Bloodhound
Puppy
Fully Grown
Bloodhounds are equipped with an excellent sense of smell and were traditionally used to track down prey over long distances. Their sense of smell is so great that they are often used as search and rescue dogs or as cadaver dogs, as they can find a scent even when it seems impossible.
Bloodhounds are calm, friendly and intelligent but can also be quite clingy towards their owners. They tend to fixate on their owners and are quite sensitive to any changes. They can often be a bit unruly and seem to have a mind of their own. Good leadership and clear boundaries are a must for Bloodhounds to become good family dogs.
They are not recommended for first time dog owners as their sense of smell can take them places you don’t want them to be, and obedience training is therefore important.
Bloodhounds not only love to run but also have the ability to run and track a scent at the same time by keeping their noses on the ground. Their ears are very long, and have been bred this way to assist them with scent tracking. When running they seem to flop around like bunny ears.
Brushing is recommended once in a while. Other than that you just need to worry about their desire to exercise and run.
| Weight: | 41-50 kg |
| Health risk: | Medium |
| Life expectancy: | 10-12 years |
| Coat: | Short |
| Grooming intensity: | Low |
| Monthly cost (food): | very high |
| Trainability: | Medium |
| Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Bloodhound from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Bloodhound to adopt:
To help your rescued Bloodhound to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Bloodhound from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.
