what kind of dog is tennessee vols mascot

The Tennessee Vols mascot dog is a Bluetick Coonhound. This breed was selected as the live mascot in 1953 through a student body contest. The Bluetick Coonhound is native to Tennessee and was chosen for its appearance, temperament, and the qualities expected of a mascot hound dog. The current mascot, Smokey X, is a Bluetick Coonhound who debuted in 2013 and represents the tenth generation of Smokey dogs serving as the Vols mascot. Additionally, the Bluetick Coonhound was officially named the state dog breed of Tennessee in 2019, partly due to the mascot's popularity.