I love Bloodhounds

Bloodhounds weigh from 80 to 110 lb (36 to 50 kg) and stand 23 to 27 inches (58 to 69 cm) high at the withers. The acceptable colors for Bloodhounds are black and tan, liver and tan, or red. In the Middle Ages, they also occurred in other solid colors, including white (known as the Talbot hound). The colors appear in other breeds descended from the early Bloodhounds, however. Bloodhounds possess an unusually large skeletal structure; most of their weight is concentrated in their bones, which are very thick for their length. The coat is typical for a scenthound: hard, and composed of fur alone, with no admixture of hair.

This breed is a mellow, cheerful, affectionate dog who is nonetheless tireless in following a scent. Because of its strong tracking instinct, it can be willful, and somewhat difficult to obedience train. However, with the proper amount of time and effort, this can be achieved.

Affectionate, gentle, and even-tempered, they make excellent family pets but, like any large breed, may require supervision when around small children because of the possibility of knocking them over with their bulk.

As with most large breeds, their life expectancy is only 10 to 12 years.

The Bloodhound is prone to hip dysplasia, and is one of the breeds that is the most frequent victims of bloat. Consequently, Bloodhound groups are attempting to concentrate funds for research into bloat at a small number of veterinary schools, in order to increase the likelihood of obtaining valuable results.

Bloodhounds require relatively little maintenance to their coats beyond brushing and infrequent baths. Their long, pendulous ears should be inspected frequently, as they are prone to ear infections, and their drooping eyelids can be a source of trouble.

As a hunting hound, the Bloodhound needs a good deal of daily exercise. It was breed to trail through any hardship, and once on a trail, it can not be called off. It thus must be exercised in a safe area.

The bloodhound was, according to legend, first bred ca. AD 1000 by monks at the St. Hubert Monastery in Belgium. Undoubtedly, its origins do reside in France, home of many of the modern Hound breeds. Its excellent tracking skills were drawn on in breeding other scenthounds, such as the Coonhound, Swiss Jura Hound, Bavarian Mountain Hound, and many others.

During the late 19th century, bloodhounds were frequent subjects for artists such as Edwin Landseer and Briton Riviere. The dogs depicted are close in appearance to modern bloodhounds, indicating that the essential character of the bloodhound predates modern dog breeding. However, the dogs depicted by Landseer show less wrinkle and haw than modern dogs.

Scenting ability

The Bloodhound's physical characteristics account for its superlative ability to follow a scent trail left several days in the past. Humans constantly shed skin cells, as newer cells replace older ones. Under optimal conditions, a Bloodhound can detect as few as one or two skin cells. Odors are identified by scent receptors in a dog's nasal chambers; the larger the chambers, the greater the dog's ability to detect skin cells. The Bloodhound's nasal chambers are larger than those of most other breeds. The large and long pendent ears serve to prevent wind from scattering nearby skin cells while the dog's nose is on the ground, and the folds of wrinkled flesh under the lips and neck, called the shawl, serve to catch stray scent particles in the air or on a nearby branch as the bloodhound is scenting, reinforcing the scent in the dog's memory and nose.

The misconception persists that bloodhounds are employed in packs. While this is sometimes the case in England, in North America bloodhounds are used as solitary trackers. Bloodhounds on a trail are usually silent, and do not give voice as other scent hounds.

Noteworthy Bloodhounds

A bloodhound named Nick Carter is frequently cited as the archetype of the trailing bloodhound. The extensive publicity this dog received may be the source of much bloodhound-related folklore. Born in 1900, Nick Carter was owned and handled by Captain G.V. Mullikin of Lexington, Kentucky. He is credited with more than 650 finds, including one that required him to follow a trail 105 hours old.

Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood, known as "Knotty," is the most awarded Bloodhounds of all time. He has received more Best in Shows than any other Bloodhound, and is the first liver-and-tan Bloodhound ever to win a Best in Show. Knotty was awarded the Best in Show at the Eukanuba Tournament in 2005, and won the Hound Group in the Westminster Kennel Club Show in that same year.

* Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
* Ladybird from King of the Hill
* Huckleberry Hound
* Copper from the film and novel The Fox and the Hound
* Beauguard in Pogo
* Snuffles in Quick Draw McGraw
* Trusty in Lady and the Tramp
* Duke, Jed's bloodhound from the Beverly Hillbillies
* Hubert from Best in Show

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