AKA: St. Hubert Hound, Chien de Saint-Hubert

Description: The Bloodhound is a big and powerful hound that is distinctive with its drooping ears and loose, wrinkled skin. This skin and its jowls give it a rather mournful expression. The folds of the skin are said to help in holding scent particles.

The Bloodhound has a short and fairly rough coat. The hair on the skull and ears is softer than on the rest of the body. The eyes are deeply set, with the lower eyelids falling away a little. Its nose is black and it has a long muzzle.

The Bloodhound’s body is very strong, as can be seen by its powerful shoulders and muscular back. The forelegs are straight, solid, muscular. The tail is carried in a curve above the topline of its back.

Dynamics: The Bloodhound is a mild-mannered and noble dog. It is a good companion to families and is great with children. It loves the attention it receives from children, although it is not wise to let the dog take more than the usual fun and pestering of children.

This breed needs a firm but gentle training. As a puppy it is very energetic and independent. Patience is needed in its training. The Bloodhound is an intelligent breed and will sometimes make their own decisions rather than follow yours.

The Bloodhound is a gentle and shy breed, rarely vicious and dominant. It might be aggressive towards other male dogs though. It can also become protective of its territory. It can have the tendency to howl, snore, and drool a lot. Other than these, the Bloodhound is a very friendly dog, welcoming and greeting visitors.

The Bloodhound is a very talented scent hound. It can follow any scent, even that of a human (which is rare). It is said that it can successfully follow trails that are over a hundred hours old. This breed is a certified tracker, and evidence made by it is admissible in the court of law.

Breed Group: Hound, Scenthound

Weight: males 90-110 lbs (41-50 kg), females 80-100 lbs (36-45 kg)

Height: males 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), females 23-25 inches (58-63 cm)

Color: The Bloodhound comes in black & tan, liver & tan, and red & tawny.

Country of Origin: The Bloodhound was perfectly bred by the monks of St. Hubert in Belgium. It is one of the ancient dog breeds, known to be more than a thousand years old.

Grooming: Grooming the Bloodhound is easy due to its short hair. A hand glove is preferred in grooming. Bathe only when necessary. Rubbing the coat with a rough towel or chamois is enough to make the coat shiny. Check and clean the ears regularly.

Activities: The Bloodhound needs a lot of exercises. It loves to run and has a very curious nose. When it comes to walking, running, or tracking, it seems to have an endless stamina.

Other Info: The Bloodhound has a life expectancy of 10-12 years. Like all dogs, it is prone to hip dysplasia and ear infections. This breed is known to bloat, so make sure to feed it two or three small meals a day instead of a large one. The Bloodhound is also susceptible to stomach cramps and entropion. The Bloodhound will do fine in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors occasionally and regularly exercised.