When most people think of a typical beagle, the first image that comes to mind is usually a brown, tan, and white dog, also known as tri-color. But another color variation of the beagle is much rarer and in demand – the blue tick beagle.
The blue tick beagle is a purebred beagle color variation of the beagle. The beagle is a member of the scent hound group and looks similar to the foxhound but much smaller. The beagle was developed specifically for hunting hares, known as beagling.
This article will take a closer look at the blue tick beagle, including what makes this color variation unique.
A brief history of the beagle dog breed
The modern beagle 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.
Beagle at a glance;
- Height: Blue tick beagle size 13–16 in (33–41 cm)
- Weight: Dogs: 22–25 lb (10.0–11.3 kg) – Bitches: 20–23 lb (9.1–10.4 kg)
- Coat: Short-haired, hard coat of medium length
- Colour: Tricolor or white in combination with black & tan/brown or brown/tan
- Lifespan: Blue tick beagle lifespan is approximately 12-15 years
What is a blue tick beagle?
The bluetick beagle is a color variation of the purebred beagle. The ticking or mottled spots on their coat separate them from a regular tri-color. 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.
Black tan and bluetick beagle
The base color can be black, blue, or liver (a dark brown), and the ticks are usually white or silver/blue.
The coat of a bluetick beagle is unique in that it is not solid color like most other dogs but has these small flecks of blue over its body.
The AKC recognizes the bluetick beagle as a purebred beagle color variation.
What is beagle ticking?
The blue ticking color and pattern found on blue tick beagles, which is different from the typical Beagle tricolor coloring, is seen on top of the lighter base color of the Beagle coat giving it a speckled appearance with a blueish hue.
What does a blue tick beagle look like?
Appearance
Like a standard beagle, blue tick beagles have a compact, lean body, long tails (tipped with white), square muzzles, 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 dog 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 blue tick beagle needs to be kept active.
The beagle 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 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.
Color in Beagle Breeds
Beagles are a breed of small hound that is known for its distinctive tri-color coat, which consists of black, tan, and white markings. However, beagles can come in other colors, such as red and lemon. Some beagles may also have a blue tick coat, a coat pattern consisting of a blue-grey mottled pattern on a white background.
Blue tick beagles are considered purebred, meaning they conform to the breed standard and have a pedigree that can be traced back several generations. However, color is not a factor in determining whether a beagle is purebred, as purebred status is based on genetics and breed standards rather than coat color.
Which beagle colors are rarest?
Beagles can be found in 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 |
How much does a blue tick beagle puppy 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 no official beagles registry 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.
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 color variation of the beagle dog breed.
Hybrid beagle dogs
Hybrid Beagle dogs are breeds created by crossing a Beagle with another purebred dog. These hybrid breeds can have various characteristics, depending on the breed they are crossed with.
Some popular Beagle hybrids include the Beabull (a cross between a Beagle and a Bulldog) and the Beaglier (a cross between a Beagle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel).
Blue tick Beagles are a type of purebred Beagle with a specific coat pattern characterized by a blue-gray mottled pattern on a white background.
Blue tick Beagles are not a separate breed from regular Beagles but rather a breed variation recognized by some breed standards.
The Beagle is a popular breed in the United States due to its friendly and energetic nature. Hybrid Beagle breeds may also inherit these traits, making them suitable pets for families with children. It’s important to remember that hybrid breeds may also inherit traits from the other breed they are crossed with, so it’s essential to research the characteristics of both breeds before choosing a hybrid Beagle dog.
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.
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 known breeders and ask to be alerted if and when puppies become available.
Below are a selection of reputable blue tick beagle breeders;
- Scrogham’s Blue Beagle Kennel
- Wolfe Creek Beagles
- Bracken County Blueticks Breeder
- Leo’s Bluetick Beagles
- Oak Hill Bluetick Beagles
How to find blue tick beagle breeders?
if you are looking for blue tick beagle puppies, include contacting local breeders, attending dog shows, and asking for referrals.
A great place to start is the American Kennel Club website which lists breeders by region.
When buying a puppy, ensure you are only dealing with a reputable breeder with the best interests of the puppies and their parents at heart.
Avoid puppy farms or pet shops, as these places rarely prioritize animal welfare.
Always see littermates and both parents to ensure your new dog is healthy and happy, as this tells you a lot about the breeder.
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, rescuing a dog is always worthwhile.
It’s always worth calling around the local rescue centers to enquire; you never know what you may find, and the beagles in shelters would be grateful for a loving home.
Top tip – Don’t ignore beagle blue tick mixes as they also make great family pets.
Are blue tick beagles the same as the blue tick coonhound?
No, 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 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.
Are bluetick hounds cuddly?
The beagle has a great temperament and makes an ideal hunting companion and a loyal family dog. These adorable hound dogs love to cuddle!
Do blue merle beagles exist?
The dapple gene or “merle” gene does not exist in the Beagle color genetic pattern. This means that there are no Beagles with this color pattern. I have not seen or heard of any Beagles with this color pattern from any other breeders, and it is not an accepted color pattern for Beagles in any registry.
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 purebred.
Although they are not as common as other beagle colors, blue tick beagle puppies 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 research to prepare for the care and responsibility of owning any dog.
