Bloodhound - Purebred
Dogs and Puppies

Bloodhound

Considered the ultimate scent hound, these dogs should never be allowed to roam free without supervision or off leash in an unfenced area. This breed is also known to be very independent, tough, and often times a bit stubborn.

They may decide to follow a scent and disappear in an instant on the trail of that interesting scent. They can be an extremely focused and energetic tracker once they begin to trail a scent. It just takes a moment for these dogs to take off and be gone.

The Bloodhound is known to be the best tracker of all the scent hounds. And basically all dogs period! They are excellent at picking up a scent and following it relentlessly until the prey is located - but he does not kill the prey. This dog breed is a highly specialized dog specifically designed to perform one single task: tracking.

It has a long muzzle, drooping ears, and loose, wrinkled skin all about the face and head. These folds of the skin are said to help in holding scent particles in when the dog is tracking.

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Their skin is thin to the touch and extremely loose, this being more especially noticeable about the head and neck, where it hangs in deep folds to help hold scent while the dog is tracking. Bloodhound breeders have created a dog with the best nose in the world as well as a relentless, determined and task oriented mind-set. These dogs will follow a scent forever and ignore everything else, including you. This dog breed does drool and this further helps in the holding and processing of scent when the dog is on track. Their physical characteristics account for its superlative ability to follow a scent trail. They do need a lot of exercise. They have incredible stamina and can walk for hours on end. Their smooth, short haired coat is very easy to groom and maintain. Because of its large facial features and heavy wrinkles, they need to be groomed on daily basis. You must give extra cleaning care to the ears and the flaps around the eyes and gums. Clean their long, floppy ears regularly. They also have a tendency to howl and snore. Their large size ranges up to 27 inches tall and up to 110 pounds. Best home is indoors but with lots of outdoor exercise and a large backyard that is securely fenced in. This breed is definitely not for everyone but they are very good with children and other pets and he is also one of the most gentle dog breeds a family can have under their roof. They may chase smaller animals, however.

They love all the attention they receive from their families and make excellent family pets overall due to their mellow and cheerful temperament.

Country of origin: France
Lifespan: 6-10 years
Colors: Black and tan, liver and tan, red
Known health problems: Bloat, ectropion, elbow dysplasia, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, skin and ear infections
Famous Bloodhounds: "Knotty," one of the most awarded show Bloodhounds of all time; Ladybird on King of the Hill; Huckleberry Hound

Return from Bloodhound to AKC Hound Group