Bloodhound
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For more information about the Bloodhound Click hereThe bloodhound is one of the largest dogs in the world. It has long, droopy ears with wrinkled skin on the face and sunken eyes, which gives it a dignified, mournful expression. At first glance, you would think that that your hound was sad about something.
The adult male bloodhound generally ranges between 25 to 27 inches in height. But some have been recorded to grow up to 32 inches. A fully grown bloodhound can weigh between 90 to 130 pounds. Female bloodhounds generally range between 23 and 25 inches in height, although some have reached up to 28 inches tall. The females also weigh an average of 80 to 100 pounds.
Brief History
The bloodhound has had a long and noble history. It was perfected, not created, by St. Hubert and monks in the 7th Century. Since then, these dogs have been associated with royalty. In 1066, William the Conqueror brought many hounds with him when he arrived in England. Modern hounds are believed to have descended from these dogs.
St. Hubert's monastery also continued to present the king of France with black and tan bloodhounds each year. In some French-speaking parts of Europe, this dog breed is known as St. Hubert hounds.
Initially, people used bloodhounds to track and hunt deer, buck, and other game. However, by the 16th Century. Law enforcement started using them to track people. Today, bloodhounds play a big role in search and rescue efforts. This ability is so highly regarded to the point that even trails performed by trained and proven bloodhounds are admissible in courts as evidence.
The Appearance of The Breed
The bloodhound is one of the most solid, powerful dog breeds in the world. They also have a strong back to help support their height and weight. The bloodhound has a long and narrow head that's in proportion to its height and length. It has an incredibly sensitive black nose that makes it perfect for tracking and hunting.
This breed has deeply sunken hazel and golden eyes, giving it a mournful appearance. Its sad look is due to the lower eyelids being dragged down by its heavy upper lids. Kids love to play around with its long drooping ears, wrinkled skin, and even the big folds around its head and neck area. Generally, these folds trap the scent particles of game or person being tracked.
With a very pronounced dewlap, its strong muscular legs, and tail that's always carried high, the bloodhound has one of the most distinctive looks. It has short, dense, and firm hair on its body and softer hair around the skull and ears, concluding with its occasional splash of white around the chest area, tip of the stern, and feet.
Specific Concerns
• Bloodhounds are known chewers - they will destroy anything that they can get their teeth around, including furniture.
• Hounds sometimes eat things that aren't food like laundry, kid's toys, and even electronics.
• They are not ideal for apartments.
• A fenced yard is important, so your hounds don't wander off after a scent.
• They require room to roam.
• They produce a lot of slobber.
• Bloodhounds must be leashed while on walks.
• They shed heavily
Coat Colors
Bloodhounds have a rather short coat that's hard to the touch. They carry one of three color combinations. These are black and tan, red, or liver and tan. Some black and tan hounds are predominantly black except for a few tan spots on their legs and face. Some hounds may also have flecks of white on their chest area, feet, or stern tip.
Grooming
For such a huge dog, the bloodhound's coat is low maintenance. Two or three brushings a week should help to keep their coats healthy and manage their shedding. The folds around the hound's face must also be gently wiped every day to prevent skin-fold dermatitis.
The hanging ears are also prone to infection when not groomed. You must wipe them clean using a gentle cleanser at least once a week and check for odor or redness. These could indicate infection. Occasionally trim your hound's nails as needed as well.
Personality
The bloodhound is a fairly gentle, noble, patient, and mild-mannered breed. This makes it one of the best breeds to have as pets, especially around children. This breed is known to be exceptionally tolerant to kids who clamber over him and tolerates other animals around it just as well.
Beneath its mild-mannered demeanor, this breed has deep streaks of independence and determination. This dog has been known to make its own decisions rather than obey its owner's commands. This occurs more often when the dog has caught wind of an interesting scent. In such a situation, the dog will be single-minded and determined to follow the trail.
Exercise Requirements
The bloodhound is a generally active dog breed, especially in its younger years. Therefore, long runs and walks are highly recommended to help satisfy their daily exercise needs. Allow you hound to explore closed spaces that it can fit its nose into and sniff.
Bloodhounds need frequent activity, or else they might wreak havoc in your household - chewing furniture, remote controls, and just about everything they can sink their teeth into. Boredom can also affect your hound's mental health. Ensure, therefore, that you take your dog out for frequent walks to give them the physical and mental support that they need to stay happy and healthy.
Bloodhound Lifespan
On average, the bloodhound lives for about 10 to 12 years. That's a bit short end for most dog breeds. But this short lifespan isn't unusual for breeds of this size. Like most large dogs, this breed does not live as long as most smaller breeds.
Feeding Recommendations
The bloodhound requires a substantial amount of food to help satisfy their nutritional needs. A hound's strong build and extremely high energy levels require that they eat between 4 to 8 cups of food each day, split into two meals. The amount of food also varies from one individual dog to the next. You must consider factors like age, size, metabolism, and overall activity level.
Like other dog breeds, ensure that the food you give your hound is high-quality and made from natural ingredients. You may also need to consult with a veterinarian on the most appropriate feeding plan for your pet.
Bloodhounds are also known to be extremely messy eaters. It may be best to choose a dish that's narrow in diameter. This prevents the hound's ears from getting into its food. To avoid obesity, ensure that you feed your hound no more than twice a day.
Hunting
For centuries, the bloodhound's powerful nose has been put to work for tracking and hunting game for noblemen across Europe. Bloodhounds have a wrinkled face, long ears, and drooping eyes that are believed to help draw odors. Today, its keen olfactory sense helps in several detective works as well as in search and rescue missions. In fact, if a trained police-trained bloodhound trailed someone, a thief or person of interest, that evidence would stand in most courts of law. Thus, the reason why they are commonly referred to as hunting dogs.
The bloodhound was given the name "blooded hounds" due to its carefully tended purebred ancestry. Originally, it was used as a leashed hound to hunt deer and boar.
The Bottom Line
The bloodhound is one of the oldest dog breeds you can find. Its unique set of features also make it one of the most desired breeds, especially among royalties. The bloodhound is the perfect dog to go hunting with and for tracking deer and other game.
Though tenacious while on a trail, a bloodhound is utterly a sweet, silly, and loving companion at home. It's the best pet to have for your kids.
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