Bloodhound Dog Breed Description

  • BloodhoundThe Bloodhound dog breed is recognized by its distinctive mournful, yet dignified expression. These dogs are massive, powerful hounds with big muzzles, loose, wrinkled skin, long ears, generous jowls, and deep-set eyes with drooping lower lids.
  • Bloodhounds have powerful shoulders, solid, muscular forelegs, and a black nose set on the top of the muzzle.
  • The coat is hard and short on most of the body, but may be softer on the ears and skull. The coat is usually liver and tan, red and tawny, or black and tan.

Temperament

  • Bloodhounds are patient, noble, kind, loveable, and mild-mannered dogs. They are gentle and affectionate with children – to the point that they will even allow small children climb all over them without so much as a complaint. They are overall good-natured companions, and they love as much attention as you can give them.
  • Dogs require gentle, firm, and authoritative training to prevent willfulness, timidity, or destructive behavior. Although they are difficult to train for obedience, they are naturally gentle animals. Bloodhounds have a stubborn streak and tend to be boisterous when they are young. Mental and physical exercise is essential to keep Bloodhounds happy, healthy, and easy-to-handle.
  • These dogs have amazing instincts and smell-tracking capabilities. They are able to follow any scent and have been known to track scents left behind over 100 hours before and stay on a trail over 100 miles.

Height and Weight

  • Adult males tend to be 25-27 inches tall and weigh around 90-110 pounds.
  • Adult females are generally 23-25 inches tall and weigh about 80-100 pounds.

Living Conditions and Exercise

  • The Bloodhound dog breed can do okay in an apartment setting as long as they receive sufficient exercise. They will be happiest with a medium-sized yard. They should never be kept in a yard that does not have a sturdy fence – they will instinctually take off after a scent if left unsupervised.
  • This breed has a good deal of energy to spare, and will enjoy as much exercise as possible. They require daily walks and need plenty of time to play outdoors. Dogs can walk for hours, particularly if they find an interesting scent. They will enjoy hiking, but will need to kept on-leash.

Life Expectancy

  • Well-cared for dogs can be expected to live 10-12 years.

Grooming

  • The easy-to-care-for coat requires occasional grooming with a hound glove. Dogs should be bathed only when necessary. Rub the coat with a chamois or rough towel to make it gleam.
  • The Bloodhound’s floppy ears should be cleaned regularly.
  • They are average shedders, and have a distinctive odor that some people find offensive.

History

  • The Bloodhound dog breed is over a thousand years old, and was perfected (though not created) by St. Hubert monks in Belgium. The dogs were brought into England by the Normans and were later brought to the United States.
  • American Coonhounds, Bavarian Mountain Hounds, Swiss Jura Hounds, Brazilian Fila Brasileiros, and many other breeds can all trace their heritage back the ancient Bloodhound.
  • These dogs love the hunt and tracking rather than the kill. They are used to hunt and find animals, lost children, criminals, and runaway slaves. Bloodhound evidence is admissible in US courts. Although they are not easy to train for obedience, their sweet personalities make them natural family companions.

Group and Recognition

  • Grouping: Hound, AKC Hound
  • Recognition: CKC, ACR, NKC, APRI, FCI, KCGB, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NZKC
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