Bloodhound: A Brief Introduction to
the Breed
Bloodhound Dog History
The Bloodhound, also known as
St. Hubert’s Hound and
Chien de Saint-Hubert,
is a large and strong scent
hound breed with a long history. The origin of
these dogs is uncertain, but Saint Hubert of France, a
7th century monk, is often credited as the one who had
developed the breed. First used for hunting, from 16th
century and on bloodhounds have also been used for man
trailing (escaped criminals, missing persons) in which
they excel with their keen sense of smell – the keenest
of any breed of dog, according to Wikipedia.
Bloodhound Appearance
Adult male Bloodhounds weigh from 90 to 110 lb
(females 90 to 100 lb), average height is 26 inches for
males and 24 inches for females. Like many other large
breeds, Bloodhounds have inherently short life span,
only 10-12 years. The breed’s acceptable colors are
Blank and Tan, Liver and Tan, and Red (Ladybird, Hank
Hill’s dog from King of the Hill is a red
Bloodhound). The abundance of skin-folds around the head
and neck gives the breed an imposing, wise look, also
described as “dignified” and “noble.”
Bloodhound Temperament
When it comes to personality, Bloodhounds are gentle
giants: mild-tempered, friendly, very affectionate, and
very loyal to the owner. Their bond with the owner is so
strong that, when separated, adult Bloodhounds are known
to stop eating. Wikipedia notes that because of its
strong tracking instinct, the Bloodhound “can be
willful, and somewhat difficult to obedience train.”
However, these dogs are very sensitive to the owner’s
correction and praise, so the difficulty can be
overcome.
The Bloodhound is a watchdog, but not a guard dog,
despite the impressive size. According to The
American Bloodhound Club, “People who try to make
Bloodhounds into guard dogs end up with vicious,
unpredictable dogs – four-legged potential lawsuits in
their very own backyards.”
Is the Bloodhound the Right Breed For
You?
Bloodhounds can make great family pets, but there is
a lot to consider before getting one. The size of these
dogs is the number one concern: they will quickly
outgrow your average house and need a fenced yard to be
able to have plenty of exercise. For that same reason –
size – Bloodhounds need to be watched around small
children; they can easily knock a child down, without
meaning to, just by moving around. Bloodhounds are
slobbery and messy; they love rolling in stuff –
whatever kind of “stuff” they can find outside. The
goats of dogdom, Bloodhounds are not only chewers but
also eaters of things that are not supposed to be eaten,
which can require costly surgery. It you don’t mind all
that, you can give this breed a try. Remember though
that an adult Bloodhound will have great difficulties to
adjust to a new home, so if you do get one, it’d better
be for life.
Ready to add a Bloodhound puppy to your family?
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resources for potential Bloodhounden puppy buyers and seasoned a
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