Bloodhound Dog Breed

History

Known as the father of all scent hounds, Bloodhounds are believed to have originated from Western Europe, first developed in France by the monks of Abbey St. Hubert during the 12th century. They were highly prized by these monks because of their strength, stamina, and dignified appearance. The breed was renamed Chien St. Hubert to Bloodhound in the 14th century. They were given this name due to their pure bloodlines.

For many years, Bloodhounds worked together with hunters tracking both humans and animals in difficult terrains and environments. In fact, according to Medieval stories, these dogs were used to track both Robert the Bruce and William Wallace when they fled from their enemies. In Scotland, Bloodhounds were referred to as Sleuth Hounds and used to seek out cattle thieves up until the end of the 16^th century.

More recently, they have also assisted with drug searches because of their impressive sense of smell, which is estimated to be 3 million times stronger than a human’s sense of smell!

The first records of these dogs date from around the 13th century on English shores, but the breed may have been around for a lot longer than that. Robert Boyle, a scientist, wrote a credited paper by the 17th century describing Bloodhounds’ traits and their effectiveness in the field. Boyle was impressed by their skills at tracking down prey with their scenting skills. However, fox hunting with Beagles became popular, so the sport of deer hunting declined together with the popularity of the Bloodhounds. During World War II, Bloodhounds nearly died out all together in Britain. Many were exported to North America and Europe, however, thanks to the dedication of several breed enthusiasts, the Bloodhound return to the UK in the 20^th century as imports and have been steadily increasing in popularity since then.

Nowadays, these dignified dogs are still highly prized for their tracking abilities. They also make wonderful canine companions for individuals with active lifestyles, who are willing to put plenty of effort into training.

Personality

Affectionate by nature, Bloodhounds are gentle, calm, sensitive, and a little reserved. They are known to be incredibly patient with children which makes them great family pets for the right owners. Saying that, these dogs are also very independent-minded, stubborn, and determined so consistent training is a must to get the most out of these dogs. Don’t forget to offer them plenty of opportunities to exercise and keep their sharp minds stimulated with regular games, puzzles, and fun outings.

Bloodhounds are gentle giants. However, there are a few drawbacks to sharing a home with these dogs that you need to be aware of. They are known to be big droolers and snore loudly, however, many owners find these traits endearing! These dogs are not big barkers, only vocalising when needed. But they do have a very distinct low, rich, and deep bark. They have quite a wide vocal repertoire compared to other dog breeds which include whines, bays, and howls, especially when excited or bored.

Bloodhounds have a very strong prey drive so it’s best to keep them on a lead because they are likely to dash off if they catch a whiff of an enticing scent!

Coat & Care

Bloodhounds have short, naturally glossy coats which are relatively easy to maintain. They are also highly weather-resistant as water literally runs off the body, making them an ideal walking or jogging companion even when it is raining. Brush your dog's coat at least once a week with a hound glove or rubber grooming mitt to eliminate dead hairs and keep the coat in good condition. Just like all dog breeds, they shed more during Spring and Autumn so you may want to brush more often during these periods. Bathing should only be done once a month or so. Ensure you use a dog-specific shampoo to avoid drying out the skin.

An important routine that you have to do regularly is to check their ears to make sure they remain dry and free of any debris or foreign objects. Bloodhounds have long, drooping ears, and if moisture builds up inside the ear canal, it can lead to yeast infections, which can be hard to clear up. Clean their long ears using clean cotton or a cloth moistened with a vet-approved ear cleanser once a week or so. If you notice your dog regularly scratching their ears or shaking their head, speak to your vet because these are signs of infection.

Bloodhound’s nails must be trimmed once or twice a month or as needed. This way, their nails will remain in good physical shape. Ensure that you do this often to prevent very long nails as these can be painful and uncomfortable for your Bloodhound.

For their dental hygiene, aim to brush their teeth every day because this is the best way to prevent tooth and gum disease and bad breath in dogs. However, twice a week brushing is good enough to avoid bacteria and tartar build-up. Consult your vet on what products work best to clean their teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue.

Furthermore, inspect their whole body as you clean and groom them to check for any wounds, inflammations, rashes, and other signs that your Bloodhound may have an infection or other health condition. Make sure to check their eyes as well. They should be clean and clear without irritation, redness, or discharge.

Children & Other Pets

Bloodhounds tend to adore children and are generally extremely tolerant of them. However, their large size and high energy can cause them to accidentally knock over a young child. Therefore, all interactions between a Bloodhound and a child should be supervised at all times.

Bloodhounds are fairly easygoing so they can be friendly with other dogs and cats, especially if they have grown up together. Remember to introduce new pets gradually and in a controlled environment for best results.