Bloodhound

The Bloodhound, also known as the St. Hubert Hound, is a large dog breed that is easily recognizable by its saggy skin folds, hanging eyes, and long droopy ears. They are best known for their strong sense of smell and incredible tracking skills which make them a favorite among law enforcement and search & rescue teams. Bloodhounds can track the scent of a person across great distances – even if it’s several days old!

Although Bloodhounds have a lazy appearance, they are actually very active and enjoy being outdoors. They are also loving and affectionate with children and other animals. They’re also very stubborn, so they require a lot of training. With his sunken eyes, deeply furrowed face and loose jowls, the Bloodhound resembles someone who is in dire need of a facelift or a strong coffee.

Do not be deceived by the sad-eyed appearance of this dog; he is actually quite affectionate and funny. Despite his strong character, he is also reserved and sensitive. His name comes from the long line of ‘blooded’ hounds that have been kept by aristocrats for centuries because they are excellent at trailing game or people; today, these dogs are prized for their man-trailing ability.

The Bloodhound is an impressive-sized dog that typically weighs in at 80 to 115 pounds. In addition to being large, these dogs are also known for their production of copious amounts of drool. And when they shake their heads, the slobber goes flying – often landing on walls, furniture or clothing. Unfortunately, this tends to happen at the most inopportune times – like right after you’ve cleaned your house or have gotten dressed for a night out.

Although you might initially picture him as an outdoor dog, that’s not the case at all. Bloodhounds love their people and children especially, and will become sad without human interaction. They should have a fenced in yard to run around in, but when the family is home, the bloodhound should be with them.

Bloodhounds have easy-to-maintain short coats that come in colors black and tan, liver and tan, or red. They only need a quick brush weekly or to be wiped down. However, the wrinkles on their face require more attention; they must be cleaned daily and kept dry to avoid infection. It’s also necessary to wash their face after every meal and wipe around their mouth when they finish drinking water—otherwise they’ll shake their head vigorously and splash drool everywhere!

It’s essential to know that Bloodhounds also have a distinct musty smell. You won’t be able to get rid of it, no matter how many baths you give them, so accept it as part of living with this breed.

  • Furlyfe Rank
  • Group AKC Hound
  • Origin Belgium
  • Size Large
  • Weight 80 to 110 pounds
  • Coat Length Short
  • Coat Type Smooth
  • Colors Black & Tan, Liver & Tan, Red
  • Other Names St. Hubert Hound, Chien St. Hubert, Sleuth Hound
  • Temperament Affectionate, Even Tempered, Gentle, Stubborn, Independent

Breed Characteristics

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