Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a dog breed famous around the world in movies, TV shows, and more. These pups are known for their big-boned features, loose skin, and big floppy ears. They are expert trackers that make great family pets and love to be with their special people.
Breed Profile
Height
23 – 27
Inches
Weight
80 – 160
Pounds
Life Span
7 – 12
Years
Health
health
Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV or Bloat)
What is it?
When the dog's stomach dilates and neither gas nor food can be expelled.
Clinical Signs
Symptoms of bloat in Bloodhounds include anxiousness, looking at their abdomen, dry heaving, and a distended abdomen.
Treatment
If you notice signs of GDV in your Bloodhound, immediately take them to the vet. There, the dog will be stabilized and taken into surgery.
Eligible vet bill
$3,500
*Hypothetical reimbursement examples illustrate reimbursement of an eligible vet bill at the noted reimbursement rate, assuming the annual deductible had already been satisfied and the annual coverage limit has not yet been met. Annual deductible, co-insurance, benefit and coverage limits, and exclusions may apply. Eligibility may vary. Visit https://www.spotpetinsurance.ca/sample-policy for full terms. For Canada enrollments only, reimbursement rate is based on the pet's age.
Personality
Hard Working
The Bloodhound is a relentless tracker and will not give up once it finds a scent.
Gentle
This breed is full of gentle giants who are very easy-going and laid-back with others.
Affectionate
These dogs love to show love and be loved in return.
Lifetime Care
Coat
The Bloodhound’s coat is all fur and no hair.
Colors
This breed comes in the colors red, black, and liver.
Hypoallergenic
Grooming
Weekly brushing will keep your Bloodhound looking and feeling good.
Training
Due to their somewhat stubborn nature, the Bloodhound breed can be difficult to train.
Bloodhound Breed Information
The Bloodhound is a dutiful companion that dates to Medieval times in Belgium and France. These dogs are easily recognized by their big-boned bodies and large floppy ears. Their loose skin droops around their face to give them a very wise demeanor. They come in three colors, black, liver, and red.
These smart tracking dogs may be hard-working, but they’re well suited for family life as well. Gentle giants are great with kids and affectionate with their owners. Bloodhounds make great family pets.
Bloodhound Dogs: Introduction to the Breed
Adding any new animal to your home requires a lot of research and thought. Especially when that new animal can weigh up to 160 lbs. When buying a Bloodhound puppy, it’s important to think about more than just looks alone. Each dog breed has its unique personality and temperament. Take time to reflect on what personality traits will best fit your family and lifestyle. Here are a few things to know before buying a Bloodhound.
Bloodhound dogs are:
Easy-Going.
Stubborn.
Trackers.
The Bloodhound is a notoriously laid-back dog breed. This makes them great with kids. Plus, their affectionate personalities will be easy to love. All around, these pups are a good choice for families.
The Bloodhound can be a very confident dog thanks to its great tracking skills. However, this confidence can lead to stubbornness when it comes to obedience training. Fear not, this doesn’t make training impossible. With a patient and confident owner, the Bloodhound can be a perfectly compliant companion.
Speaking of great tracking skills, the Bloodhound will love sniffing around outside of the house. This means that sometimes they can get carried away in what they’re tracking and wander away from home. By giving your dog a fenced-in yard or electric collar, you can avoid losing track of your pet.
What are the Origins of the Bloodhound?
The Bloodhound breed originated in Belgium and France in Medieval times. There, it was originally used for hunting thanks to its strong nose and ability to track a scent tirelessly.
Today, it’s still used for hunting as well as working. Many police units use Bloodhounds to track escaped prisoners, missing people, or lost pets.
In 2022, a Bloodhound named Trumpet won Best in Show in the American Kennel Club Dog Show in New York. This was the first time the breed won the title.
What are the Risks for the Bloodhound?
The Bloodhound has a higher likelihood to get sick than other purebred dogs. The biggest health issue this breed struggles with is Gastric Dilation Volvulus. (GDV) or Bloat. This is when the dog's stomach dilates trapping food and gas inside. This is extremely painful for the dog. Thankfully, if recognized quickly, it can be treated by a licensed veterinarian.
Other health problems for the Bloodhound may include:
Eye problems.
Ear problems.
Skin problems.
The best thing you can do for your Bloodhound is to take care of them and help prevent illness. Taking the proper steps to avoid sickness now can help save you and your dog a lot of worry and trouble in the future.
Two ways to help prevent illness in Bloodhounds can include:
Recognizing symptoms of GVD.
Keeping up with proper care.
Unfortunately, Bloodhounds are at high risk of suffering from Gastric Dilation Volvulus. If you can properly spot the signs of this illness in your dog early on, you can help save them a lot of pain and potentially save their life. Keep an eye on your pup and notice if they are dry heaving, looking anxious, frequently looking at their abdomen, or have a distended abdomen. If you notice any of these signs, take your dog to the vet immediately. This can be life-threatening.
The Bloodhound’s floppy ears and loose skin are so cute! However, without the proper care, they can lead to a lot of health problems. Along with weekly brushing, take the time to clean your dog’s ears and face.
Sources:
Wikipedia
ACVS
AKC