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| Recognized By: |
ACR
,
AKC
,
APRI
,
ANKC
,
CKC
,
CKC
,
FCI
,
KCGB
,
NKC
,
NZKC
,
UKC
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| AKA: |
Flemish Hound, St. Hubert Hound, Chien de Saint-Hubert
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| Category: |
Hound, AKC Hound
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| Appearance: |
The Bloodhound is a very powerful dog with thin, loose skin especially on the head and neck, where it hangs down in deep folds. The Bloodhound has a noble and dignified expression.
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| Life Expectancy: |
The Bloodhound has an average life expectancy of 10-12 years.
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| Size: |
A male Bloodhound is between 25 to 27 inches tall with an average weight between 90 to 110 pounds. Females are between 23 to 25 inches tall weighing around 80 to 100 pounds.
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| Characteristics: |
The Bloodhound is very energetic outside and boisterous when young. They are determined and independent dogs. Some Bloodhounds can be timid. They have a tendency to snore, and drool a lot. Bloodhounds are tracking dogs. They are able to follow any scent, even human. Bloodhounds enjoy hiking but keep in mind their urge to follow scents.
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| Temperament: |
The Bloodhound is an extremely kind, patient and affectionate dog. They are never quarrelsome with people or other dogs. Bloodhounds tend to be somewhat shy, and sensitive.
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| Family Dog: |
The Bloodhound is excellent with children. They are known for laying meekly while children clamber all over them. Despite this is it advised to teach children to properly treat and respect the Bloodhound. Bloodhounds tend to live in harmony with other dogs and household pets.
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| Companionship: |
The Bloodhound is truly a good-natured companion dog that loves all the attention they can get.
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| Head: |
The head of a Bloodhound is narrow compared to its length. The head tapers slightly from the temples to the muzzle. The length of the head from tip of nose to the stop should be longer than the length from the stop to back of the skull. The overall length of head should be 12 inches or longer in males and 11 or more inches in females. The occipital peak is very pronounced. The brows should not be prominent. The foreface should be long and deep with an even width throughout giving it a square shape when viewed in profile. The Bloodhound's head is covered with a large amount of loose skin so that when the head is carried low the skin will fall into pendulous folds. This is especially true on the forehead and sides of the face. The Bloodhound's lips fall squarely in the front forming a right angle with the upper line of the foreface while in the back they form deep, hanging folds of loose skin around the neck.
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| Nose: |
The Bloodhound has a black nose with large and open nostrils.
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| Eyes: |
The eyes of the Bloodhound are deeply set with the lids forming a diamond shape. The lower lids are pulled down by the heavy flews of skin revealing part of the inner surface. The eyes should complement the color of the dog with colors varying from deep hazel to yellow.
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| Ears: |
The ears of a Bloodhound are extremely long and thin falling in graceful folds with the lower part curling inward and back. They are soft to the touch.
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| Teeth/Bite: |
The Bloodhound should have scissors bite or level bite.
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| Neck: |
The Bloodhound's neck is long.
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| Body: |
The shoulders of a Bloodhound are muscular and slope backwards. The ribs are well sprung with the chest extending down between the forelegs. Its back is very strong considering the dog's size.
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| Forequarters: |
The Bloodhound's forelegs are straight with large bones. The elbows are set squarely.
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| Hindquarters: |
The Bloodhound's thighs and second thighs are very muscular. The hocks are squarely set, bent and well let down.
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| Gait: |
The bloodhound has an elastic, free-swinging gait with the stern being carried high, but not too curled over the back.
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| Feet: |
The Bloodhound's feet are strong with well defined knuckles.
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| Tail: |
The Bloodhound's tail is carried in a curve above the topline of the back.
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| Color: |
The coat of a Bloodhound may be black & tan, liver & tan or red. The darker colors throughout the coat may sometimes be interspersed with lighter or badger-colored fur or flecked with white. A small amount of white may be found on the chest, feet, and tip of stern.
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| Coat: |
The Bloodhound has a short, fairly hard coat. The coat on the ears and skull is softer.
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| Shedding: |
The Bloodhound is an average shedder.
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| Grooming: |
The Bloodhound's smooth, short coat is easy to groom using a hound glove. They should be bathed only when necessary. Rubbing the coat with a rough towel or chamois will leave their coat gleaming. The ears should be cleaned regularly.
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| Training: |
The Bloodhound needs firm yet gentle training. Patience is a virtue when training the Bloodhound. It is important to be consistent in training with this breed. The Bloodhound is a gentle-natured dog but has a mind of its own so don't expect too much by way of obedience from this breed.
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| Barking: |
Some Bloodhounds will bark to inform you when strangers are around. Some have a tendency to howl.
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| Feeding: |
The Bloodhound is prone to bloat and should be fed two or three small meals a day rather than one large one. Exercise should be avoided after meals because some may suffer from stomach cramps.
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| Exercise: |
Bloodhounds need lots of daily exercise. They should be taken for long daily walks. They have incredible stamina and can walk for hours.
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| Living Arrangements: |
The Bloodhound can live in an apartment if given proper amounts of daily exercise. They are relatively inactive inside and should have an average-sized yard to run in.
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| Health: |
Bloodhounds are also prone to hip dysplasia and ear infections. It is recommended to give them a padded bed to sleep on to avoid calluses on their joints. Some Bloodhounds also suffer from entropion.
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| Litter Size: |
The Bloodhound has an average litter size of 8 to 10 puppies with some litters having as many as 15 pups.
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| History: |
This Bloodhound Breed is more than one thousand years old. It was perfected by monks of St. Hubert in Belgium and later brought to England and the United States by the Normans. During the Middle Ages the Bloodhound's coat came in many other solid colors including white which were referred to the Talbot Hound. This strain died out by the 1600's. Throughout history the Bloodhound has been used to hunt animals, criminals, runaway slaves and lost children. Today, this breed is considered both a tracking and companion dog.
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Breed Information