Bloodhound is a large dog, originally bred from wild boar and hunting deer believed to be originated from France. Some other names of Bloodhound dogs are Chien de St Hubert and St Hubert Hound. It belongs to the hound-dog group. This dog is known for its ability to discern human scent over long distances, and even after many days, and is mostly used by law enforcement.
As well as being loyal, Bloodhounds are calm, intelligent, fun-loving, affectionate, and easy to train. It makes them ideal for service dog companions. Bloodhounds need firm, consistent training, and enough amount of exercise. The nose of a Bloodhound has 40x more scent receptors than human beings, making the nose most sensitive. This dog breed has a strong sense of smell like a German Shepherd, which means that they can determine the problematic blood sugar level for diabetic patients. They are commonly used for search and rescue services.
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Appearances
The essential features of a Bloodhound are a long and wrinkled face with loose skin. They have huge, droopy eyes, floppy ears, and sturdy legs. Its height ranges from 60 centimeters to 70 centimeters at the shoulder, and they weigh about 35 to 50 kg. The Bloodhound’s coat is short, loose, and thin to touch. Some standard colors are liver and tan, black and tan, and red. Bloodhounds have a high tendency to drool, low tendency to snore, low tendency to dig, and moderate tendency to bark.
Height
Bloodhound reaches adulthood at the age of 1.5 years. The average height of a Bloodhound is 23 inches to 27 inches. The male Bloodhound dog stands 25 to 27 inches at the shoulder, and the female ones stand 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder.
Weight
Bloodhound puppy weighs about 12 pounds at its birth. The average weight of this breed is 78 to 110 pounds. The male Bloodhound weighs about 90 to 110 pounds while the female Bloodhound weighs 80 to 100 pounds.
The coat color of Bloodhound Dog
The Bloodhound‘s coat is short, loose, and thin to touch. Bloodhounds shed a lot, so brush their coat twice a week. Brushing promotes new hair growth and keeps the fur healthy. In the seventeenth century, bloodhounds were of all colors. Some standard colors are liver and tan, black and tan, and red. You can also see a small amount of white part in the feet, chest, and tail tip.
The life span of Bloodhound Dog
Bloodhound is a friendly independent pet with an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years.
Cost of the pup
The cost of a Bloodhound puppy varies depending on age, gender, coat color, place of origin, litter size, and more. There is a cost difference between purchasing and adopting this breed. The average cost of a Bloodhound puppy is $650. Adopting the Bloodhound puppy is less expensive than buying from the breeders. It usually costs around $100 to $300.
How to groom Bloodhound Dog?
Bloodhound dogs are an easy-going breed, and their coats are easy to care for. They shed profusely, mostly in spring and fall, so you should groom your pet regularly. Grooming a Bloodhound is an enjoyable bonding time among family. A good quality wire slicker brush, sharp pair of scissors, nail clippers, a steel or metal comb, and spray are some of the essential grooming suppliers of Bloodhound dog. All the grooming suppliers are readily available in dog stores or some supermarkets.
Some of the steps to groom your Bloodhound dog are:
1. Set Up Your Bloodhound Grooming Station
The first step in starting the grooming process is choosing a comfortable place to groom your Bloodhound. Some people select the place where they can sit to watch television and groom their dogs while watching T.V. Other people prefer to groom their pets in a bathroom, balcony, laundry room, or additional space to clean the floor afterward easily. Just select a place where you can clean the area quickly.
2. Inspecting
Begin each grooming session of your Bloodhound with a head to toe massage. Massaging a dog helps to loosen dead hair and skin. Pick up each foot, wiggle each toe, and gently rub each ear to make your feel pleased.
3. Prepare your Bloodhound dog‘s coat for grooming.
This step involves two processes, brushing and bathing your Bloodhound dog. Spend some extra time for the Bloodhound’s body where the fur is thick. Brush the coat from head to toe once a week with proper care. You can use a rubber curry brush to remove dead hairs. Remove matted hair with the help of a sharp pair of scissors. The brushing action simulates the natural oil in the skin and keeps their coat glistening.
If your Bloodhound is dirty and smelly; then, bath it before grooming. Bath your pet with a quality shampoo and warm water, once every two months. All bathing suppliers are readily available in dog stores and supermarkets. Do not use human shampoo, and frequent bathing your pet can dry out their skin. After bathing, comb, or brush your Bloodhound again to straighten out the coat.
4. Trim your Bloodhound dog‘s coat
Bloodhound has a short and loose coat. So, avoid trimming your Bloodhound’s entire skin and use a pair of thinning shears for fur trimming. Trim the coat of your pet from feet, leg, body, chest, neck, ears up to its tail. Do not trim the fur too short. Trim the length by tapering the coat from the base to its tip.
5. Complete the grooming of Bloodhound dog
The grooming of the Bloodhound is not complete without paying attention to its ears, eyes, and nails. If your pet’s ears look dirty, clean the visible parts with a cotton ball. Check your pet’s eyes daily for discharge or irritation. Use mineral oil and cotton ball to clean your dog’s eyes, but do not apply directly in the eyes. Take your time and cut your pet’s toenails. Use a good pair of dog nail trimmers for nail clipping. If you don’t want to bathe your pet, then apply dry shampoo. To complete the grooming process, remember to use flea and tick preventive.
Health issues in Bloodhound
The Bloodhound dogs are generally healthy, but they are prone to some health conditions like other breeds. Many health conditions and diseases are genetic. Not all Bloodhound dogs will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware of them if you’re getting this breed. Getting a Bloodhound is similar to having a child. If you are planning on buying or adopting golden, you need to take good care of it.
General health problems of Bloodhound.
Some general health issues found in Bloodhound are described below:
1. Infections
Bloodhounds are cheerful breeds, but they are still susceptible to viral and bacterial diseases like rabies, distemper, and parvo. These infections can be found in other dog breeds also. They are preventable through vaccines, which are recommended based on their age. If the disease is increasing day by day, visit the vet immediately.
2. Dental diseases
Dental disease is one of the common problems in Bloodhounds. It starts with the tartar build-up on the teeth that leads to infections of the teeth’ roots and gums. If you don’t treat this disease, then your pet may lose his/her teeth and damage his/her kidneys, heart, liver, and joints—this further results in shortening the life cycle of Bloodhound by one to three years.
3. Obesity
Obesity in the Bloodhound is a significant disease that causes joint problems, back pain, metabolic and digestive disorders, and heart disease. This problem can be treated by playing with your pet, taking for a walk, or brushing fur and teeth.
4. Parasites
Different kinds of bugs and worms can invade your Bloodhound dog‘s body inside and out. Fleas, ticks, and ear mites are some parasites that can infect the ear and skin of golden. Other pests such as roundworms, hookworms, and heartworms can get into the Bloodhund’s body by drinking unclean water, being bitten by an infected mosquito, or walking on contaminated soil. These parasites can cause pain, suffering, and even death. So, take preventive medicine to keep your pet healthy.
Genetic diseases of Bloodhounds
As mentioned above, some health issues are genetically affected. Some of them are described below:
1. Heart disease
Some of the Bloodhound dogs can be born with different heart defects. They inherit a heart problem called aortic stenosis, which affects the structure of the heart. It causes a partial obstruction to the blood flow, leaving the heart. Symptoms such as coughing, fainting, swollen belly, and tiredness are seen. If this problem is severe, your dog may have difficulty breathing, may faint, or run out of energy during exercise. They are also prone to a life-threatening heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (D.C.M.).
2. Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is one of the severe health conditions in dogs. It is an abnormal formation of the hip socket, which eventually causes arthritis and lameness of the hip joints. The word dysplasia refers to the faulty development of bones. Difficulty in jumping and running, lameness in the hind end, narrow stance, and loss in thigh muscles are symptoms of hip dysplasia. This health issue can be diagnosed with radiographs of the pelvis. There is no complete cure for this problem, but it can be controlled with medications, routine exercises, and physical home therapy. If the problem is not cured through medication, then surgery is considered.
3. Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia is another common cause of lameness in young dog’s forelimb. It is one of the heritable diseases in Bloodhound dogs. Difficulty in getting up, swollen joints, reluctance to go on walks or play are some of the causes of this illness. You can diagnose this health problem through radiographs. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from elbow dysplasia, visit the veterinarian as soon as possible. Treatment options for this disease depend on how severe your pet’s condition is. If the problem is mild, it can be controlled with medications, routine exercises, and physical home therapy. If the problem is not cured through medication, then surgery is considered. Most commonly, fiber optic scope or arthroscopy is used as a surgical method to treat this health illness.
4. Cancer
Cancer is determined as one of the leading causes of death in dogs, but Bloodhound Dogs have a much higher rate of cancer than other dog breeds. It is an inherited medical problem. Some kinds of cancer are treated through chemotherapy, while many diseases are cured by surgical removal. Hemangiosarcoma is a type of bleeding tumor, commonly form in the spleen. Lymphosarcoma is another type of cancer that makes the body form abnormal lymphocytes, and its symptoms include weight loss, swollen gland, and labored breathing. This type of cancer is treated through chemotherapy. Most tumors are surgically removed, and they look similar to skin lumps and lesions.
5. Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is a central health problem commonly seen in large dog breeds like Bloodhound dog. The word patella refers to the kneecap, and Luxation means dislocation of the bone. Simply Patellar Luxation means dislocation of the kneecap. This problem arises when the knee joint slides in and out of place, causing pain. The problem is diagnosed through palpation of the knee, and it can be treated through medications. If the problem is excessive, then surgery can be helped to cure this health problem.
How to care for your Bloodhound dog?
You should take special care if you are raising a Bloodhound as a pet. Make a schedule to care for and help your pet to stay healthy and live longer. Proper diet and exercise routine are also crucial for their health.
- Bloodhounds are heavy shedders, so; brush their short and loose coat from head to toe twice a week.
- Make sure you take good care of your pet. Bloodhounds have good teeth, so brush them at least twice a week to keep them perfect.
- Be sure your dog has access to clean and fresh water.
- The eyes and ears are sensitive organs, and they should be cleaned weekly.
- Trim your pets nail regularly using nail clippers.
- Bloodhounds are heavy shedders, so; brush their short and loose coat from head to toe twice a week.
- They have a passion for water, and swimming is a perfect form of exercise.
- Feed them a high-quality diet appropriate according to the age.
- They are an active breed. Exercise your dog regularly for about an hour, but do not overdo it.
- Do not let your Bloodhound puppy play on the harsh substances until the joins are fully formed.
- They are built for action, and they love outdoor games.
- Bloodhounds are mouthy, and they love having something to carry in their mouths. Try giving them a ball, newspaper, or a soft toy but not hard ones.
- They should be trained and socialized to get along with children.
- If your pet shows any kind of pain, then visit the vet as soon as possible.
- Keep your pet in good shape by measuring the amount of food.
Can the Bloodhound be mixed with other Breeds?
The answer to this question is yes. The purebred Bloodhounds are noble, diligent, and beautiful, and its mixes are amazing too. This versatile breed can be mixed with some other adorable kinds to make some pretty cross-breeds.
Some of the Bloodhound mixes are:
- Bloodahouli = Bloodhound x Catahoula mix
- Labloodhound = Bloodhound x Labrador Retriever mix
- Fila Brasileiro = Bloodhound x English Mastiff
The preferred food
Bloodhound dogs are prone to specific health issues, and choosing high-quality food may reduce the risk of health problems. The food for Bloodhound dogs should be made of high-quality natural ingredients. It should be rich in animal protein. Bloodhound dog is moderately active, so choose food with a low-level of fat. Keep your pet in good shape by measuring their food and feeding them properly in an appropriate amount twice a day. 4 to 8 cups of high-quality dry food is the recommended amount to feed your Bloodhound in a day. Feed your pet two times a day. The dog foods are available in Pet shops, online stores, or in some grocery stores.
Some of the best dog foods for Bloodhound dogs are listed below:
- Merrick BackCountry Raw Infused Large-Breed Recipe
- Merrick — Classic Real Chicken + Green Peas Recipe with Ancient Grains Adult Dry Dog Food
- American Journey Large-Breed Chicken & Sweet Potato Recipe
- Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream Grain-Free Dry Food
- NomNomNow Fresh Dog Food
- Natural Balance Original Ultra Whole-Body Health Large-Breed Recipe
- Natural Balance — L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Lamb Meal & Brown Rice Formula Dry Dog Food
- Blue Buffalo — Freedom Large Breed Adult Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
- Nutro — Wholesome Essentials Adult Farm-Raised Chicken, Brown Rice & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Wellness — CORE Grain-Free Original Deboned Turkey, Turkey Meal & Chicken Meal Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Victor Active Dog & Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dog Food
- Taste of the Wild — High Prairie Puppy Formula Grain-Free Dry Dog Food