| Bloodhounds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Bloodhound personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Bloodhound, including these excerpts:
"The AKC Standard says, "The expression is noble and dignified, and characterized by solemnity, wisdom, and power."
Though gentle and easygoing, even somewhat bumbling, the Bloodhound is not the lazy, lie-around dog he is often portrayed to be on TV.
This big breed requires plenty of space and safe areas where he can romp and ramble every day.
A leash and/or fence is mandatory, because if his tremendous nose locks on to a fascinating scent, his ears turn off and it is almost impossible to regain his attention. Bloodhounds will trail scents for miles and miles, until they are hit by a car.
Though generally good-natured and gregarious with people and other animals, some individuals can be aggressive with other dogs of the same sex.
His great strength and stubbornness call for a confident owner who knows how to enforce rules in an assertive (yet not harsh) manner. This kindly, sensitive breed should never be treated roughly.
Bloodhounds are very slow to mature, so your patience and firmness need to extend over several years.
His tendency to chew and swallow anything that fits in his mouth may send you both to the veterinary emergency room at some point.
The Bloodhound can be possessive of his food and toys, a potential problem around children and other pets."
History
This ancient scenthound originated in Europe, where he was kept "of pure blood" (bred only to others of his type) and owned by aristocratic "bluebloods." Hence the name blooded hound.
Size
24-29 inches and 90-130 lbs |
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Bloodhounds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is large, rugged, and powerful, with a houndy appearance (loose skin and long hanging ears)
- Has a short easy-care coat
- Has a dignified, solemn, "good old boy" expression
- Loves the great outdoors and thrives on vigorous activities
- Can save lives by finding lost people
A Bloodhound may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- A very large dog who takes up a lot of space in your house and car
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
- Shyness or suspiciousness toward strangers, when not socialized enough
- Aggression toward other animals
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Slowness to housebreak
- LOUD baying
- Shedding
- A distinctive "houndy" odor on their skin and coat
- Drooling and slobbering
- Serious health problems and a short lifespan
A Bloodhound may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Bloodhound... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Bloodhounds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by baying and destructive chewing. Bored Bloodhounds can turn your house and yard inside out in a single day.
| I strongly recommend that Bloodhound owners join their local tracking club and get their magnificent hounds involved in this potentially lifesaving activity. Bloodhounds were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (sniffing scents, chasing things that run, exploring, baying) can be a nuisance in a normal household setting. Trying to suppress these "hardwired" behaviors, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Bounciness. Young Bloodhounds (up to about two years old) can be bulls in a china shop. When they romp and jump, they do so with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.
| If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Bloodhound puppies. The temptation to play roughly is too strong in many young Bloodhounds. |
- Providing enough socialization. Bloodhounds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness, suspiciousness, or occasionally aggression, which are all difficult to live with.
- Animal aggression. Bloodhounds are seldom used for hunting any more, but some individuals still have strong instincts to chase and seize fleeing creatures. Some Bloodhounds are dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. If anything goes wrong in the breeding, socializing, training, handling, or management of this breed, it is capable of injuring or killing other animals.
- Stubbornness. Bloodhounds are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. Most Bloodhounds are extremely stubborn. They can be manipulative, and some are dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
| To teach your Bloodhound to listen to you, "Respect Training" is mandatory. My Bloodhound Training Page discusses the program you need. |
- Confinement. To keep your Bloodhound in, fences should be high, with wire sunk into the ground along the fence line to thwart digging.
| Bloodhounds cannot be trusted off-leash. They will take off -- oblivious to your frantic shouts -- after anything that emits an odor or runs. |
- Housebreaking. Bloodhounds tend to resist being told what to do, and housebreaking is no exception. Expect four to six months of consistent crate training.
- Noise. Bloodhounds should never be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. Their deep voice is extremely LOUD and carries a long way. Their baying will have your neighbors calling the cops to report the nuisance -- or quietly letting your Bloodhound out of his yard so he'll wander away.
- Shedding and houndy odor. Bloodhounds shed more than you might think. Their short, coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting. Also note that Bloodhounds have a distinctive "doggy" odor to their skin and coat that some people find offensive.
- Slobbering. Most people are not prepared for how much Bloodhounds slobber and drool, especially after eating and drinking. You will be toweling saliva and slime off your clothes, furniture, and walls.
- Serious health problems. From hip problems to heart disease to stomach disorders, Bloodhounds are risky in the health department.
| Frankly, most Bloodhounds are "too much dog" for the average household. Very few people really have the knowledge, facilities, or skills necessary to manage this breed, and very few people can provide the tracking and trailing work that keeps him most satisfied. |
| Not all Bloodhounds are alike! |
- There are energetic Bloodhounds, and placid Bloodhounds.
- Hard-headed Bloodhounds, and sweet-natured Bloodhounds.
- Serious Bloodhounds, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Bloodhounds, and Bloodhounds who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Bloodhound puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Bloodhound... |
There are plenty of adult Bloodhounds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2008 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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