The Bloodhound is a delightful animal with a nose that is second to none. It follows its quarry but does not kill. Indeed, it is loved by children, who can accompany it on the lead, and is often kept as a family pet. Bloodhounds are popular show dogs, but individuals are still often called in by police for tracking purposes; a number have appeared in films.
Origin and history
The Bloodhound is said to have been brought to England by William the Conqueror in 1066 and to be one of the oldest and purest of hound breeds. Bloodhounds in the United Kingdom are popular show ring contenders.
Bloodhound Puppies
Good points
- Charming to look at
- Good with children
- Great tracker and trailer
- Ideal family pet if you have room
Take heed
- No drawbacks known
Size
Height dog 25-27in (63.5-68.5cm); bitch 23-25in (58.5-63.5cm). Weight: dog 90lb (41 kg); bitch 80lb (36kg).
Exercise
Needs plenty. These dogs have to gallop. Best to join a Bloodhound club if you become an owner, and take part in organized events.
Bloodhound Information
General appearance
The expression is noble and dignified and characterized by solemnity, wisdom and power. The gait is elastic, swinging and free, the stern being carried high, scimitar fashion
Colour
The colours are black and tan, liver and tan (red and tan) and red. The darker colours are sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-coloured hair and sometimes flecked with white.
Head and skull
The head is narrow in proportion to its length and long in proportiofl to the body, tapering only slightly from the temples to the muzzle. Thus (when viewed from above and in front) it has the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its length. In profile the upper outline of the skull is in nearly the same plane as that of the foreface. The length from the end of the nose to the stop (mid-way between the eyes) should not be less than that from the stop to the occipital protuberance (peak). The brows are not prominent, although owing to the deep-set eyes, they may have that appearance. The foreface is long, deep and of even width throughout with a square outline when seen in profile. The head is furnished with an amount of loose skin, which in nearly every position appears superabundant. More particularly, when the head is carried low, the skin falls into loose pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the forehead and sides of the face. The nostrils are large and open. In front, the lips fall squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface; behind they form deep, hanging flews, and, being continued into the pendant folds of loose skin about the neck, constitute the dewlap, which is very pronounced.
Body
The neck is long, and the shoulders are muscular. The back and loins are strong, the latter being deep and slightly arched. The ribs are well sprung, and the chest is well let down between the forelegs. The legs are straight and large in bone. The feet are strong and well knuckled up. The hocks are well bent and let down and squarely set. The gait is elastic, swinging and free.
Tail
The stern is long and thick, tapering to a point, set on high with a moderate amount of hair underneath. It should be carried scimitar fashion but not curled over the back or corkscrew at any time.
Feet
Should be strong and well knuckled up.
Bloodhound Feeding & Grooming
Grooming
Regular grooming with a hound glove. Frequent ear inspection is advocated.
Feeding
Recommended would be 20-330z(587-936g) of a branded, meaty product with biscuit added, or 3-5 cupfuls of a dry food, complete diet, mixed in the proportion of 1 cup of feed to V2 cup of hot or cold water.