Bloodhound… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Suppose you’re not familiar with the Bloodhound breed. In that case, you can be forgiven if, at first thought, you might have a “bit” of trepidation about including the Bloodhound breed on your “short list” of dog generates candidates competing to become your next pet unless you are looking for a top-notch scent hound who will love you till his dying day. Giving the Bloodhound breed a severe look-over is an absolute MUST in such cases.

Because the truth is, you’ll have a difficult time finding a better dog out there.

• But what if you’re not a hunter?
• What if you’re looking for a big, adorable dog that’s a lot of fun to own?
• Is a Bloodhound still a good choice?

Knowing whether a Bloodhound is “right” will always be tricky in cases like these. This is why, in this article, we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own a Bloodhound so that if you do choose to purchase a Bloodhound puppy, you won’t be disappointed six months from now.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Bloodhound Dog Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  England

Original Purpose:  Hunting Dog

Height:  23 to 27 inches tall

Weight:  80 to 110 pounds

Life Span: 8 to 10 years

Dog Breed Classification:  Hound

Origins of the Bloodhound

The Bloodhound breed is an ancient breed that dates back to the 8^th century when its ancestors, the black Saint Hubert hounds, were first used as hunting companions throughout Europe. During the 12^th century, the breed became a focus among the Church dignitaries who found these dogs useful for hunting. As a result, monasteries throughout England and Western Europe began breeding these dogs specifically for the hunt.

As a result, these dogs, under the control of the Monasteries, became highly refined and bred to exact specifications that they first started to be called “blooded hounds.” A title refers to their pure blood and noble breeding, not because they are some “vicious” bloodthirsty creatures!

Bloodhounds in America

While no one is certain exactly when the Bloodhound made the trip to America, the breed has been known to exist here in America since the mid-1800s and has proven itself to be a pretty adept hunter here as well. They also have a long history of working within law enforcement in the United States. They were used to track and trail criminals, escapees, and even in court cases where identification by “smell” is applicable!

This is probably why the Bloodhound was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 and other international kennel clubs worldwide, such as the Federation Cynologique International.

Physical Characteristics

This scent hound is well known for his appearance – sunken eyes, large ears, loose jowls, and a serious-looking furrowed face….If you didn’t know him well enough, you would think he is sad or depressed about something. This “look” is also probably why the Bloodhound is one of Hollywood’s favorite dogs to cast as the big and mean police dog that picks up a scent and goes chasing after criminals at the scene of the murder on just about every TV or movie based out of the South.

And yes, these are big dogs…

They are scent hounds, but there is no reason to fear them, even though an average Bloodhound can weigh up to 110 pounds and reach 27 inches in height! The good news is that despite his size, because he has a short coat that is generally of the color combination black and tan, red or liver and tan, grooming and keeping him clean isn’t a monumental task!

However…

And this is important: you should take special care and wash your Bloodhounds face every time he eats because Bloodhounds have a habit of shaking their heads constantly and can leave puddles of water and food debris everywhere if you don’t wipe their mouth after they eat or drink water. Plus, the Bloodhound also has this habit of drooling. This is another reason you’ll want to clean him up whenever he has a meal or drinks water.

Personality and Temperament

The Bloodhound is a loyal and intelligent dog, but as we just mentioned, he does have a penchant for drooling. Which could either be an endearing part of owning a Bloodhound or it could be a deal breaker! He also likes to shake his head a lot, so if you have anything expensive in the living room, ensure it is safely out of his reach. You don’t want any accidents.

And while…

This may be another reason you can’t see yourself owning a Bloodhound; remember, these are trendy dogs to hold, even if you’re not a hunter. The reason is that these dogs are incredibly kind and generous creatures. They will not only love you till the day they die but also love and protect any children in their “family.” And if you believe that love means…

“Never having to say you’re sorry.”

You could be the perfect Bloodhound owner because they do tend to be a “bit” stubborn. And by “bit,” we mean STUBBORN. But in all fairness, being stubborn isn’t a unique trait among hounds; you’ll also find the quality alive and well in Basset Hounds and Coonhounds!

Training a Bloodhound puppy is not easy…

You must use a lot of cunning and trickery to ensure he follows your commands. The best time to start training a Bloodhound puppy is when he is VERY young and curious about the world. Additionally, even though just about every time you see or meet a Bloodhound for the first time, it looks like they are just waking up from a long nap, these dogs will require a LOT of exercise.

He is a working dog…

You have to take him out on long walks once or twice daily. And if he doesn’t get exercise, he will pick up an attractive scent and go after it on his own, and good luck trying to stop him! This is also why you always have your Bloodhound on a leash when you take him out for a walk. Otherwise, he will find a scent and run after it.

What about the health problems common to Bloodhounds?

The Bloodhound puppy chews, chews, and chews all the time. For heaven’s sake, he can chew almost anything – toys, plastic, towels, cushions, smartphones, and even stones! For this reason, you must be prepared to take him to the vet multiple times for dental care and to correct the intestinal blockages. This is a severe problem for sure – which is why you’ll want to train your Bloodhound puppy early on not to chew anything other than his “Chew” toys, which you should have plenty of.

Apart from that…

The Bloodhound could also suffer from other health problems, including:

• Entropion
• Hip Dysplasia
• Patellar Luxation
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Fold Dermatitis

Now if you…

Still believe that a Bloodhound is the right dog for you; there are two additional things that we would like you to consider. First, instead of purchasing a Bloodhound puppy, see if there is a Bloodhound rescue program in your area and if you can’t find a “love connection” there before falling in love with a Bloodhound puppy.

Then, once you’ve found your Bloodhound, take a moment and see what it might cost to purchase a pet insurance policy for them. This is because, like it or not, Bloodhounds tend to find themselves in the waiting room of many veterinarian offices. And seeing a vet once or twice a year can get expensive if you’re not adequately insured.

Now, will a pet insurance policy be suitable for everyone?

No, probably not. But until you know what it will cost you to be able to insure your loved one properly, how will you learn? This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet have written our Best Pet Insurance Companies article so that you can quickly decide if purchasing a pet insurance policy makes sense for you!