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History
According to Lowell, the gentle Bloodhound's gory name originates not from any innate ferocity, but from the fact that only "bluebloods" owned this "pure-blooded" breed. Although the Bloodhound type may have originated well before Christ's birth, the breed was developed around the 8th century by the monks of St. Hubert in Belgium and refined later in England and the United States. The scent-tracking prowess of the Bloodhound is legendary. This breed is said to successfully follow trails over 100 hours old. He is so determined that he has been known to stay with a trail for over 100 miles. The Bloodhound is such a sure tracker that the breed is used worldwide for rescue and criminal searches. The Bloodhound's evidence is admissible in court of law. One Bloodhound brought about over 600 criminal arrests and convictions.
Description
A powerful, very massive hound with a long muzzle, very long, drooping ears, and deep-set eyes. His jowls and loose, hanging, wrinkled skin give the Bloodhound a rather mournful, dignified expression. The nostrils are large and open, and the folds of the skin are said to aid in holding scent particles. The color of the eyes varies from hazel to yellow, and corresponds to the color of the dog. A scissors bite is preferred. The short coat is easy to care for with a hound's glove and comes in black and tan, liver and tan, and red. A little white is permitted on the chest, feet, and tip of the stem.
Talents
Hunting, tracking, watchdog, police work, narcotics detection, and search & rescue.
Personality
Kind, patient, noble, docile and lovable. Extremely affectionate. A good-natured companion. Very energetic out of doors. Needs firm, but gentle training—this breed tends toward willfulness.
Behavior
Children: Excellent with children.
Friendliness: Loves everyone.
Trainability: Somewhat difficult to train.
Independence: Moderately dependent on people.
Dominance: Low.
Other Pets: May be aggressive with dogs of the same sex; do not trust with non-canine pets.
Combativeness: Can be a bit dog-aggressive.
Noise: Likes to bay.
Notes
Has a tendency to bay, snore and drool a lot. May also sniff inappropriately or wander off on the trail of an intriguing scent. Sometimes suffers from stomach cramps. Sometimes males are combative with other males. Purchase only from OFA stock, as the breed tends to hip dysplasia. Also ask about entropion (the eyelids turn inward and the lashes injure the eye). The Bloodhound has a distinctive doggy odor which is offensive to some people. Groom lightly with a hound gloves.
Grooming
Grooming: A little grooming needed.
Trimming & Stripping: No trimming or stripping needed.
Coat: Short coat.
Shedding: Average shedder.
Exercise: Needs lots of exercise.
Jogging: An excellent jogging companion.
Indoors: Relatively inactive indoors.
Apartments: Will be OK in an apartment if sufficiently exercised.
Outdoor Space: Best with at least an average-size yard.
Climate: Does well in most climates.
Owner: Not recommended for novice owners.
Longevity: Average (10 to 12 years).
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