General Bloodhound Information
The following is a very sketchy and incomplete information page
on the Bloodhound.
At the bottom of this page is a list of resources that will give you more
information in greater detail.
What Is a Bloodhound?
History
Characteristics
Medical
Pet,
Trail or Show?
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Interested?
Other
Resources
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What Is a Bloodhound
?
Bloodhounds are a very large breed with the males often weighing
up to 130 lbs. and the females being somewhat smaller. They can reach the
height of 23" to 30" at the shoulders. They have a wrinkled face
with pronounced lips and throat giving them a solemn expression. The coat
is short. Colors are black and tan, red or liver and tan. The eyes are deep
sunken and the lids form a diamond shape. The skin may pull the lower eyelids
down giving that "morning after" look. The ears hang low and are
long and soft. The neck is long. The shoulders should be muscular and sloped
back. The chest should be deep with the ribs well sprung.
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History
The Bloodhound is an ancient breed. The most widely accepted
origin being that they were developed by the St. Hubert monks in the 7th
century. The term Bloodhound is derived from the term "blooded hound"
meaning a hound of pure breeding. They were used as large game hunters until
much later. It was not until the 16th century that the Bloodhound was used
to track humans. Mantrailing has enjoyed a steady increase in modern day
law enforcement and search and rescue. Trails performed by proven trailing
Bloodhounds are permissible in court.
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Characteristics
Bloodhounds are not for everyone. They are champion slobber
slingers and will decorate your walls, furniture, pictures, knickknacks
and clothes with the slimy, shiny stuff in no time. Their tails are at coffee
table height and can clear it with one sweep. They cannot be off lead when
outside of a fenced area as their nose will guide them into the paths of
cars, over cliffs or into trees and they seem to lose their hearing when
on a scent. They can consume enormous amounts of food. They can break your
pocket book in vet bills. And they have relatively short life spans (usually
8-12 years with most at the lower end).
All puppies are destructive and Bloodhounds are larger than most and remain
puppies until 18 months or longer when their brain cells finally begin to
kick in. As a result they can be more energetic and creative in their destruction
for a longer period of time.
Bloodhounds are normally very friendly and often get along well with children
once they learn how to handle their size. They become very attached to their
people and once they have adopted you, they do not take well to changing
families. They require a lot of exercise and thus need a large fenced area.
Although they are not normally incessant barkers they have a very melodious
bay that may sound like music to your ears but more like a cow in severe
pain in the living room of your neighbors. They make excellent watchdogs
but will not be the choice for a guard dog.
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Medical
Bloodhounds have some medical problems commonly found in many
other breeds. Some of the more serious being hip dysplasia, bloat and torsion
(a life threatening condition) and inward turned or outward turned eye lids--all
of which occur frequently in the breed and are considered hereditary. The
deep ear canals also require weekly cleaning to avoid infections.
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