This week’s breed – y’all, are we going to run out of breeds at some point, or will I have to move on to designer combo dogs? – is the Bloodhound. Ann Trullinger left a comment yesterday mentioning how much her Bloodhounds would love the Jumbo Bone, and I told her that my youngest has consistently asked for a Bloodhound for awhile. Then I skipped to her blog and discovered that it’s an info page about – tada! – Bloodhounds! She runs a Bloodhound rescue, so pop in and say hi, maybe consider a Bloodhound for yourself.
My favorite breed info site, AKC, has this to say about the Bloodhound:
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Described as a “unique looking dog in a baggy suit,” the Bloodhound is one of the oldest breeds of dogs that hunt by scent. Although affectionate, they can posess shy natures, sensitive to kindness or correction by their master. Colors of the Bloodhound include black and tan, liver and tan, and red, sometimes flecked with white. The actual term “Bloodhound” refers not to what the Bloodhound trails but instead refers to its status as the “blooded hound,” meaning aristocratic, since such great lengths were taken early on to keep the strain clean.
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The AKC site made sure to plant a delicious ear worm in the next paragraph when it talked about the Bloodhound being around before the Crusades and coming over from Constantinople. Now the Four Lads are singing in my head.
The Bloodhound is a large dog, a good two feet at the shoulder. According to the AKC, they need lots of lovin’, but a firm stance. These dogs like to take charge. We’ve talked about tiny dogs having bad reputations because their owners let them rule the roost. Y’all, love your Bloodhound, but be the mom or dad. Don’t let them boss you around, but be a quiet, patient boss.
Bloodhounds are strong, massive dogs, with deep-set eyes and loose skin, all jowly and hanging. They have short, coarse hair in pretty colors, including black and tan, the one you see in all the animated movies. Think Fox and the Hound, and Lady and the Tramp.
Look at those ears! *SQUEEEEE*
Pros of being a Bloodhound parent:
- Relatively inactive indoors – the Bloodhound needs a decent amount of exercise, loving a long walk daily, or a romp outside, but won’t be tearing around the house making you crazy inside
- The best tracking dogs in the world – they’ll follow a trail that’s days old and will stick with it for many miles
- Kind, patient, affectionate – these dogs are GREAT with small children, letting them climb all over them and be part of their pack
- Devoted to their people, welcoming to others
- Decent life span for a large dog, living ten to twelve years
- Easy to groom, an average shedder – don’t need bathing often
Cons of being a Bloodhound parent:
- They don’t obedience train well – I’m reading that this is because they are scent dogs, and training goes out the window if they catch a scent, easily distracted
- Several health issues, some which are easily averted – bloat, which is solved by feeding several small meals a day and avoid exercise after meals; stomach cramps; hip dysplasia; ear infections; eyelids turning inward; calluses on their joints (a soft bed helps with this)
- They drool and snore – I have a low tolerance for drooling dogs, unfortunately, but the makers of the Chill Collar say that it drastically reduces drooling in large breeds – I’d be willing to buy one of these collars if I had a Bloodhound
I’d say that if you’re familiar with dogs, love large breeds, and have small children, the Bloodhound is probably your ideal dog. If it weren’t for the drooling, I’d be sorely tempted to make this my next dog. Knowing about the Chill Collar, I might get one anyway. The owners swear it works for their Great Pyrenees. Ya hear that, Clowie? How cool is that? And Jen? I’m betting your Newfies, Sherman and Leroy, would love these collars.
AMENDMENT: Ann commented to say –
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Hi all,
The bloodhound is not for everyone.. they need a fenced in yard… with at least 5-6 ft high fencing. They love to cuddle, they have a certain amount of drool. We keep washclothes in the end table for when they get a drink to wipe their faces and ears. I can go at least a week without hearing one ROOO from my two, that is usually when I am late with giving Jones Pig ears for an evening treat… I have one counter surfer, but I call her my domesticated assistant with helping me to put things away after I have used them. They are not a dog to be an outside dog, they really want to be a member of the family.
We use to travel with Tuba and Zoey, spending a month in a motorhome.. They went on their daily walks, loved all the little kids they met. And of course the bigger the dog the more dog food, bigger treats, bigger beds, higher vet bills, etc.
Ann
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Thank you, Ann! Y’all visit her page if you’re seriously thinking of getting a Bloodhound.
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Until I write again …
Flea
P.S. Because we have babies in the house, I have to share baby photos. 😉
