Bloodhound

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Get to Know Bloodhounds

World-Record Noses: Bloodhounds have the most powerful sense of smell in the canine world capable of following a scent trail over 130 miles and several days old.
Evidence in Court: Their tracking work is so reliable that it has been admissible in courts as evidence in some legal cases.
Long Facial Features Aid Scenting: Their wrinkled skin, long ears, and droopy lips help funnel scent toward their nose as they track.
Saintly Roots: The breed was originally known as the St. Hubert Hound, bred by monks for noble hunting purposes.
Can Be Selectively Deaf: Bloodhounds may seem unresponsive not from lack of hearing, but due to their strong single-minded focus on scents over commands.

Breed History

The Bloodhound is one of the oldest and most revered scent hound breeds, with roots tracing back over a thousand years to medieval France. Originally developed by monks at the Saint-Hubert Monastery, these dogs were refined over centuries to create a breed with an extraordinary sense of smell and tracking ability. They were later brought to England and further developed into the Bloodhound we know today. Renowned for their ability to follow a scent trail over great distances and long after it's left, Bloodhounds have been used for centuries in hunting, search and rescue, and law enforcement.

Personality and Behaviour

Gentle Giants: Bloodhounds are gentle giants with a sweet disposition, especially around children and other animals.
Relentless Scent Trailing: Despite their mellow indoor nature, they become laser-focused and relentless when following a scent trail.
Stubborn: Their stubborn streak can make them challenging to train, but they're affectionate and loyal companions.

Care

Exercise: Daily moderate to vigorous walks or tracking games are essential to keep them physically and mentally healthy.
Grooming: While the coat is low maintenance, their wrinkles and ears need regular cleaning to prevent infections and skin issues.
Training: Requires patience, positive reinforcement, and consistency due to their independence and strong scent drive.

Bloodhound Summary

Weight

80-110 lbs

Lifespan

10-12 years

Exercise

Moderate

Temperament

Trainability

Moderate

Grooming

Moderate

What to ask your breeder?

It’s important to ensure your breeder conducts thorough health screenings on the two dogs that were bred for the litter. Reputable breeders should perform genetic laboratory testing and also orthopedic evaluations. There’s no way to guarantee every puppy in every litter is 100% free from health problems, but responsible breeding practices greatly reduce the risk.

Here’s a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:

Bloodhound Health Testing

Screening	Considerations
Hip Dysplasia	OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation
Elbow Dysplasia	OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation
Cardiac Evaluation	One of the following: Congenital Cardiac Exam - Specialist or Cardiologist exam is recommended and preferred. In an Congenital Cardiac number, the examiner is shown as: P-Practitioner, S-Specialist, or C-Cardiologist.An ECHO suffix indicates the exam included echocardiography. Advanced Cardiac Exam Basic Cardiac Exam - Specialist or Cardiologist exam is recommended and preferred. In an Basic Cardiac number, the examiner is shown as: P-Practitioner, S-Specialist, or C-Cardiologist.An ECHO suffix indicates the exam included echocardiography.
ACVO Eye Exam	(Optional) ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA.
Patellar Luxation	(Optional) Veterinary Evaluation of Patellar Luxation. Results registered with OFA.
PennHip Hip Dysplasia	(Optional) PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA.
Degenerative Myelopathy	(Optional) DNA based DM test results from an approved lab.

How Much Does It Cost to Own a Bloodhound Per Year?

Determining the cost of owning a Bloodhound is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.

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