A Bloodhound dog with a reddish-brown coat. The dog has characteristic loose, wrinkled skin and long, droopy ears on its face and neck.

Bloodhound Dog Breed Incredible Facts, Colors & History

Bloodhound Scientific Classification

Kingdom                   Animalia

Phylum                       Chordata

Class                            Mammalia

Order                          Carnivora

Family                           Canidae

Genus                             Canis

Scientific Name:            Canis lupus

Bloodhound Locations

Europe

Bloodhound Facts

Origin                       Belgium

Lifespan                  10 – 13 years

Coat                           Short

Exercise needs      30 – 60 minutes exercise daily

Grooming                weekly brushing

Color                           Brown, Black, Tan

Skin Type                 Hair

Group                       Hound

Diet                            Omnivore

Average Litter Size     7

Shed level                   Moderate

Temperament           Friendly

Height                         23 – 27 inches

Weight                        80 – 110 pounds

Pros and Cons of Having a Bloodhound

Pros

Affectionate in nature

Bloodhounds are famous for their affectionate and calm nature, which makes them more desirable.

Tracker dogs

They are the best-known tracker dogs, which were, in earlier times, used to track down people and for deer and wild boar hunting.

Cons

Clumsy

These dog breeds are clumsy and cause problems for their owners by creating chaos around the house.

Stubborn

The dog breed is stubborn and sometimes creates problems for their owners to control them.

Bloodhounds Dog Breed Origins

The exact origins of this dog breed have yet to be discovered, but it is considered the oldest dog breed still in existence today. The scholar Aelian first described it in the third century.

The breed was significantly refined in the Middle Ages, mainly by the monks who started breeding programs out of their monasteries. The earliest examples are likely from the Abbey of St. Hubert, which had terrific policies for producing scent hounds.

Although the breed was initially bred to track game like deer and wild boar, they have shifted to human-tracking masters, as likely they are now. From the 14th century, the breed appeared in numerous English writing examples, which specified his chase scenes.

The name Bloodhound, for the first time, started writing in 1930. The best probable term, the blooded hound, is frequently a means of noble blood.

They were used to produce other breeds, such as black and tan coonhounds. For a long time, the police department used them to track missing people. Although technology has developed, no one can create a nose like these dogs, which have a strong sense of smell.

Bloodhounds Personality

These quiet and affectionate dogs make them the top choice for families and friends. They are prominent for their peaceful and loving nature and display exceptional loyalty and dedication to their owners. They have a fantastic sense of smell and can be used as search and rescue dogs. Although they are generally friendly and good-natured, they can be independent thinkers, so they need a lot of patience and consistent training. They have strong scent abilities and are sometimes distracted, so bridle training is necessary.

Numerous factors, such as training, genetics, and socialization, influence the temperaments of these dogs. Puppies have excellent temperaments, are playful, and are open to connecting with people. If you want to buy a puppy, you should meet at least one of its parents. Usually, the mother allows you to check the temperaments you are comfortable with.

Early socialization is also necessary for all puppies. Exposing them to different people, environments, and experiences during the developing stages helps them become well-rounded adult dogs.

A bloodhound dog with large, floppy ears, lying on green grass, tilting its head slightly to the side with a curious expression.
Bloodhounds are affectionate and loving with other pets and children.

Bloodhound Size and Weight

Bloodhounds are large, solid dogs initially bred to hunt deer and wild boar. They have a durable sense of smell and frequently use it to track people.

Females measure 23 – 25 inches tall, while males measure 25 – 27 inches tall. Females weigh about 36 – 45kg, while males weigh 41 – 50kg.

Height and Weight of Males

Height (Male)                  25 – 27 inches tall

Weight (Male)               90 – 110lbs, fully mature

Height and Weight of Females

Height (Female)            23 – 25 inches tall

Weight (Female)          80 – 100lbs, fully mature

Bloodhound Food

The suggested daily food amount is 4 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals. Your dog’s food needs depend on various elements, such as age, metabolism, and activity level. All types of dogs have different food requirements; most active dogs require more food than less active dogs.

The quality of the dog food plays a significant role. Selecting the best quality dog food will also provide more nourishment and require less to meet your dog’s nutritional needs. To maintain your dog’s sight, measure his weight and feed him twice daily.

Bloodhound Maintenance and Grooming

The dog breed usually does not need much maintenance and grooming, but it also requires regular cleaning of the ears and coats. They only bathe three to four times a year. Bathing also takes place outdoors because there is a chance that they can slip and injure themselves indoors. The ears also need frequent grooming. Clean your dog’s ears once weekly as they become a breeding place for bacteria and other infections. Brush their fur once a week to remove the dead hairs.

Bloodhound Exercise

Bloodhounds need plenty of exercise. These dogs need at least two hours of physical activity daily to remain fit and healthy. In some cases, the physical activity is not enough, and they require other playing activities to boost their energy level.

For the sake of mental peace, these dogs need to be taken outside for a walk, which helps to keep destructive and violent behavior at haven.

A brown Bloodhound dog on a grassy lawn. The dog has a muscular, sturdy body, loose skin, and long, drooping ears.
The Bloodhound needs at least two hours of physical activity daily.

Bloodhound Training

These are known to be tracker dogs. They are busy with many physical activities and will often test you while training. They are clever and obstinate and can endure even the most tolerant trainer.

They start following the owner’s advice. They need gentle reminding until the behavior becomes routine.

Bloodhound Puppies

The puppies need extra care as they are crumbly and gentle during their early days or months. However, a regular care routine can be applied when they grow up. The puppies usually need to be fed chicken and sweet potatoes, which helps their growth and development. It is essential to start training and grooming earlier to give your puppy time to become familiar with those routines.

Bloodhound Dog Breed Health

Like other dog breeds, they are prone to many diseases, although everyone will not develop them. If you are choosing this breed, it is essential to be aware of these problems and choose a reputable breeder who gives health clearances for both the puppy’s parents.

Hip Dysplasia

It is a heredity disease in which the thighbone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint, causing dog pain. Affected dogs should not be able to breed.

Elbow Dysplasia

This is a common disease in large-breed dogs. It causes abnormal growth rates of bones in the elbow joint and pain and lameness in dogs.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is a disease caused by the deficiency of thyroid hormones; it causes various signs such as infertility, obesity, and mental dullness.

Ear Infections

The long ears of this breed often catch debris, dirt, and bacteria. Checking and cleaning your dog’s ears regularly also lessens the chances of infections.

Bloodhound Popular Names

  • Thunder
  • Burly
  • Sumo
  • Magnum

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is Bloodhound a good family dog?

They are pack dogs and also like the company of other dogs and children, especially when introduced at an earlier age. With the appropriate family, they can be the best family dog.

What is the lifespan of a Bloodhound?

Because of its larger size, the dog breed lives sensibly long lives. The typical lifespan of these dogs is 10 – 13 years. If you get one of these dogs when they are still puppies, you can expect this breed to live for a decade.

Are Bloodhounds high-maintenance dogs?

These are incredible dogs that are friendly and can make wonderful family pets. They develop fine with children and other pets. However, their size, energy level, and grooming needs may require too much maintenance for some pet owners.

What are the food requirements of Bloodhounds?

The suggested daily food amount is 4 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals. Your dog’s food desires depend on numerous aspects, such as age, metabolism, and activity level. All types of dogs have different food requirements; most active dogs require more food than less active dogs.

How much does a Bloodhound cost to own?

The average price of a puppy is about $700. If you buy from a reputable breeder, they charge an extra amount. However, the annual maintenance of these dogs is between $1,400 and $5,500.

Are Bloodhounds intelligent?

These peaceful and devoted dogs make the finest choice for families and buddies. They are famous for their quiet, calm, affectionate nature and show extraordinary fidelity and devotion to their owners. They have an incredible sense of smell and can be used as search and rescue dogs.

Do Bloodhounds have health problems?

Like other dog breeds, they are prone to many diseases, although everyone will not develop them. These include elbow and hip dysplasia, allergies, cataracts, and hypothyroidism. If you are choosing this breed, it is essential to be aware of these problems and choose a reputable breeder who gives health clearances to both the puppy’s parents.

Do Bloodhound dogs smell?

They have a fantastic capability of smell, and because of their sense, they can be used as search and rescue dogs. They use their odor to discover necessary things.

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