At-A-Glance:  The Bloodhound Dog Breed

The Bloodhound dog breed is a highly specialized dog designed to perform a single task: tracking. Bloodhounds are known to be the best trackers of all the scent hounds. Bloodhound breeders have created not only a dog with the best nose in the business but also a dog with an extremely focused, determined mind-set.  The Bloodhound can follow a scent forever and ignore everything else.  The Bloodhound needs obedience training and socialization early in life.  If chosen as a family pet, Bloodhounds can be a friendly companions to have around.

Bloodhounds are large, powerful animals with short hair, thin loose skin and long ears.  They stand 24-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 90-110 pounds.

Since the bloodhound is a larger breed than most other dogs, its lifespan only lasts between seven and ten years. The major health concerns that are typical in this breed are CHD, gastric torsion, ectropion, otitis externa, elbow dysplasia, and skin-fold dermatitis. Minor issues in which you should ask your veterinarian to look out for is hypothyroidism.

Because of its large facial features and heavy wrinkles, the bloodhound needs to be groomed on daily basis.  You must give extra cleaning care to the ears and the flaps around the eyes and gums.  Its short-haired coat and requires regular brushing with a hound glove to keep it in good condition. 

If you choose to have this breed as a family  pet, ideally, he needs to live in the country and requires a fenced yard or kennel.  And although he prefers mild temperatures, he can withstand hotter climates so long as there is plenty of shade and soft bedding to rest in.  And, for those of you who are obsessed with a clean house, make note that the bloodhound can be a bit on the messy side.