Dog breed · Hound
Bloodhound
A giant scent hound with the most sensitive nose of any breed, used for centuries to track missing people over enormous distances. At home Bloodhounds are placid and affectionate, but a scent trail can override every other instinct.
Breed characteristics
- Group
- Hound
- Origin
- Belgium/France, developed in England
- Size
- Giant
- Weight
- 36–50 kg (80–110 lb)
- Height
- 58–69 cm
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Short, dense, loose-fitting wrinkled skin
- Temperament
- GentleDeterminedIndependent nose-drivenAffectionate
History
Descended from medieval European tracking hounds kept by monasteries, refined in England for law enforcement and search-and-rescue tracking work.
Appearance
A large, heavy-boned hound with loose, wrinkled skin, long pendulous ears and a deep, mournful expression.
Exercise and activity
An hour or more daily, ideally including tracking games; a securely fenced area is essential since a scent trail can lead a Bloodhound a long way, oblivious to recall.
Care and grooming
Clean facial folds and long ears regularly to prevent infection, and manage drool, which is considerable in this breed.
Health considerations
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat)
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Ectropion and entropion
- Bloat-related risk from deep chest conformation