Bloodhound Dog Breed Information - All About Dogs

Bloodhound

Bloodhound

Bloodhound

BLOODHOUND DOG BREED

Description:

The Bloodhound is one of the oldest breeds on Earth. His exact origins are not determined, but he was improved by Belgian monks and then brought to England and the United States. This is a hunting breed, but it is known for its unique ability to follow the trail. Since these dogs have a keen sense of smell, they are used by police and law enforcement all over the world to track escaped prisoners, missing people, lost children and lost pets. Today, Bloodhounds are precious companions.

Height: 23-27 inches  Weight: 80-110 pounds  Lifespan: 10-12 years

Characteristics:

The Bloodhound is quite cautious, calm and distrustful, but if given enough time to explore, he can be quite sociable. Dogs of this breed are wary of strangers yet never aggressive. Bloodhounds are eager to please and highly intelligent; therefore, they are extremely apt students. Comparable Breed: Basset Hound and Bullmastiff.

Character:

Bloodhounds are pleasant and very attached to their master. However, they can be very shy and unsociable, so dogs of this breed need proper socialization in early age. Bloodhounds tend to chase small animals living in the same house, but if properly socialized, they get along well with other dogs. The Bloodhound is patient with children, but since his long, pendulous ears are very sensitive, it is not recommended to leave them unattended.

Coat / Care:

The Bloodhound has very short and rigid coat which covers the entire body. The coat is more tender and soft on the head and ears, but pretty rough on the rest of the body. The Bloodhound requires minimal care, but his ears need to be cleaned regularly to prevent potential problems. The skin folds also require special attention in order to avoid accumulation of dirt, inflammation and drying. To remove excess hair, brush your pet with a stiff brush or rubber glove. Bloodhounds shed seasonally.

Health Problems:

The Bloodhound is generally healthy dog breed, but like all breeds, they’re prone to Hypothyroidism (Involves low levels of the hormone produced by the thyroid gland), Elbow Dysplasia, Hip Dysplasia, Ectropion, Entropion, Epilepsy, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat) and Fold Dermatitis. The Bloodhound has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

Training:

The Bloodhound is an extremely intelligent dog. However, his most distinctive trait is stubbornness, so training can be quite difficult. Due to the extreme sensitivity of this breed, it is recommended to apply moderate and gentle teaching methods. But if you really want to achieve significant success, you must be persistent. Bloodhounds rather slowly get used to obedience rules; nevertheless, after a continuous training, these animals make great companions.

Activity:

Bloodhounds need plenty of space so that they could run freely. Daily exercising is necessary in order to keep them in good shape, and due to their tendency to obesity, it is very important to monitor their diet. The Bloodhound enjoys daily walks, and if you can stimulate him physically, it is quite possible to keep him in a city apartment.

Bloodhound

Photo Credit: John Leslie/Flickr; Ⅿeagan/Flickr

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