Indian Pariah Dog vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison

The Indian pariah, known also as the Indi-dog or In-dog, is an ancient dog breed common throughout India as well as Bangladesh.

A breed standard does exist for the dog with the Indian Kennel Club and the dog has also been recognized by the Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Society.

A great dog enthusiast, Indian environmentalist, M Krishnan, has written about this ancient dog breed, telling about its wonderful temperament and its hardy constitution.

Bred to be hunting dogs, for a long time the Bluetick Coonhound was referred to as the English Coonhound.The Bluetick Coonhound is actually one of 6 recognized breeds of Coonhound, and they were all developed in the United States. In 1945, breeders broke away from their English counterparts, renaming the larger dog to Bluetick Coonhound.

Not much is known of their origins but it seems as though with selective breeding between French Hounds, Foxhounds and English Coonhounds, the Bluetick Coonhound was produced. Originating in the United States of America, it was in 2008 that he Bluetick Coonhound was recognized by the AKC in the Miscellaneous Class.

The Indian Pariah dog is a medium sized, lanky looking dog with the males and females standing at 46cm to 64cm in height and weighing roughly between 15 to 30kg.

These dogs aren't big eaters so they tend to be lean and muscular. This is a double coated dog with the hair being coarse and fawn in colour or reddish brown.

He has fairly large, erect ears and brown eyes. He has a long tail which is held down but when he is excited it is held high and over the back, curling at the tip. There is sometimes white around the face and chest.

Temperament:

The Pariah dog is a social dog but he is somewhat timid, even though they make excellent watch dogs, being territorial around their human family. Being territorial, he can have an aggressive side to him so it is wise to have him trained and socialized as then he is obedient and capable of getting on well with children in the home.

These dogs are also very intelligent and therefore easily trained. He is an active dog and likes to be kept busy, wanting to be participating in the activities of his human family.

This is a medium to large dog that sports a dark blue and white coat which is densely mottled or ticked. The Bluetick Coonhound’s coat can be described as tri-colored, and the dog’s head and ears are essentially black. He can also have tan markings on the chest, below the tail, around the muzzle and over the eyes. The dog is muscular and athletic and weighs from 25 to 36kg. Typically of the Hound breed, he has a sad but amicable expression on his face.

The Bluetick Coonhound is an intelligent dog and once he has been trained and socialized, he becomes a wonderful member of the family, getting on well with children and other pets He will need plenty of companionship from his human family as well as exercise, and isn’t a dog that you can just have stuck away in your back garden. A Bluetick needs plenty of companionship and activity to be happy.

Friendly and social, this is a vocal dog, given to baying, barking and howling. He’s a scenthound, so when you take him for a walk, which is essential for his exercise needs, you may need him on a leash as he can get scent of something and just be off. You’ll also need to ensure you have a fenced yard as he looks for ways to get out to follow a scent.

The Indian Pariah dog is just an ordinary dog looking to be a superb companion for you. These are dogs with no airs and graces and in fact they have lots of positive attributes about them.

They are just your ordinary, social dogs who are able to form strong, loyal friendships with their human owners. He is a faithful dog breed and he has had a long association with humans dating back to thousands of years. He is healthy and cheerful and he is just waiting for you to give him a chance so that he can show you what a cheerful, playful, devoted, wonderful friend he can be to you too.

The Bluetick Coonhound is an affectionate dog who will do well in the country, although he will adapt to city dwelling too. Wherever he is, he will need plenty of activities to keep him busy.

People living on smaller properties may have reservations about keeping one, as his bark is loud and long winded, whereas a larger property would accommodate this characteristic better.

Your Bluetick can make a wonderful pet if he is trained and socialized. He is just like a big teddy bear who wants to be part of the family and receive his full portion of love and care like everyone else.

This is a dog which can live to between 13 and 15 years of age when he is treated well.

These Indian Pariahs are a natural dog breed, and to this end they are free of genetic health concerns such as hip dysplasia which is a very common ailment with nearly all dogs.

Remember that every dog stands a good chance of picking up some life-threatening illnesses if not vaccinated against them. Some of these diseases to be concerned about are canine distemper and parvo-virus. Rabies, kennel cough and parasites such as fleas and ticks can also pose a real danger to your pet.

The Pariah has been around for a very long time and today he is a robust, low maintenance pet that isn't going to cost you a lot of money .

You won’t battle with too many vet’s fees for your Bluetick Coonhound as he is a healthy breed. Just like with other dogs, especially in larger dogs, watch out for hip and elbow dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia

If you do research you’ll find that quite a few Coonhounds can be affected. It is when the hip or elbow socket is malformed. Check your pet because it can lead to painful arthritis and can cause lameness.

Obesity

Typical of Hounds, your Bluetick Coonhounds loves to eat, and this is precisely why he is prone to over-eating if you allow him to. Watch your dog’s weight and don’t allow him to overeat as overeating suppresses the immune system, resulting in illness.

This is a low maintenance dog who also happens to shed little. A brush once or twice a week will be sufficient and it will keep the fur shiny and healthy.

General Care:

Your puppy will need to be vaccinated at 6 weeks of age. There are some veterinary clinics in India that offer free vaccine shots. Your puppy will be dewormed too. Make sure he has a nice dry, warm place to sleep, and for during the day, ensure that there is a shady spot for him too.

Diet:

It's always a good idea to try and feed your puppy the best food there is. If you visit a veterinary clinic, find out what the most appropriate food would be for your puppy and how often you should feed him during the day.

If you feed your adult Indian Pariah dog kibble and you're able to, try and add in some home-made food too such as cooked chicken or rice. Some raw meat added in from time to time will also do your dog the world of good. Make sure there is always a bowl of cool, clean water standing by.

Food

The puppy Bluetick will require 4 meals a day. Your adult Bluetick will require one or two bowls of food a day. This food can be your own home-made brand which includes rice, meat and vegetables or it should be a high quality commercially manufactured dog food. If you’re in any doubt as to what kind of dog food to be providing for your Bluetick Coonhound, rather speak to your vet as you want to ensure your pet is getting in his vitamins and minerals.

Good nutrition is essential to the health and wellbeing of your dog. It is important that he receive raw meat in his diet from time to time as well as a supplement with essential fatty acids to keep his health and skin in tip top condition. He should never ever be without a steady source of fresh, cool water.

Grooming

When it comes to grooming, an occasional brushing will suffice. The dog has a short coat but it is dense and it sheds throughout the year. Use a brush on him to get rid of loose hairs and to keep his coat soft and shiny.

Active Hound breeds are prone to ticks and fleas so check your dog regularly for these parasites.

The medium length floppy ears will need to be checked. You can always check with your veterinarian for ear cleaning products and how to use them. Never prod around in your dog’s ears, trying to clean them, as this can lead to damage.