The Bloodhound is an intelligent dog breed that has a sweet nature. Its tracking abilities have made it an important member of legal forces. If properly trained, the Bloodhound will bring joy and happiness to the household it resides in. Here's all you need to know about this dog breed:
Table of Contents
Bloodhound Appearance
The Bloodhound has a coat that is thin and loose. It hangs in deep folds around the head and neck. When the head hangs down, the skin shows loose folds. The Bloodhound can be found in many different colors such as black and tan, tan and liver, and red. It is a large dog with drooping ears, a long muzzle and a large head.
The male dog stands between 25 and 27 inches and weighs between 90 and 110 pounds, whereas the female dog ranges between 23 and 25 inches and weighs between 80 and 100 pounds.
Bloodhound Grooming
The Bloodhound shed seasonally. It is recommended that a blade is used to remove its excess hair during its shedding period. The dog’s skin is gentle and thin, so you have to be careful when brushing. The wrinkles have to be cleaned daily in order to prevent bacterial infections. They can be cleaned using a damp cloth and then dried. The flews (thick hanging lips of a bloodhound) also have to be cleaned after every meal.
The Bloodhounds ears are designed in a way that they can trap dirt, which can cause infections. Hence, it is important that they are cleaned on a weekly basis. To do this, an ear cleaner can be used which can be put inside the dog's ear.
Your Bloodhound also requires you to take care of its dental hygiene and nail care. It requires teeth brushing at least twice a week. Not brushing the teeth can result in the formation of tartar. Furthermore, the nails have to be trimmed after every month. If it makes a clicking sound while walking, this means the nails are too long.
The grooming has to begin from when the dog is a pup or else it won't be able to relax. The paws have to be handled frequently. Praise and reward the dog every time it listens to you during the grooming sessions.
Bloodhound Temperament
The Bloodhound is an affectionate animal that can be shy around strangers. It is stubborn but not quarrelsome. It likes to do things its own way yet will obey orders. This dog breed makes a good house and watch dog. Most Bloodhounds can be very vocal and will bark when excited.
The temperament of the Bloodhound depends on a number of things. This includes its training and how well it socializes.
Bloodhounds with a nice temperament are playful and get excited when meeting new people. Their training is what makes this happen. If properly trained at a young age, the Bloodhound will be open to socializing.
To know more about its temperament, it is important that you meet its parents. Temperament is passed on due to genetics.
It's better to have the Bloodhound exposed to different people at a young age. This will help it become a well-rounded dog. Socialization can be promoted by taking the pup out for walks and allowing it to meet strangers.
Bloodhound Training
Training the bloodhound should begin immediately after you bring it home. Training done in the earlier stages has a major impact on how the pup will turn out. If you want to place a collar on the pup, do it when it's young. The collar will be important for controlling the pup and should, therefore, be placed in the early stages.
Training should be facilitated by the collar, but make sure it's not tight. It is a sensitive breed, so kindness is essential while training it. Reward the dog every time it listens to you and praise it. With positive reinforcement, you can change your dog's behavior.
The Bloodhound is a very intelligent breed and should be given frequent training sessions. It is a quick learner if taught properly.
Bloodhound History
The history of the Bloodhound dates back to medieval Europe. The dog was first mentioned in a poem by Sir Humphrey de Bohun, the Earl of Hereford, in the 1300s. The poem praised the Bloodhound and described it as a careful hunter.
The name Bloodhound was given to the breed by the nobles and aristocrats of the time. The breed was used as a precious gift among the nobles, and this is how it made its way to England. It was after the French Revolution that this breed started to diminish in France, but it grew in importance in England.
England gave rise to the modern Bloodhound, and it also made its way to America. The Americans grew fond of these dogs and started breeding them. They rank 52 from among the 194 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Today, law enforcement agencies have employed the Bloodhound as a search dog.
Other names
Chien de Saint-Hubert, St. Hubert Hound, Sleuth hound