Bloodhound

Click For - Bloodhound Pictures

• Breed Origin: The Bloodhound, also known as the Saint Hubert Hound and Sleuth Hound, is one of the oldest and most famous breeds of dogs in the world. The St Hubert was, according to legend, first bred ca. 1000 AD by monks at the Saint-Hubert Monastery in Belgium; its origins are likely in France, home of many of modern hounds. It is held to be the ancestor of several other breeds, like the extinct Norman hound, and Santongeois, and the modern Bleu de Gascogne, Gascon Santongeois, Ariegeois and Artois Normande, as well as the bloodhound. It has been suggested that it was a mixed breed, not at all uniform in type. Bloodhound have been bred for centuries for their unique tracking abilities, many believe that the Bloodhound has the most powerful sense of smell in the canine world. Originally bred for use in hunting deer and wild boar, the modern day Bloodhound has become more famed for its ability to track people. The Bloodhounds’ noses have been responsible for tracking everything from foxes, wolves, children and beloved pets that have gone missing. In fact the odorous sense of Bloodhounds is so keen that those used for police, search and rescue work have successfully tracked scents in excess of a week old. In 1995, a Santa Clara County Bloodhound working with a search and rescue service successfully tracked down a man who had been missing for eight days.

• Coat Colors: black, liver, tan, red

• Description:The Bloodhound is probably the most distinctive looking breeds of dogs found in the world. With their classic wrinkled face, droopy ears, and sad eyes. These very large dogs are famous for their serious expressions and extra large, drooling mouth. The Bloodhound is one of the largest and heaviest hounds. Male Bloodhounds are typically 25 and 27 inches in height and weigh between 90 to 110 pounds. The slightly smaller females are typically between 23 and 25 inches in height and weigh between 80 to 100 pounds. A Bloodhounds weight should always in proportion to its height. Bloodhounds are first and foremost working dogs, and should always appear in healthy condition. Bloodhounds can be found in different, though similar colors. Most often Bloodhounds are tan and black, although they also come in tan and liver, as well as red. Many Bloodhounds that are black and tan or tan and liver have a distinctive saddle shape marking on their backs. This pattern is particularly prominent in tan and black Bloodhounds. Bloodhounds have been bred to maximize their sense of smell for over a thousand years. Most of the Bloodhound’s appearance is a result of centuries of purposeful breeding. Bloodhounds have long snouts and protruding noses, which give them a greater area to have scent receptors. Bloodhounds have wrinkled jowls, which are said to trap scent particles from the ground, although whether or not this is actually the case is not known. The long, drooping ears of the Bloodhound are said to collect scent particles, as well as to buffer them back to the nose, although many believe that this is unlikely. The Bloodhound’s eyes are sunk deeply into its face, giving the dog its serious expression for which it is so famous. The color of a Bloodhound’s eyes should be similar to that of its coat. The wrinkles on the jowls often extend well up the face, and sometimes as far as the neck, although not nearly to the extent of a Mastiff or a Bulldog. In general, Bloodhounds appear to have excess skin over their entire bodies, which moves as they walk. Bloodhounds should appear relatively muscular, particularly in the legs. However, these dogs are not typically as muscular as some other breeds of hound such as Coonhounds. A Bloodhound should have a relatively long tail, which is usually held erect.

• Exercise Requirements: Bloodhounds are active dogs and need a well-fenced backyard in which to run. They need daily exercise on a leash because unclipped from a leash they can put their head down and start tracking a scent.

• Grooming: Bloodhounds need their face folds checked and wiped daily and ears checked and wiped weekly. Breeders recommend keeping a hand towel ready to wipe the drool. Bloodhounds are low maintenance; their coat needs a wipe over with a hound glove once a week and washed when it smells.

• Hereditary Disorders: Bloodhounds are prone to the following disorders.
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Gastric dilatation volvulus syndrome
  • Malocclusion
  • Ectropion
  • Entropion
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Osteochondritis dissecans
  • Osteochondrosis dissecans
  • Eversion of nictitating membrane
  • Keratitis sicca
  • Keratoconjunctivitis sicca
  • Persistent pupillary membrane
  • Uterine inertia, primary

  While the listed ailments may be common in this breed, not all members of the breed suffer from these conditions. Responsible breeders screen for orthopedic and genetic diseases. Click For - More Information On Disorders Affecting Bloodhounds

• Height: 58 to 69 cm (23 to 27 inches

• Hypoallergenic: No

• Life Expectancy: 9 to 11 years

• Living Area Requirements: This breed is gentle, yet tireless when following a scent. Because of its strong tracking instinct, it can be willful and somewhat difficult to obedience train. Bloodhounds have an affectionate and even-tempered nature, making excellent family pets. However, like any pet, they require supervision when around small children.

• Temperament: Bloodhounds are affectionate dogs around familiar people but at times can be reserved and sensitive with strangers. Outdoors they are outgoing, happy and energetic. They can be strong willed if they have found an interesting scent that they would like to pursue and they can tend to take longer than some breeds to train. Once a Bloodhounds has caught an interesting scent they are nose down and tail up and they could be gone for hours. The Bloodhound has such a strong pack instinct that they can suffer emotionally if left alone or locked away for hours at a time. Bloodhounds also require extensive exposure and socialization to people and unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can give way to shyness, suspiciousness, or occasionally aggression, which are all difficult to live with. Bloodhounds are independent and have a mind of their own. They are definitely not in the easy category to raise and train. Most Bloodhounds are blatantly stubborn. They can be manipulative, and sometimes show dominance. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

• Weight: 33 to 50 kg (80 to 110 lbs), though some individuals weigh as much as 72 kg (160 lb).

Click For - Bloodhound Pictures