Bloodhound Information
Bloodhound history can be traced back more than 1,000
years, one of the oldest hound breeds. Contrary to what you see in the movies
bloodhounds are energetic, lovable, dignified, good natured,
goofy, tolerant, and affectionate.
The name 'bloodhound' actually means 'blooded hound' or of
noble or aristocratic blood.
Before you purchase a bloodhound, please understand that they were bred for a specific purpose - tracking and trailing. With 300 million scent receptors their nose is more powerful than any other dog breed (for example, German Shepherds have 225 million scent receptors) which is why they are commonly used by law enforcement, search and rescue teams, hunters, or private individuals who enjoy the sport of man-trailing.
Bloodhounds are large. They can stand over two feet high and weigh more than 100 pounds. They require exercise, attention, and training. A lot of consistent training! Bloodhounds are extremely intelligent and extremely stubborn. If you are not consistent with your training they will walk all over you! They slobber, eat things they shouldn't and some have a 'musty' odor. On their behalf, though, I must admit that our lab smells a whole lot worse than our hounds!
So why in the world would you want a bloodhound? If you are a hunter looking for a scent hound to find that deer that ran off, the bloodhound might be right for you. Bloodhounds are also prized by police departments, search and rescue teams, and private owners who enjoy the sport of man trailing knowing their dog might save a life if needed.
Bloodhounds can make great family pets, but there is a
lot to consider before getting one. Due to their large size
they will quickly outgrow your average house and need a
fenced yard in order to get plenty of exercise. A
fenced area is an absolute necessity. A loose
bloodhound is a dead bloodhound!
For the
right family, the bloodhound can make a wonderful companion.
With their large size they can tolerate rough-housing yet be
gentle and tolerant of kids. Bloodhounds are listed as
one of the
best dog
breeds for families. (In this photo I am getting
kisses from our Red girls. Layla on the left, then
Gwennie - 8 mo, and Belle - 10 mo. Excuse the silly
look on my face, I am merely protecting myself from the
tongue lashing. Ha ha!
For more information about bloodhounds, we suggest you do
your research. Purchase books written about
bloodhounds and check out
our links page for
bloodhound information found on the web. Additionally
we will be happy to put you in contact with other bloodhound
owners who can tell you what it is like to live with a
bloodhound.
Take your time looking for a puppy. Talk to and try to
visit several breeders. Go to a dog show, a field
trial, a meet the breed event. Learn about the dogs in the
pedigree. Ask for references and talk to owners of
your breeder's puppies. Contact the American
Bloodhound Club for a referral. Make sure the health
clearances are done and that the parents passed those tests,
and that your breeder offers a good breeder / buyer
agreement or contract. Don't settle for a 'cheap' pup
and don't be afraid to ask questions! It may take a
year or two to find the right puppy but the wait and a
little added cost for a quality puppy from a responsible
breeder will be worth it in
the end.