Bloodhound Dog Breed

The Bloodhound dog breed is a world class Scenthound. Contrary to what some might believe, the name Bloodhound has nothing to do with how they might track or trail a human; rather, it is the name they were given because of their highly respected and carefully bred bloodline.

Their lineage can be traced back to Belgium and England in the middle ages when they were used to trail game. Their supreme sense of smell makes them excellent tools to fight crime, or find missing persons.

Bloodhound Dog Breed: Temperament

Bloodhounds are very calm inside dogs and tolerate the antics of children well. They have an awful habit of not listening to their owners commands, especially if they have caught a scent and are on the trail. You will just have to go along for the ride, and that may last hours if you allow it!

Bloodhound: Health

If you like to keep a very neat and tidy house, then this definitely is not the dog for you. They drool profusely, get food stuck in their facial crevasses, and on the tips of their ears. You can image how dog food might be strung about the house. They need a secure area to exercise in that is safe due to likelihood that they will keep on following a scent until they are lost if not supervised.

They can live outdoors when provided with sufficient shelter and bedding, and will need daily exercise to ensure they do not become frail or overweight. It is recommended that the ear canal and facial wrinkles are cleaned daily to prevent chronic health problems.

Issues that can adversely effect their well being include skin fold dermatitis, canine hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, gastric torsion, entropion, and ectropion. There are also some instances of hypothyroidism associated with the breed.

Most Bloodhounds live to see 7 years, with some reaching 10 years of age.