Bloodhound
Origin
The ancestry of the modern Bloodhound can be traced back to the monastery of St Huberts. These dogs were called 'Segusius' and were originally used to track wolves, big cats or deer, or to follow the trail of wounded game. When the Normans conquered England in 1066AD they introduced many of their dogs and the St Hubert Hound was one of those brought to England and became known as Bloodhounds; or to be more precise, the black and tan dogs were, the whites were called Talbot Hounds. The modern Bloodhound is not the identical dog of that time but is still called the Chien du St Hubert in Belgium. The first Bloodhound seen in the show-ring in England was in 1871.
Description
Easily recognisable because of their noble, wrinkly heads, droopy lower eyelids and long pendulous ears, Bloodhounds have powerful bodies and limbs which make them truly big dogs! They have short, smooth coats and move with free, elastic strides. Their voices are full, musical and sonorous.
| Size | Giant |
| Colour | Bloodhounds are usually black and tan, liver and tan and plain tan. |
| Coat Length | Short Smooth |
| Weight/Height Range | Bitches measure between 58 to 63cms at the withers and weigh between 36 to 45kgs, dogs measure between 63 to 69cms and weigh between 41 to 50kgs. |
| Ailments | This breed is relatively free from serious hereditary and congenital conditions, although hip and elbow dysplasia have been reported. The most common problems are eye-related due to the lower eyelids drooping, debris gathering and infections setting in. Owing to their long, pendant ears, infections are also common therein. This breed is also known to suffer from bloat and complications in bone growth. |
| Breed Classification | The Bloodhound belongs to the hound group and is the largest and most powerful of them all. They are used in tracking, as companions and seen in the show-ring. |
Feeding & Ownership
These dogs are very large eaters and it will cost around $10 per week to feed them.
| Food Cost | More than $20 |
Personality
These are gentle-natured, affectionate dogs who usually get on well with children and can live in harmony with other dogs and household pets. They are friendly and tenacious dogs who will welcome both wanted and unwanted visitors. Despite their size, they are not good guard dogs and would never dream of attacking. They have sweet and even temperaments and are the one of the most patient and kindest of dogs in the dogworld. Whilst quiet in the house, they can be very vocal outdoors. They are family dogs and do not like to be left alone.
| Intelligence | To succeed in training this breed, the new owner will need plenty of patience and consistency. Bloodhounds do have minds of their own but can be surprisingly sensitive. They are more profound than quick-witted. There are classes and trials for tracking and participation in this is to be recommended. |
| Energy | High |
| Suitability for Children | Medium |
| Tendency to Bark | Low |
| Overall Exercise Requirement | Because of their size and growth rate, do not over-exercise as puppies. Care must be taken in the first year to ensure their bones and joints are given a proper chance to grow. They have phenominal stamina and, as adults, will need plenty exercise. Make sure the garden is well-fenced as they are primarily tracking dogs, and, once on the trail of an enticing smell, will be desperate to find its source! Their sense of smell is said to be two million times greater than that of a human's! If not given sufficient exercise they can be boisterous! They will be about 3 years old before they reach full maturity. |
| Suitability as a Guard Dog | Low |
| Ease of Transportation | Medium |
| Level of Aggression | Low |
| Other Animal Compatibility | High |
Grooming
There is little grooming needed for this breed as the coat is short and smooth. A brush over once in a while will suffice to remove loose and dead hairs. No trimming is ever required. However, regular checks should be made of their ears and eyes to ensure early diagnosis of any infections.
| Grooming Requirements | Up to once a week |
| Amount of Hair Shed | Little |
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