Bloodhound
The greatest nose in dogdom — a trail once found is never forgotten.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 58–69 cm |
| Weight | 36–50 kg |
| Life expectancy | 8–10 years |
| Energy | Moderate-high — 60+ min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short, dense coat · black & tan, liver & tan, red |
| Group | Hound · FCI №84 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert bred this hound a thousand years ago to follow one scent to the exclusion of all else, and that single-mindedness defines it still: mild, patient and affectionate in the house, utterly deaf to you the moment its nose drops. It works with people willingly — it just doesn't take orders from them.
Habits & quirks
Nose-first navigation
Every walk is an investigation; the ground is a newspaper and it reads slowly.
The drool flick
One shake of that great head redecorates walls a surprising distance away.
Ear dunking
Those magnificent ears trail through water bowls, mud and dinner alike — they were bred to sweep scent toward the nose.
Selective deafness
It hears you perfectly; the trail is simply more interesting.
Care
| Containment | A high, secure fence and a lead everywhere else — a Bloodhound on a trail will follow it for miles without a backward glance. |
| Ears & wrinkles | Clean the deep ear canals and facial folds weekly to keep infections at bay. |
| Health | A deep-chested giant: feed calm, rested meals and know the emergency signs of bloat before you need them. |
| Exercise | An hour-plus daily, ideally with long-line trailing games — nose work satisfies it like nothing else. |
Common questions
Are Bloodhounds good family dogs?
Yes — gentle, patient and affectionate, but big and clumsy indoors and heavy droolers. Best for families with space and a sense of humour.
Are Bloodhounds hard to train?
Independent and single-minded on a scent, they need patient, positive, food-motivated training and secure fencing — a Bloodhound on a trail will not hear you.
How old a trail can a Bloodhound follow?
Well-trained hounds have successfully worked trails several days old across miles of country. It's why search-and-rescue teams still call on them when technology runs out.