Smokey, the live dog mascot from Tennessee, is a Bluetick Coonhound, specifically a Tennessee Bluetick Coonhound.

Smokey’s breed

  • Smokey has been the University of Tennessee’s live dog mascot since 1953, and every Smokey has been a bluetick coonhound.
  • The bluetick coonhound is a hound breed known for its mottled blue-and-black coat, keen nose, and strong hunting instincts.

Connection to Tennessee

  • Thanks in large part to Smokey’s popularity, the bluetick coonhound was officially named Tennessee’s state dog breed in 2019.
  • The dog portrayed as Smokey is often referred to as a “Tennessee bluetick coonhound” because the mascot line and the breed’s cultural roots are closely tied to the state.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.