Meet the Bloodhound: A Real Canine Super Sleuth
If you are looking for a completely docile dog that is sweet and charming, the bloodhound might be the perfect dog for you. Here is a look at everything you need to know about this canine detective!
Breed Snapshot
- Size Large dog (36-49kg); 63 – 68cm
- Coat Low maintenance dog that sheds once or twice a year, can be groomed at home
- Energy Moderate energy and should be walked daily for at least 30 minutes
- Lifespan 10 – 12 years
- Country of origin Mediterranean
- Breed type Part of the hound dog family, this dog is superb at tracking scents and will not stop until the person or object is found
- Other names Scent Hound
- Great breed for: Apartment Living or Home with yard, Families with kids, Search and rescue, Police departments
An Introduction to the Bloodhound
With roots that date back to the era of ancient Mediterranean civilizations, the bloodhound has always been regarded as nature’s detective. This dog has the best nose of any canine and will relentlessly track a scent once it has been picked up. Bloodhounds do not give up and they are the preferred tracking breed of police departments and search and rescue teams.
A bloodhound is a humble dog that does not get overly excited or rambunctious – it is a serious breed that knows he or she has a job to do. Bloodhounds are sweet and sensitive dogs who love to get attention from their owners. This breed is good around other dogs and can be a best friend to your children. This is a smart dog who knows what his or her duty is in this world.
What Does a Bloodhound Look Like?
Bloodhounds are most recognisable because of their droopy face and loose skin. This is a large breed dog and measures in at 63 – 68cm tall and 36 – 49kg in weight. While this dog would do alright in an apartment, they are best suited for homes with yards where they can sniff around and explore.
The Bloodhound has a short coat of moderately soft hair, and a whole bunch of extra skin. This dog has a humbler and serious face, a protruding snout, and giant floppy ears. This dog also has a drooping mouth and drools a lot because of this. When you look into the eyes of a Bloodhound, it is akin to gazing into the eyes of an old soul.
Bloodhounds typically have brown coloured fur, but you can find black dogs as well. This breed has tall and slender legs with a slender but muscular body, and a long tail.
The Work of a Bloodhound
Bloodhounds have been utilised by police departments and search and rescue teams for centuries, thanks to their ability to expertly track a scent. This breed is used to find lost children, hunt down criminals, and find elderly folks who have wandered off. Once this dog has been given a scent to follow, it will relentlessly search day and night until he or she finds the source of the scent. Bloodhounds are serious working dogs and nothing will make them lose focus once they have been given a sleuthing job to do. Their nose is unrivaled by any other dog or any technology.
How Do I Groom My Bloodhound?
Bloodhounds are a low maintenance dog and they do not require trips to the groomer unless you want to give your pet a doggy spa day! Simply brush your dog once a week to get rid of loose fur and dirt and to distribute oils around the skin. You can bathe your dog whenever he or she starts to smell “doggy.”
This dog has long floppy ears and it is necessary to clean its ears out with a special dog ear cleaning solution often so that he or she does not get ear infections. You should not swab out your dog’s ears as this can cause injury to your dog if you go too deep into the ear canal. Trim your dog’s nails when they get long and be sure to brush your dog’s teeth regularly to maintain good oral health.
How Do I Train My Bloodhound?
The Bloodhound can be a very stubborn dog, especially if it picks up on a scent that it wants to follow. Training your dog can be challenging because of this. Unless you have a lot of patience, you might want to consider enrolling your Bloodhound into a puppy obedience class with an expert trainer. Your dog will learn how to socialise with other dogs and other people besides his or her family. If you decide to hire a dog trainer to do the work for you, PetCloud can connect you with a reputable professional in your area.
You can reinforce your dog’s training at home, just be sure to use positive reinforcement techniques and provide you dog with a small treat for doing a good job. Bloodhounds do not respond well to aggressive training tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bloodhounds
What is the lifespan of a Bloodhound?
With the proper diet, plenty of exercise, and a loving family, your Bloodhound can live 10 -12 years, which is a long life for a big dog.
Do Bloodhounds get along with other pets?
Bloodhounds are docile dogs that get along with just about anyone. As long as you introduce your Bloodhound to your other pets when he or she is a puppy, your bloodhound will get along with your other pets.
Is a Bloodhound Hypoallergenic?
No, bloodhounds shed at least twice a year and this will send your pet allergies into a tailspin. It is best to avoid this breed if you have moderate to severe allergies.
Are they barkers?
Bloodhounds are quiet dogs and tend not to bark unless they are trying to alert you. This breed does not make a good guard dog as they are a friendly breed. For many Bloodhound Dog Pet Owners, Doggy Day Care is the perfect solution for company, enrichment, and socialisation during the day.
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