Bloodhounds can trace their roots to medieval Europe. The first record of a bloodhound being called by that name was in 1350. The “blood” in the name does not come from its hunting ability, but from its aristocratic status. The bloodhound maintained its popularity for centuries. The first of the breed found in America was brought over with the pilgrims. Unfortunately, the breed was used to hunt runaway slaves and developed the reputation as a vicious dog. This could not be further from the truth. Bloodhounds of today are gentle but intelligent creatures. They thrive on companionship of humans and other animals. They are widely used as search and rescue dogs, putting their tracking abilities to good use. The dog is also popular among families, falling in at number 45 of 155 registered dog breeds.
The Bloodhound was bred to trail and track, it’s therefore built for endurance and once on a trail it’s almost impossible to call it off. It has large ears and pronounced wrinkles on its face. This dog breed has a short, glossy coat and is known to stick its tail up if on a trail. It only sheds little hair, but its ears need regular checking. It also drools a lot and its facial wrinkles should be cleaned everyday.
Personality
This is a calm and gentle dog and is among the most patient dogs breeds. The bloodhound is very good with children but perhaps not playful enough due to its low energy and mellowness. Even though they are sometimes portrayed as lethargic or lazy, Bloodhounds are active and need moderate exercise in safe areas where they are unlikely to pick up scents or start trailing. They are obedient and reliable but tend to be reserved with strangers.
Breed Characteristics
| Type: | Pure |
| Family: | Scenthound |
| Function: | Working |
| Origin: | Europe |
| Preferred Climate: | Any Climate |
| Group: | Hounds |
| Life Span: | 8-10 Years |
| Nicknames: | No nicknames known |
| Hypoallergenic: | No |
Bloodhound Build Information
The Bloodhound was bred to trail and track, it’s therefore built for endurance and once on a trail it’s almost impossible to call it off. It has large ears and pronounced wrinkles on its face. This dog breed has a short, glossy coat and is known to stick its tail up if on a trail. It only sheds little hair, but its ears need regular checking. It also drools a lot and its facial wrinkles should be cleaned everyday.
| Size: | Large |
| Length (Male): | 22-27 in. |
| Length (Female): | 22-24 in. |
| Weight: | > 65 lbs |
| Litter Size: | 5 – 10 Puppies |
| Tail Dock or Crop: | No |
Behaviour and Personality
This is a calm and gentle dog and is among the most patient dogs breeds. The bloodhound is very good with children but perhaps not playful enough due to its low energy and mellowness. Even though they are sometimes portrayed as lethargic or lazy, Bloodhounds are active and need moderate exercise in safe areas where they are unlikely to pick up scents or start trailing. They are obedient and reliable but tend to be reserved with strangers.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Very Affectionate |
| Aggressiveness Level: | Moderate |
| Barking: | Noisy |
| Dominating or Submissive?: | Submissive |
| Energy Level: | Moderately Active |
| Good to Other Pets: | Moderate Friendly |
| Guardian Skills: | No |
| Independant: | Yes |
| Kid Friendliness: | Moderate Friendly |
Appearance
The good news is that the bloodhound does not need professional grooming. The bad news is that the bloodhound, like other scent hounds, has an oil in its skin that causes it to smell bad quickly. Get your bloodhound used to bathing when it is a puppy. You will need to bathe your dog frequently if you want to keep the hound smell off of your furniture. Because of its long, pendulous ears, the bloodhound is prone to ear infections. Ask your veterinarian for a good cleanser that you can use weekly. Bloodhounds also tend to grow their nails quickly. Keep them trimmed to prevent foot injury. Be sure to keep a towel with you to wipe away excess drool and slobber.
| Colors: | Black & Tan, Liver, Red |
| Shedding: | None |
| Grooming: | Medium Maintenance |
| Coat Type: | Rough |
Bloodhound Common Health Conditions
Bloodhounds are prone to specific health conditions. These include hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, ectropian, entropian, epilepsy, and gastric torsion. Purchase a puppy from a reputable breeder who has health tested both the sire and dam to ensure that your puppy has the lowest risk of developing these conditions.
Bloodhound Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Bloodhounds shed and slobber. The breed needs to have a fenced yard to be safe; once it catches a scent it will follow its nose for miles. They are not for everyone; this dog does best with positive, gentle methods of training. Be prepared to hide small items from your hound; they have been known to swallow unusual things. These pack dogs enjoy the company of other animals. This breed loves humans; they are not suited to solitary lives. The Bloodhound is not known by any other names.
| Training: | Moderately easy to train |
| Hunting Companion: | Yes |
| Jolly for Jogging: | Yes |
| Sighting Capabilities: | No |
| Ideal for Tracking: | Yes |
| Retrieving Skills: | No |
| Pointing Breed: | No |
| Herding Skills: | No |
| Dutiful Watchdog: | Yes |
| Security Guard Capable: | No |
| Police Performer: | Yes |
| Wet Water rescues: | No |
| Assist Disable Owners: | No |
| Dog Sledding: | No |
| Able to Perform Dog Carting: | No |
| Agile/Zippy: | No |
| Fun with Lure Coursing: | No |
| Obedient: | No |
| Possible Schutzhund Work: | No |
| Trainable for Tricks: | No |
