Bloodhound

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Bloodhound

Canis lupus

Last updated: May 16, 2022
Verified by: IMP
Image Credit Pleple2000 / Creative Commons

Affectionate, gentle and even-tempered!

Bloodhound Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
Scientific Name
Canis lupus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Bloodhound Conservation Status

Bloodhound Locations

Bloodhound Locations


Bloodhound Facts

Temperament
Kind, patient and noble
Training
Should be trained from an early age due to their large size
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
7
Common Name
Bloodhound
Slogan
Affectionate, gentle and even-tempered!
Group
Hound

Bloodhound Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Black
  • Tan
Skin Type
Hair

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Bloodhound as a Pet:

General Health
Energy Level
Shedability
Trainability
Intelligence
Tendency to Chew
Size
Family and kid friendliness
Yappiness / Barking
Moderate
Separation Anxiety
Moderate
Preferred Temperature
Average climate
Exercise Needs
High
Friendly With Other Dogs
Moderate
Pure bred cost to own
$700
Dog group
Hound
Male weight
90-110 lbs
Female weight
79-99 lbs

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Bloodhounds are large dogs that were originally bred in medieval France for hunting deer and wild boar. Later, they were also used for tracking down people.

These dogs are also believed to be the descendants of hounds that were kept at Saint-Hubert in Belgium, which is why it is commonly known as ‘le chien de Saint-Hubert’ among French speakers.

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These dogs are very intelligent and have an extremely well sense of smell which has also helped these dogs earn in the search and rescue department of the law and enforcement arena. They are also known to be highly active and have a unique appearance. Other than that, they are also known to be very kind and affectionate. These dogs are usually purebred and can often be found in adoption shelters and rescue groups.

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Initially, there was confusion over whether bloodhounds and sleuth hounds were the same. However, while bloodhounds are known to be swift, sleuth hounds are known to be slow and lazy. Sleuth hounds were known to be the Scottish counterparts of bloodhounds.

Three Pros and Cons of Owning a Bloodhound

For anyone that is considering adopting a this breed, you should know that these animals come with a range of pros and cons — much like any other animal. Some of them are:



Pros!Cons!
Affectionate in nature

These dogs are known to have an affectionate and gentle nature which makes them even more desirable by people. They are very loving and friendly towards their owners.
Clumsy

These dogs are very clumsy and owning them could sometimes cause some problems as they can very well create chaos around the house.
Tracker dogs

These dogs are best known as tracker dogs and were used in earlier times to track down people and to hunt deer and wild boar. They also have a heightened sense of smell – making these dogs a desirable option to adopt.
Not fit for young children and older adults

These dogs are usually only suitable for physically fit people who can handle large size dogs and the energy that usually comes with them.
Tracking companion

The above-mentioned point also makes it an amazing tracking companion. Hunters, fishermen, and other outdoorsy families would be an ideal match for a bloodhound.
Stubborn

This breed is stubborn and it can sometimes be difficult for the owners to maintain a grip over them.

Kuznetsov Alexey/Shutterstock.com

Bloodhound Size and Weight

Bloodhounds are large and sturdy dogs and were originally bred for hunting deer and wild boar. They can also very keenly sense of smells and are often also used to track people.

Health and Entertainment for your Bloodhound

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The female of the species are usually 23 to 25 inches in height while the males are 25 to 27 inches. Females weigh about 36 to 45 kgs while the males weigh 41 to 50 kgs.

HeightWeight
Male25 to 27 inches tall90 to 110 lbs., fully grown
Female23 to 25 inches tall79 to 99 lbs., fully grown

Bloodhound Common Health Issues

Bloodhounds are generally known to be a very healthy breed of dogs. They usually have a lifespan of around 10 to 12 years. However, like any other living creature, they are not completely safe from diseases.

These dogs usually suffer from hip dysplasia which is an abnormal formation of the hip muscles, elbow dysplasia which is the abnormal formation of the elbow bones, and bloating which might lead to stomach-related conditions and could be due to indigestion and/or other underlying conditions.

Other than that, there are other problems like heart conditions and eye conditions like patellar luxation, cataracts, and persistent pupillary membranes that the bloodhounds suffer from.

Therefore, the common health problems that bloodhounds suffer from include:

  • Hip dysplasia
  • Elbow dysplasia
  • Bloating
  • Heart conditions
  • Eye conditions

Bloodhound Temperament

Bloodhounds are gentle and patient and are known to be noble dogs. These dogs are also known to be especially great with children and are also patient enough to let young children get all over them.

Even though the bloodhounds are very well mannered, they are independent and very determined. These dogs are also known to make individual decisions – free of anybody else – which usually happens when they sense a particular scent.

They are also known to make melodious music noises like howling and whining noises and are known to be one of the most melodious dog breeds.

How to Take Care of a Bloodhound

To be able to own a pet, it is important to know how to take care of them. Here are a few things you should take care of Bloodhounds.

The Best Dog Food for Bloodhounds

The adult bloodhounds usually need about 18 percent of protein and five percent of fat. The common foods that you can feed to your bloodhound can include chicken, salmon, vegetables, fish, and brown rice.

However, bloodhound puppies should usually be fed dry dog food, chicken, sweet potato, and other large breed puppy foods which ultimately help in their overall growth and development.

Since this breed can struggle with heart conditions, steer clear of the legumes like peas in many dog foods that have been linked to heart failure.

To address their dietary needs, A-Z Animals believes the best dog food for Bloodhounds is Wellness CORE Digestive Health Dry Dog Food with Wholesome Grains, Real Meat & Brown Rice, Sensitive Stomach Dog Food, Easily Digestible, Natural.

This formula is designed for smooth digestion, so the kibble is coated in probiotics for the microbiomes of dogs like Bloodhounds prone to bloat. On top of digestive enzymes, the real fish is a natural source of omega 3s which behave like antioxidants. The taurine has the dual benefits of aiding in both heart and eye health.

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Bloodhound Maintenance and Grooming

Bloodhounds usually do not require much maintenance and grooming except regular uptake of their ears and coat. They have been bathed only three to four times a year. However, whenever that is done, it is always advisable that the bathing is done outside as there is a chance that they can slip and hurt themselves indoors.

However, their ears need regular grooming It is always better to clean your bloodhound’s ears once a week as it can become a breeding ground for bacteria and other infections. Other than that, you should also brush your bloodhound’s fur once a week to remove the dead coat.

Bloodhound Training

Even though bloodhounds are known to be tracker dogs and engage in a lot of physical exercises, they are often testing while training.

They are intelligent and therefore one would often think that they are easy to train. However, it requires a lot of time and patience to get them to start doing it because of their stubborn nature.

However, once they start following their owner’s lead, they just need gentle reminding until the behaviors become commonplace.

Bloodhound Exercise

Bloodhounds require a good amount of exercise. These dogs need about two hours of physical activity every day to keep them fit and satisfied. However, sometimes this alone cannot be enough.

Sometimes, for the sake of the bloodhound’s mental peace, they require to be taken outside for walks which helps them keep destructive and aggressive behaviors at bay.

Bloodhound Puppies

Bloodhound puppies should be taken extra care of since they are fragile and delicate during their initial days and/or months. However, as they grow up, a more relaxed care routine can be put in place.

Bloodhound puppies usually need to be fed chicken, sweet potatoes, and other large breed puppy food that helps in their growth and development.

Ermolaev Alexander/Shutterstock.com

Bloodhound and Children

Bloodhounds are known to be very affectionate and loving and are especially great with children. They are also very patient and often allow young children to climb and get all over them.

Dogs Similar to Bloodhounds

Several dogs are like Bloodhounds. Some of them are:

1. Greyhound: While the Greyhound has a much slimmer body, they both can reach an average of two feet tall. Both are excellent companions for children and families, and they are even good with friendly strangers.

2. Beagle: Beagles have about the same lifespan as a beagle, and both are gentle enough to be around children. While the bloodhound requires a little more attention and care during grooming, the beagle is much easier to groom. Both are incredibly vocal, acting as an alarm system with their bark to protect the home.

3. American Foxhound: These dogs are used for hunting foxes based on their scent, using their skills of heightened smelling sense to get the job done – much like bloodhounds.

Famous Bloodhounds

There are many famous bloodhound dogs. Disney has integrated the floppy-eared dog as some of their most popular characters like Pluto, Trusty (from Lady and the Tramp), Bruno (from Cinderella), and Copper (from The Fox and the Hound). Disney even has used the bloodhound as the character Bumpus Hounds in their holiday film The Christmas Story.

On television, the bloodhound found its way onto the set of “The Beverly Hillbillies.” Duke, the dog of character Jed Clampett, was played by a bloodhound named Stretch.

Thanks to the bloodhound’s ability to track scents, the bloodhound’s most important roles have been that of a police dog, which they are commonly used as in France. Nick Carter, owned and handled by Captain G. V. Mullikin, is commonly considered to be the epitome of trailing for these dogs, and he is credited for 650 finds. One of these discoveries occurred after following a 12-day old trail.

Here are some of the common names for bloodhounds:

  • Magnum
  • Sumo
  • Tex
  • Burly
  • Thunder

Last update on 2022-07-06 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Bloodhound FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How much does a bloodhound cost to own?

Buying a bloodhound could cost you about $700. However, the maintenance could cost you anywhere between $1,400 to $5,500 per year.

Is the bloodhound good with kids?

Bloodhounds are great with kids and often show a lot of patience with the younger children. These dogs are known to be loving and affectionate.

How long does a bloodhound live?

Bloodhounds live 10 to 12 years on average.

Do bloodhounds make good house pets?

Yes, bloodhounds are known to make great family pets and are very loving and affectionate towards their owners.

Are bloodhounds aggressive?

No, bloodhounds are not usually aggressive.

Are bloodhounds smart?

Yes, bloodhounds are known to be a breed of intelligent, alert, and determined dogs.

Are Bloodhounds herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?

Bloodhounds are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.

What Kingdom do Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What class do Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the class Mammalia.

What phylum to Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the phylum Chordata.

What family do Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the family Canidae.

What order do Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the order Carnivora.

What genus do Bloodhounds belong to?

Bloodhounds belong to the genus Canis.

What type of covering do Bloodhounds have?

Bloodhounds are covered in Hair.

How many babies do Bloodhounds have?

The average number of babies a Bloodhound has is 7.

What is an interesting fact about Bloodhounds?

Bloodhounds are affectionate, gentle, and even-tempered!

What is the scientific name for the Bloodhound?

The scientific name for the Bloodhound is Canis lupus.

What are the differences between Bloodhounds and Coonhounds?

The main differences between bloodhounds and coonhounds are size, color, build, and their main uses. Bloodhounds are much heavier than coonhounds and have a heavier build. They also have wrinkled skin on their neck while coonhounds don’t. However, coonhounds have a much wider variety of colors than bloodhounds which are limited to three colors.

What’s the difference between a Bloodhound and a Basset Hound?

The Bloodhound is much larger than the Basset Hound, though they both live a similar lifespan. Additionally, the Basset Hound is less wrinkled compared to the average Bloodhound.

Sources
  1. Dogtime.com, Available here: https://dogtime.com/dog-breeds/bloodhound#/slide/1
  2. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodhound
  3. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleuth_hound
  4. DogBreeds911.com, Available here: https://www.dogbreeds911.com/large-dog-breeds-bloodhound.html
  5. Embrace Pet Insurance, Available here: https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/dog-breeds/bloodhound
  6. Hill’s, Available here: https://www.hillspet.com/dog-care/dog-breeds/bloodhound
  7. Purina, Available here: https://www.purina.com/dogs/dog-breeds/bloodhound
  8. Bloodhound Information UK, Available here: http://www.bloodhoundinformationuk.co.uk/bloodhound-maintenance
  9. The Nest, Available here: https://pets.thenest.com/care-bloodhounds-5586.html
  10. Bloodhound Man Trackers, Available here: https://www.bloodhoundmantrackers.org/bloodhound-training.html
  11. Borrow My Doggy, Available here: https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/doggypedia/guide-to-dog-breeds/bloodhound-information-guide
  12. Care.com, Available here: https://www.care.com/family-pet-guide-dogs-hounds-bloodhound-p1104-q168381.html
  13. The Paws, Available here: https://www.thepaws.net/90-best-bloodhound-dog-names/

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