long tail tipped with white and a keen sense of smell, ideal for hunting.
It has a square muzzle, large expressive brown eyes, and long soft floppy ears.
The modern-day beagle would still make an excellent hunting companion and is still used for hunting small-sized animals such as rabbits.
Beagles are also used as a detection dog, in law enforcement agencies, due to its keen sense of smell.
The beagle is a purebred hound dog registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) as part of the Hound Group.
The top coat appearance is smooth, shiny, easy to care for, and typically tricolor or black/white/tan.
Beagles do not have a single color or a single block coat color. Instead, their coat colors are made up of two or three colors, such as black on the back and saddle, with a brown head and white belly.
What is a blue tick beagle?
The blue tick beagle is a regular purebred beagle. The ticking or mottled spots on their coat separate them from a regular tri-color. The blue ticking is a genetic mutation that occurs in some beagles.
The ticking results from dark-colored hairs interspersed with white hairs, which gives the dog’s coat a speckled appearance.
Bluetick beagles have rare beagle color coat coloration for a beagle that features blue ticks or flecks over its base color.
The base color can either be black, blue, or liver (a dark brown), and the ticks are usually white or silver/blue in color.
The coat of a blue tick beagle is unique in that it is not solid color like most other dogs, but rather has these small flecks of blue over its body.
The AKC recognizes the beagle blue tick hound as a purebred beagle color variation.
What does a full-grown blue tick beagle dog look like?
Like a standard beagle, blue tick beagles have a compact, lean body, long tail (tipped with white), square muzzle, large brown eyes, and long floppy ears.
Beagles may have small flecks or spots on the white portions of their bodies.
A ticked or mottled beagle is a color variety of beagle. The white part of a blue ticked beagle has black or blue flecks, hence the name.
Blue tick beagle temperament and personality
The word “blue tick” is just used to distinguish the color of this purebred dog breed, and as such blue tick beagles act just like other beagles.
Like all beagles, a bluetick beagle needs to be kept active.
The beagle breed likes to examine and explore at will, tracking a scent or determinedly pursuing a target.
Beagles are clever, but because they have been bred for the long chase, they are single-minded and stubborn, making training challenging.
The beagle breed can be challenging to recall once they have picked up a scent and are effortlessly distracted by smells.
Bluetick beagles have very few inherent health problems but can suffer from cherry eye and separation anxiety if left for long periods by themselves.
What do blue tick beagle puppies look like?
Much like all beagles, blue tick beagles are super cute, but don’t let those big brown eyes fool you!
Like all beagles, they can be stubborn and wilful, but this just adds to the overall attraction of the breed.
How much does a blue tick beagle cost?
Depending on pedigree, coloring, and pattern, a blue tick beagle can cost anything from $800 to $2000 from a reputable breeder.
Is a blue tick beagle rare?
There is no definitive answer to this question since there is no official registry for Beagles that tracks coat colors. However, blue ticks are not commonly seen in Beagle litters, so they may be considered rarer than other color variations.
They may also command a higher price tag due to their unique coloring. If you are interested in purchasing a blue tick Beagle, be prepared to pay a premium price.
What is the rarest color of beagle?
Beagles can be found in a variety of 25 color combinations and 10 distinct hues, according to the AKC.
| Color Combination | Rarity |
|---|---|
| Black – Tan | Common |
| Black – Red -White | Common |
| Black – Tan -Bluetick | Common |
| Black – Tan -White | Common |
| Black – White – Tan | Common |
| Blue – Tan – White | Common |
| Brown – White | Common |
| Brown – White – Tan | Common |
| Lemon – White | Common |
| Red – White | Common |
| Tan – White | Common |
| Black | Very Rare |
| Black – White | Rare |
| Black – Fawn – White | Common |
| Black – Tan – Redtick | Rare |
| Blue | Very Rare |
| Blue – White | Very Rare |
| Brown | Rare |
| Lemon | Rare |
| Red | Very Rare |
| Red – Black | Rare |
| Red – Black – White | Rare |
| Tan | Very Rare |
| White | Very Rare |
| White – Black – Tan | Common |
Are blue tick beagles purebred?
A blue tick beagle is a variation of the beagle breed and, as such, is classed as a purebred beagle.
All clubs, including the American Kennel Club, United Kennel Club, Canadian Kennel Club, and National Beagle Club, recognize the blue tick beagle as a purebred beagle color variation.
FAQs
How big do beagles get?
A beagle can weigh anywhere from 18 to 35 pounds.
How big are blue tick beagles?
A typical beagle, including the blue tick variation, is between 13 and 16 inches high at the withers. Read about how big a standard beagle is.
What is the best food for a beagle puppy?
Try to keep your bluetick beagle puppy on the same food the breeder gave them.
Reputable blue tick beagle breeders will likely have given the puppy a quality kibble and would be more than happy to advise you on what type of diet to feed your bluetick beagle puppy as they become adult dogs.
A quality kibble and raw diet are the most popular types of food to give a beagle.
How many times a day should you feed a beagle?
Most owners feed their blue tick beagles twice a day, morning and afternoon. Try to stick to regular feeding times for a consistent routine.
Where to find blue tick beagle puppies for sale
Finding a puppy for sale may not be easy. Most reputable breeders will have waiting lists for their puppies and rarely advertise puppies for sale. The best option is to build relationships with the known breeders and ask to be alerted if and when puppies become available.
Where to find rescue blue tick beagles
Finding a blue tick hound in rescue centers could be tricky due to how rare blue tick beagles are and how popular they are as family pets. However, as rescuing a dog is always worthwhile, it is always worth calling around the local rescue centers to enquire; you never know what you may find!
Are blue tick beagles the same as the blue tick coonhound?
The blue tick hound is not the second cousin twice removed of the bluetick coonhound. I say this in jest, but the blue tick beagle is often mistaken with, and vice versa, for the blue tick coonhound. Although they have similar-sounding names, they are indeed a separate dog breed and in no way related (by blood, marriage, or otherwise!).
How many types of Beagles are there?
The AKC recognizes only two types of Beagles: Beagles that are 13-15 inches tall and Beagles that are under 13 inches tall. However, there are many different color variations within the Beagle breed.
What is a red tick beagle?
A red tick beagle is similar to the bluetick beagle, which is also a separate color standardization of the beagle breed, and it’s sought after by both the dog owner and beagle dog breeders alike.
What is a pocket beagle?
A pocket beagle is a small-sized dog. Miniature breeds of beagle-type dogs were known from the times of Edward II and Henry VII, who both had packs of Glove Beagles, so named since they were small enough to fit on a glove, and Queen Elizabeth I kept a breed known as a Pocket Beagle, which stood 8 to 9 inches at the shoulder.
Are beagle mixes popular?
Beagle pug mixes are becoming increasingly popular. This is likely because pugs are adorable, and beagles are known for being friendly and good with kids. Beagle pug mixes make the perfect family pet. They are playful and loving, and they always bring a smile to everyone’s face. If you’re looking for a furry friend who will make your home feel complete, a beagle pug mix is a perfect choice.
Summary
The Blue Tick Beagle is a beautiful and popular variation of the Beagle dog breed. All major dog clubs and associations recognize the Blue Tick Beagle as a purebred dog. Although they are not as common as other beagle colors, they are still relatively easy to find if you know where to look. If you are thinking of adding a Beagle to your family, be sure to do your research to prepare for the care and responsibility of owning any dog.
