Bloodhound: the facts that every owner of this breed of dog should know

A familiar-looking, wrinkled, long-eared dog, the Bloodhound breed is over a thousand years old. Originally bred in Belgium by the monks of St. Hubert, the monks selectively bred hounds with other hounds to hone this breed’s olfactory ability. The hounds were brought to England and eventually the United States. Bloodhounds have the strongest ability to smell of all bloodhounds and are known for the ability to track scents over long distances that can take days.

Today, bloodhounds are bred for the specific purpose of tracking humans and are used to track disaster victims or the police to track suspects. Part of Bloodhound’s history includes its use in the United States to track runaway slaves. However, hounds are not hunters. They don’t like killing prey, only capturing it. They will surround the dam and the bay so that the master knows their location. Male hounds will grow between 25 and 27 inches and weigh between 90 and 110 pounds. Female bloodhounds will average 23 to 25 inches in height and 80 to 100 in weight. This large breed of dog will live between 10 and 12 years.

Bloodhounds have short-haired coats that are easy to care for and can be black and tan, liver and tan, and red and tawny. However, even with regular cleaning, hounds are sometimes described as having a strong “doggy” odor that does not go away. Bloodhounds tend to drool more than most dogs, and they are also prone to howl and snore more. Described as kind, patient, and affectionate, Bloodhounds make a good family dog ​​and do well with children. In fact, many Bloodhounds will allow children to climb all over the place and will not react in any way. However, be careful when hounds are around children. This large dog can accidentally run over smaller children.

Bloodhounds need firm and consistent training as they can be strong-minded. This is especially true (and especially important) when dating a Bloodhound, as it will take off after a scent that has caught its attention. Bloodhounds can live in any environment, as long as they are exercised at least once a day. Bloodhounds can have medical problems like bloating, stomach cramps, hip dysplasia, and ear infections. A padded bed is recommended to avoid calluses on the joints. Some tend to contract entropion, where the eyelids turn inward.

There is a website that has great information on Bloodhounds and most other dog breeds. It has details pertaining to dog breed health, grooming, living conditions, best food options and more, the website is called: Cat and Dog Facts, and can be found at this URL:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

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