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Bluetick Coonhound vs Pharaoh Hound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

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The bottom line

Bluetick Coonhound vs Pharaoh Hound

You’re probably comparing a Bluetick Coonhound and a Pharaoh Hound because both are striking hounds with lean builds and high energy, but that’s where the similarities fade. One’s a Southern bay dog built for tracking through swamps, the other’s a desert sprinter with ancient roots and a smile that lights up a room. If you want a dog that bonds deeply and shows off a quirky, almost catlike affection, the Pharaoh Hound wins hands down. These dogs aren’t just smart, they’re emotionally intuitive, leaning into you when you’re sad and grinning with their whole body when happy. But they’re escape artists with a rabbit fixation. your backyard fence better be six feet and buried. The Bluetick? This dog lives to hunt. You’ll get devotion and smarts, yes, but wrapped in relentless drive and a voice that carries for miles. They’re not lap dogs, even if they sometimes think they are. Their baying isn’t occasional. it’s part of their job description. If you’re on 10 acres and love hunting or long trail hikes, they’re brilliant companions. But in a suburban yard? You’ll annoy neighbors and exhaust yourself. The real difference isn’t just energy or noise. It’s purpose. The Pharaoh Hound works by sight and speed, reacting in flashes. The Bluetick works by scent and stamina, locking in for hours. That shapes everything. how they train, how they focus, how they live with you. One thing the data won’t tell you: Blueticks can be stubbornly independent in training despite their intelligence, while Pharaohs are eager but easily distracted. Both need patient, consistent handlers, but for different reasons. If you want a partner in adventure who’ll curl up like a purring cat afterward, go Pharaoh. If you want a tough, tireless tracker with a deep bay and a loyal streak, the Bluetick’s your hound.

Bluetick Coonhound
Pharaoh Hound
21–27 in
Height
21–25 in
45–80 lb
Weight
45–55 lb
11–12 yr
Lifespan
12–14 yr
$0.8–2.0k
Puppy price
$1.8–4.0k
#130
AKC popularity
#172

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bluetick Coonhound Pharaoh Hound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Pharaoh Hound is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Pharaoh
Drooling Level
Pharaoh Hound drools less (1-point difference)
Pharaoh
Watchdog / Protective
Pharaoh Hound is more protective (1-point difference)
Pharaoh
Barking Level
Pharaoh Hound barks less (1-point difference)
Pharaoh
Mental Stimulation Needs
Pharaoh Hound needs more mental stimulation (1-point difference)
Pharaoh
The verdict

Choose the Bluetick Coonhound if…

  • Active people
  • Hunters
  • Rural homes
  • You value drooling levelBluetick Coonhound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Pharaoh Hound if…

  • Active families
  • Experienced sighthound owners
  • Warm climate dwellers
  • You value affectionate w/ familyPharaoh Hound scores higher here.
Bluetick Coonhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bluetick Coonhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Pharaoh Hound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Pharaoh Hound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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