Bloodhound

Their unparalleled cold scenting abilities were first fostered by the monks at the St. Hubert’s Monastery in Belgium. There is also evidence that the current Bloodhound was brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066.

This lovable hound adores attention from children and is so tolerant that youngsters may need to be reminded to give them a break. They are gentle and affectionate, yet may seem sensitive and shy to strangers. They are rarely aggressive towards other animals, although they may show anger towards dogs of the same sex if they feel threatened.

One of their more unique traits is the ability to track the human scent. Bloodhounds are widely used in rescue and criminal searches, being known to follow a trail for 100 miles. Evidence gathered from a police search using this breed is even admissible in a court of law. Due to this profound scenting ability they should never be left in an unfenced yard and can rarely be trusted off of their leash.

Standing 23-27 inches tall and weighing between 80-110 pounds, they do okay living in an apartment setting, but it is very important that they receive adequate exercise outdoors. These dogs can walk for hours on end and make wonderful hiking companions.

For those owners interested in breeding their hound, keep in mind that this dog produces an average of 8-10 pups per litter, with broods of 15 not uncommon.

Like many other hounds, the Bloodhound is prone to howling, snoring and drooling as well as inappropriate sniffing. Loose skin hangs in deep folds around their neck and without proper cleaning, skin fold dermatitis can result. Elbow and hip dysplasia are also of special concern.

With their smooth, short coat, which is usually seen in black and tan or red, they are considered an average shedder. Time expended on coat maintenance is minimal, with brushing or wiping needed only occasionally. They do however have a hound dog smell that some people find objectionable. Their life span is typical for a hound their size, 10-12 years.