If you’re not familiar with the Bloodhound breed, 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 breeds candidates competing to become your next pet.
Unless of course…
You looking for a top-notch scent hound who is going to love you till his dying day. In cases like these, it’s an absolute MUST that you give the Bloodhound breed a very serious look over.
Because the truth is, you’re going to have a difficult time finding a better dog out there.
- But what if you’re not a hunter?
- What if you’re just looking for a big adorable dog that’s a lot of fun to own?
- Is a Bloodhound still a good choice?
In cases like these, knowing whether a Bloodhound is “right” for is always going to be a tough question.
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 as far as the 8th century when its ancestors, the black Saint Hubert hounds were first used as hunting companions throughout Europe.
It was then…
During the 12th century that the breed became a center of focus within the Church dignitaries who found these dogs to be particularly 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 referred to as “blooded hounds”. A title referring to their pure blood and noble breeding, and not because they are some type of “vicious” blood thirsty 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-1800’s and has proven himself to be quite the adept hunter here as well.
They also have a long…
History of working within law enforcement here in the United States where they were used to track and trail criminals, escapees and even in court cases where identification by “smell” as useful!
This is probably why…
The Bloodhound was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1885 as well as other international kennel clubs worldwide such as the Federation Cynologique International.
Physical Characteristics of the Bloodhound…
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 that 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 in fact scent hounds, but there is no reason to be scared of them. Despite the fact that 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 each and every time he eats because Bloodhounds have a habit of shaking their heads constantly and can leave puddles of water and or food debris everywhere if you don’t wipe his mouth after he eats or drinks water.
Plus…
The Bloodhound also has this habit of drooling. Which is another reason why you’ll want to make sure to clean him up every time he has a meal or drinks water.
Bloodhound 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, make sure that it is safely out of his reach. You don’t want any accidents.
And while…
This may be another reason why you can’t see yourself owning a Bloodhound, remember, these are very popular dogs to own, even if you’re not a hunter.
And the reason is…
Because, these dogs are extremely kind and generous creatures. That will not only love you till the day they die, but also love and protect any children in their “family” as well.
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 REALLY STUBBORN. But in all fairness, being stubborn isn’t a unique trait among hounds, you’ll also find the trait alive and well in Basset Hounds and Coonhounds as well!
Training a Bloodhound puppy is not easy…
You will have to use a lot of cunning and trickery to make sure that 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…
Despite the fact that just about every time you see or meet a Bloodhound for the first time it looks as though they are just waking up from a long nap, these dogs will require a LOT of exercise.
He is a working dog…
Which means you have to take him out on long walks once or twice each and every day. And if he doesn’t get exercise, he will just pick up an interesting 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 just 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. He can chew almost anything – toys, plastic, towels, cushions, smartphones and even stones, for heaven’s sake!
For this reason, you have to be prepared to take him to the vet multiple times, not just for dental care but also to correct the intestinal blockages. This is a serious 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:
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 see if you can’t find a “love connection” there first 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 on him or her. The reason for this is because, like it or not, Bloodhounds tend to find themselves in the waiting room of a lot of veterinarian offices.
And…
Seeing a vet once or twice a year can get a little expensive if you’re not properly insured.
Now will a pet insurance policy be right for everyone?
No, probably not. But until you know what it will cost you to be able to properly insure your loved one, how will you know? This is why we here at IndulgeYourPet have written our Best Pet Insurance Companies article so that you can quickly decide for yourself if purchasing a pet insurance policy makes sense for you personally!
She was easy to have me trained 😀.. We also have problems with her not liking new people In he house and she is very territorial when it comes to me, even towards my husband.
Take her out and she is the most friendly dog. You would never know she bites anyone that comes in the house she doesn’t know and for some reason my mom.
She’s going on 9 and the health program listed above are a problem, my veterinarian is old school but the best this he recommended was GLUCOSAMINE. It really helps the joint pain.
Pat,
Thanks, for sharing your experiences. As for being territorial around that house, that’s a tough one. Because after all, it is nice to know that your dog is protecting your home. Our advice on that front would be to really try and introduce any visitors you have to your girl before entering your home because she does sound like a sweetheart once she’s not worried about her home turf!
Thanks,
IndulgeYourPet.
Hi Pat
I have a female, mom and she is protective when people come over or when she meets new people when we are out. But I find she is very good at reading my cues. When she bark aggressively at any delivery me I tell her “Scarlet, he is a good boy it is ok and she will stop barking” For new people we meet when we are out she really looks to me and my body language for her to trust and eventually feel comfortable with the person and then she is fine. I give her verbal assurances. Your safety is of the utmost importance to her so if she knows you are ok that may make her feel more comfortable. Reassure her positively. You guys are a team. Good luck
What can I say. I got my first bloodhound and fell in l love. I now have 4. Although a larger dog they are all very gentle natured. They were not raised with kids but are very good with kids they have met. I found all of my dogs very easy to train with house breaking and obedience. These do do not do well with harsh discipline. They are very emotional and thrive on love positive training and encouragement. If you yell at your bloodhound you will not get the results your looking for. Using praise and disappointment you will succeed with training. My dogs did not chew at all. They were not distructive. One of my favorite things about the breed is that they are very family oriented with us and each other. They are all friends, mom, dad, son and daughter. They play together sleep together and eat together with no aggression. If you are thinking of owning a bloodhound you MUST have a fenced yard, and you must want to go on long walks. They are a strong endurant breed, even my lazy one. They do drool, some more than others and not all the time but sometimes alot. If you can put up with the drool and you are looking for a great companion that loves the outdoors and will give you a lifetime of clingy unconditional love while bringing you toys each time you come home well maybe the bloodhound is for you. I am hooked for life. My recommendation, adopt 2. 🙂
We have a male and a female bloodhound and we are often joked with about their “lack of guard dog” quality. I have 5 kids and although I know they would never let anyone hurt them (they are very loyal) they greet every person they’ve ever met as a friend. It’s like they’ve never met a stranger! Even if it’s their first time. We currently have a litter of pups and both mama and dad don’t even flinch when someone comes to look at them to pick their pup. I have found that bloodhounds are the perfect family dog for us. They are big and stubborn, but they are the kindest, gentlest, and most patient breed we’ve ever had. They’re wonderful! 😍