Bloodhound Breed

By Dr. Sara Ochoa

Do you like big dogs?

Are you looking for a fun and affectionate companion?

Do you need a dog who will be good with kids?

Will your ideal dog go everywhere and do everything with you?

If you answered ‘yes’ to the questions above, then look no further!

Take a look at the Bloodhound!

This big dog is all love and affection.

The bloodhound has long been the chosen hunting dogs of nobility.

But do not worry, he makes a wonderful companion!

There is no need to train your pup to hunt if you don’t want to.

Just know that your bloodhound’s innate hunting skills will make themselves known once in a while!

So, what are the most important things to know about the bloodhound?

This article will cover your pup’s personality, appearance, and training needs.

In addition, we will talk about what you should expect when it comes to grooming and exercise.

Finally, I’ll break down some of the medical conditions most commonly found in this breed.

When deciding what breed to purchase, it’s best to go in with your eyes wide open.

Are you ready to learn about the bloodhound?

Let’s go!

Appearance

The bloodhound is an incredibly regal breed.

He stands from 23-27 inches tall and can weigh up to 110 pounds.

His coat is short and smooth, sporting colors of black and tan, liver and tan, or red.

The breed is made instantly recognizable by his drooping facial features.

Big ears hang down on either side of his floppy face.

This creates wrinkles that help enhance the bloodhound’s already stellar sense of smell.

This breed is known for his large, soulful eyes and his earnest gaze.

The gentleness and loyalty read in those eyes will overwhelm you.

This pup is very active and loves to spend time outdoors.

There is nothing quite like seeing a bloodhound running.

His majestic gait is nothing short of beautiful.

And once he has a scent to track, your bloodhound will give all of his attention to it.

The focus exhibited by this breed on the job only serves to enhance his natural beauty.

And when he comes home to relax with his family, the bloodhound makes a perfect companion.

Because of his large size, it is important to keep an eye out when your pup is around small children.

He may unwittingly knock a little one over and not even realize!

Personality

The bloodhound is one of the most sensitive dogs out there.

When training, make sure to use a firm but controlled voice.

Shouting and aggression will just shut your pup down.

However, the bloodhound is also strong-willed.

So, consistent and firm training is necessary for the happiness of both you and your bloodhound.

Once he is integrated into your family, your bloodhound will be incredibly affectionate with all of you.

This breed is known to be one of the most loving dogs out there.

While he will adore your family, your pup will be very shy around new people.

This makes socialization training imperative.

Helping your dog learn proper socialization techniques not only helps him interact with new people and animals.

It also will help alleviate the anxiety he may feel when thrown into a new situation.

The bloodhound is very vocal.

If you don’t like a loud dog, this breed is not the one for you!

Prepare for your pup to put his hunting bay into practice, often and loudly!

While some training may help mitigate some of your pup’s barking, this is part of his biology.

The bloodhound needs to bark.

As long as you expect it and are prepared, you shouldn’t have an issue with your pup’s vocal expression!

Exercise

Many people have a misconception that hounds spend most of their days sleeping.

This perception probably comes from illustrations of hounds snoozing in the sun on a farm porch.

This picture couldn’t be farther from the truth!

The bloodhound has almost endless pools of energy.

This is best exemplified when this breed finds an interesting scent.

Your pup will pursue that scent with single-minded focus, sometimes for hours on end.

All this is to say that daily exercise is a must for this breed.

Long walks or hikes work best for exercising your bloodhound.

It doesn’t matter how well trained your pup is.

Always put him on a strong leash when out and about.

If your bloodhound comes across an intriguing scent while on a walk, no amount of training will convince him to leave it if he is off leash.

Similarly, carefully inspect the enclosure of any fenced-in yard you are going to let your pup run loose in.

The bloodhound is an avid digger and has a reputation for being an escape artist.

It always pays to make sure any fence is actually sturdy and does not allow easy access to the outside.

Grooming

The bloodhound’s coat is very quick and easy to take care of.

Once a week, brush or wipe down your pup’s coat.

This helps remove any dead hair and encourages the spread of healthy skin oils.

Your pup will shed twice a year, but your weekly brushing will help mitigate the intensity of the shed.

Bathing your pup regularly will help keep any unpleasant odors to a minimum.

The real challenge of grooming this breed is the facial wrinkles.

Because these folds are so deep, it is important to clean them out regularly.

Daily cleaning is ideal.

Wipe out each individual fold with a gentle, warm cloth and dry the skin before moving on.

Not only does this help prevent odors from building up, but also helps fight infection.

The bloodhound is a drooling champion.

Be prepared to wipe your pup’s face regularly to remove excess drool.

This will also help keep his folds clean, since his own drool could get in there.

As with any dog, consistently check your bloodhound’s nails to make sure they are trimmed.

Walking your pup on pavement will help wear them down naturally.

However, you can also clip them yourself or take him to the groomer for some spoiling.

Training

As stated above, the bloodhound is an incredibly sensitive soul.

However, he is also very stubborn and will want to do things his way.

Most experts recommend starting your pup’s training as soon as absolutely possible.

Start with socialization training.

This will help mitigate the shyness and anxiety this breed is known to experience when meeting new people or dogs.

The bloodhound doesn’t fully mature until he is at least two years old.

This means that you will have a full-grown dog that still acts like a puppy.

One thing bloodhound puppies are known for is eating and chewing things they shouldn’t.

Slippers, tv remotes, hair ties, socks, it’s all fair game for your pup.

Firm and consistent correction is the best way to discourage such behaviors.

As with all breeds, continuing your pup’s training throughout his life will ensure both his and your happiness.

Because of his tracking tendencies, create games you can play with your pup.

Tracking games can both entertain him and give your bloodhound an outlet for his excitable nose.

Providing mental stimulation will also encourage your pup to remain active as he gets older.

You will be building a relationship that will last for years!

Health

Like most breeds, the bloodhound is generally healthy but can be susceptible to specific health issues.

The most likely health problems to arise would be hip and elbow dysplasia.

This occurs when the joint sockets are not formed properly.

As the dog gets older, the hip and/or elbow will slip out of the socket, causing discomfort.

There is no way to predict if a puppy will develop this condition.

However, a conscientious breeder will not breed dogs who exhibit signs of this condition.

Something else to be wary of is eye problems.

Because the bloodhound’s face is so saggy, this pulls his eyelids away from the eye.

Eyelashes can get stuck in the eyeball, or the eyelids could roll either in or out of the eye, causing irritation.

Taking the time to check your pup’s eyes every day for irritation can do a lot for preventing problems.

In addition to his eyes, check your bloodhound’s face folds everyday for any buildup or irritation.

If you find any, gently clean it away with a warm, wet cloth and dry it thoroughly.

Bacteria can gather and breed in those crevices, so you are doing your pup a favor by keeping them clean and dry.

Use this daily time to bond with your dog.

I know he’ll appreciate it!

History

The actual origins of the bloodhound breed is shrouded in history.

Our first documentation of the breed comes from a scholar in the third century.

He talks about a highly dedicated hound that will not rest until he finds his quarry.

Because of this document, the bloodhound is recognized as the forerunner to all subsequent hound breeds.

You might call him the father of the hounds!

The breed as we know it today was developed in medieval Europe.

Bloodhounds were largely bred in monasteries, where the process was treated with great care and respect.

Because of the detail that was put into breeding these dogs, they became known as Bloodhounds.

Their name is a nod to their aristocratic or ‘blooded’ pedigree.

Today the bloodhound is well-recognized as the world’s best nose.

Technology has yet to replicate the accuracy and strength of this breed’s sniffer!

Often used for tracking lost children, confused seniors, or criminals, the bloodhound can be used as a viable witness in most courts!

This beautiful and majestic dog is certainly one of a kind!

Where Can I Find Bloodhound puppies?

As with any breed, the most important step is to find a reliable breeder.

There are plenty of puppy mills and internet scams out there trying to snatch your time and money.

Ensure that you are working with a legitimate breeder who cares about you and the puppy.

A reliable breeder will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

In addition, they will be proactive in screening their puppies for any potential health risks.

You should always ask about the health of your puppy’s parents.

This will help you ensure that you are getting as healthy a puppy as possible.

Take the time to visit your breeder several times.

This will help you accomplish several objectives.

You can confirm that your puppy was raised in a safe, loving, and ethical home.

Spend as much time with the puppies as possible.

If you are unsure which puppy will work best with your family, breeders will often have recommendations based on personality.

Once you take your puppy home, he will be more comfortable in his new surroundings since you spent so much time with him already.

Start looking at Bloodhound Puppies today!

FAQ

Q: Are bloodhounds good with kids?
A: Yes! They will love and adore everyone in their family! However, they can be shy around new people.

Q: Is this breed messy?
A: When it comes to their drool, yes. Bloodhounds drool a lot and you should expect to have at least one towel commissioned for drool duty.

Q: Are bloodhounds hard to train?
A: They are sensitive to correction but have a strong will. The most important thing you can do is be consistent and continuous with your pup’s training.

Q: Does this breed require a lot of exercise?
A: Bloodhounds require a moderate to high amount of exercise. Long daily walks and a large fenced in yard will help your pup get rid of energy.

In Closing

This gentle giant truly lives up to his illustrious reputation.

While having a bloodhound may be a lot of work, he will make it up to you in affection and loyalty.

What do you think?

Are you ready to look at some cute little wrinkled pups?

Head over here to check out some adorable Bloodhound puppies!

Thank you for learning about this beautiful breed with me!

Until next time!

References

American Kennel Club. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from American Kennel Club: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/bloodhound/

Daily Paws. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from Daily Paws: https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-breeds/bloodhound

Dog Breed Info. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from Dog Breed Info: https://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bloodhound.htm

Dogtime. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from Dogtime: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/bloodhound#/slide/1

Hillspet. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from Hillspet: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/bloodhound

Vetstreet. (2022, 5 11). Bloodhound. Retrieved from Vetstreet: http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/bloodhound#overview