Bluetick Beagle is originated from United Kingdom but Hokkaido is originated from Japan. Bluetick Beagle may grow 10 cm / 3 inches shorter than Hokkaido. Bluetick Beagle may weigh 37 kg / 81 pounds lesser than Hokkaido. Both Bluetick Beagle and Hokkaido has same life span. Both Bluetick Beagle and Hokkaido has almost same litter size. Bluetick Beagle requires Low Maintenance. But Hokkaido requires Moderate Maintenance
Among the hound group of dogs, there are some ancient breeds. The history of the Beagle and the Bluetick Beagle more specifically is fairly uncertain as breeds as we know them today didn't really develop until the 19th century. It was in the mid-1800s the Reverend Phillip Honeywood established Beagles in Essex, England and American breeders started importing Beagles from England to improve the looks of their own dogs. The breed was developed from a number of breeds and possibly the Bluetick Coonhound had some input into the markings of the Bluetick Beagle.
Today the American Kennel Club recognizes many colors and color combinations in Beagles. with white, tan and black being the more common color. Beagles can also sport ‘markings’ such as blue and red freckles or ticks. If there are black ticks, it can be referred to as blue-ticked.
The Hokkaido breed originates in Japan and is also called Ainu-ken, Ainu dog, Seta or Do-ken. The last being its common name in Japan. It is believed that the Hokkaido is descendent from the Japanese Matagi-ken, meaning hunting dog, deer hunting dog or bear hunting dog. It was the Ainu peoples that brought the breed to Tohoku. Many years later the Yayoi people brought in another breed of hunting dogs. These breeds were in isolation for most of their existence and therefore they had little influence on the further development of other breeds.
The Ainu dog was used in searches as well as hunting and became in 1937 “a rare species in Japan that is protected by law”. At that time the Official Name of the breed was set in place as Hokkaido-Inu. But they are still called Hokkaid0-Ken by most Japanese people.
This is a very rare breed of dog. It is hardly known outside of Japan and in country there are about ten to twelve thousand remaining. Of those about nine hundred to one thousand are registered in Japan every year. It is guessed that less than thirty exist outside Japan.
The Hokkaido breed is the oldest Japanese breed of dogs. Today they are great indoor companions, loyal and friendly. Most people in Japan still call them the Ainu dog.
The Bluetick Beagle is a small sized hunting dog. As part of the Hound group of dogs, he has an excellent sense of smell. He has always been used as a hunting dog, and it is why this particular dog is a popular choice for law enforcement agencies – it’s that keen sense of smell.
He is lean and compact with muscular legs, a broad head, fairly long floppy ears and a broad chest. His coat is short-haired and smooth and its the short blue coloration in his coat sets the Bluetick Beagle apart from the regular Beagle.
The Blue Tick Beagle can have a bit of a stubborn streak, but be that as it may, he still responds well to training and socialization. Alert, he has an amicable nature, and this is what makes this breed such a great family pet He’ll get on well with children in the house as well as with other pets.
The Blue Tick Beagle isn’t an aggressive dog breed. He is lively and playful and full of energy and will require you taking him on walks, runs in the park and lots of games at home.
He loves the companionship of his human family and can’t just be left in the back yard on his own for long periods of time. He can suffer with separation anxiety and also become bored and then he starts with long, mournful howls.
The Hokkaido breed is medium in size but very strong in build. Dogs bred outside Japan tend to be smaller. They have wide, deep chests, and long thick coats compared with Japanese dogs from other breeds. It is a double coat of long fur on top and short softer fur underneath for the second coat. Their ears are triangular and small while their eyes have a triangle outline. The double coat could be sesame, white, red, black, black and tan and wolf-gray.
They are an intelligent breed with an impulsive gait. They are alert, courageous and suspicious. They were used for guarding the city gates. Their skull is flat and broad and the tongue, like the chow chow, is blueish. black. With a black nose and a wedge shaped muzzle, the Hokkaido is a handsome dog. His lips are with black and tight. High set, thick tail over the back or slightly curved to the side.
Your Blue Tick beagle is an active, cheerful dog and he makes a good companion for adult or child. He is fairly adaptable and can happily fit into a home in the city- or country. A Blue Tick Beagle doesn’t want to be left alone day after day, so think about your work commitments before you buy buy your Blue Tick and leave him alone.
Being a hound, although he is gentle and amicable, he can also be stubborn which means he will require some patient training. Because he is a scenthound, he is inclined to catch an aroma and want to go after it, so you’ll need a well fenced garden to keep him in.
Other than that when he is with you, he makes a dedicated and loving companion.
Beagles are healthy dog breeds, and with good care, can enjoy an average lifespan of between 12-15 years. Like many other dogs, the Blue Tick beagle is more prone to a number of medical conditions, and more so as it ages. It is essentially a hardy breed that won’t require any particular special care, but common dog problems such as hip dysplasia and skin allergies will need to be watched.
There are always some health concerns with every dog breed that every dog owner needs to be aware of. Dog with floppy ears such as what the Blue Tick Beagle has will always be prone to ear infections. The ears will need to be kept clean but you can’t just go prodding around in a dog’s ear as you could damage the ears. A visit to the veterinarian will clear up any ear problems.
This particular condition - prolapse of the gland of the nictitating membrane – is important to clear up quickly as it could lead to more serious problems. The longer the third eyelid gland is problematic, the more irritated and inflamed it becomes.
Often breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.
1/3 of all dogs have it while 2/3 are carriers. This disease is congenital and there is no cure. It affects the sclera, retina and choroid. It can be mild or it can cause blindness.
Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.
Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.
Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.
Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.
Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.
A good, nutritious diet will help your Blue Tick Beagle steer clear of ill health. He is an energetic breed so will require either home prepared food or commercially manufactured dog food with the right mix of vitamins and minerals to keep his energy levels up.
As mentioned, your BlueTick can be prone to hip dysplasia and skin allergies so a supplement which includes omega 3 is an excellent choice for your dog’s overall health. Make sure to include some raw meat into your dog’s diet and always ensure a constant supply of fresh water.
Your Bluetick Beagle isn’t a huge shedder with his short-haired coat, but he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep his coat in tip-top condition and to remove all those loose hairs. Bathing a dog is never encouraged as it removes the dogs natural oils, but of course there are always exceptions when a dog will require a bath.
The puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day
The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.
Strong, stamina
These dogs love exercise and definitely need it. They will get to be anxious or bored if they don’t get enough exercise. A back yard run is fine but remember that the Hokkaido is a jumper and make sure your fence is at least six feet high. They need daily walks even if you have a fenced yard. Martindale collars or harnesses are needed when walking them.
These dogs love games and competitive activities. They are good at hunting and guarding of course. There are other activities they can excel at and enjoy jogging, biking with you, and hiking. In competition they enjoy and are good at agility, flyball, lure coursing, rally, weight pull, dock diving, and obedience. They do not participate in confirmation.