Bloodhound Overview

Most famous for their assistance with law enforcement and search and rescue, the Bloodhound is world famous as the king of tracking breeds. 

One would think a dog of such renown would be perfect as a home companion, but there is much more to the breed than initial appearances. Noisy, destructive, and stubborn, the Bloodhound is a great challenge for most owners, and can be unmanageable for novices. 

Maintenance is relatively low with the exception of their comically floppy ears, which have a tendency to collect dirt and grime, making unwashed ears highly prone to infection. 

Not for cleanliness enthusiasts, this breed drools in great excess. A single shake of the head can send slobber in all directions, covering whatever it touches. 

The Bloodhound is never appropriate for city life, with a baying ability that can wake the dead. For the average individual, owning a Bloodhound as a home companion is like owning a fire engine to go to the grocery store. They are specially bred for certain tasks and do not work well outside their intended purpose.

Bloodhound History

It goes without saying that the Bloodhound’s talent at tracking has earned great renown over the centuries. Although there is little evidence to prove it, this breed was mythologized all the way back to the 3^rd century A.D., where its otherworldly instinct and determination would cause it to hunt its prey to any distance until it was caught. 

The name “Bloodhound” is not meant to conjure images of violence. Instead, the referent “blood” in the dog’s name is a statement of nobility. “Blood-born” hounds were highly favored by European aristocracies since the 12^th century, where they led hunting parties across vast game preserves. 

Today, Bloodhounds are most famous for their work in law enforcement. Their sense of smell is so powerful it is used as hard evidence in courtrooms. Furthermore, the Bloodhound is granted the honor of achieving more convictions than human police officers. It is said that criminals have been tracked for over 50 miles by vigilant Bloodhounds.

Bloodhound Character

The Bloodhound is indeed very good with children, but that does not mean it is a family dog by any measure. Just going on walks could be too much of a hassle for most owners. While Bloodhounds prefer the company of their owners, a strange scent will likely cause them to forget the rules and proceed to drag their owner all over the neighborhood. 

Even though it should not be considered in the first place, breaking this dog of its powerful tracking instinct will be an anger-wrought, futile enterprise. As mentioned before, the Bloodhound is generally well-behaved around children, until food comes into play. 

This dog’s protective attitude towards its meals can lead to it biting those who do not understand. 

Being a packhound, this breed is naturally friendly around other animals, with the exception of dominancy towards other male dogs. And the Bloodhound tends to be clumsy and ungainly, accidentally injuring smaller pets. 

Training is an equally frustrating venture. This dog is extremely bold and stubborn, and progress will not even begin until the owner establishes dominance. But even under those conditions, the Bloodhound simply does not like to be trained. 

For a family looking for a lovable addition, it is highly recommended they turn away from the Bloodhound. This breed is better suited in the hands of professionals, or at least in the care of an individual who is experienced and enthusiastic about exercise.

Bloodhound Care

The Bloodhound doesn't require much grooming coat wise, however under the folds of skin should be cleaned regularly to avoid itchy or dry skin. A quick and regular brushing should be performed to remove any dead or loose hair, as this breed can seasonally be a very heavy shedder. The Bloodhound has very long and droopy ears, which should be cleaned regularly to avoid any painful and/or infected ears.

Bloodhound Training

The Bloodhound is extremely intelligent and eager to please his owner however can be very stubborn making training a definite task. Gentle handling and speaking is a must as this breed can be very sensitive, but consistency is also necessary if this breed is to thrive and learn. Bloodhounds can be very slow to house train and train period, however if proper training exercises are followed on a regular basis, this breed should excel and become a wonderful family and/or hunting companion.

Bloodhound Health

Common Health Issues for the Bloodhound:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Less Common Health Issues for the Bloodhound:

Disclaimer: While we try our best to provide accurate medical reference information, it is very likely that we have errors on our website. Do not use this website to diagnose or treat your dog. Please check with your veterinarian for health advice and treatment options.

Bloodhound Resources