Bloodhound Information
History
The Bloodhound also known as the Flemish Hound and the St. Hubert Hound can be traced back a 1,000 years to a monastery in Belgium. Later they reached and were developed in England and in the USA.
They were originally bred to track large game and later used to track human scents.
The name Bloodhound was derived from the expression “blooded hound”, meaning a hound of pure breeding.
Characteristics
- Noble
- Powerful
- Gentle
Bloodhound Temperament & Size
The Bloodhound is renowned for its scenting ability and has been known to detect a scent that is days old.
This large, muscular, short coated dog can be seen in colours including black and tan, red and liver and tan.
They are sweet, affectionate and extremely calm.Their even temper and gentle manner make them a perfect match for families with children.
Breeders recommend basic obedience training for Bloodhounds from an early age because they can be difficult to train.
They tend to be a messy with eating i.e. they can often be seen drooling and dropping food.
Bloodhound Life Span & Health Problems
Average lifespan is 8 – 10 years.
Common Illnesses include;
- Hip & Elbow Dysplasia – Genetic conditions that cause abnormal development of the elbow and hip joints in young dogs. This can lead to early onset degenerative joint disease.
- Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus, GDV) – Twisting of the stomach resulting in rapid swelling of the abdomen causing pain and eventual death if not treated.
- Ear Infections – Their long ears doesn’t allow adequate airflow in the inner ear and predisposes them to infection.
- Skin Fold Dermatitis – Many breed standards require that the dog have excessive and wrinkled skin. This excess skin leads to folding and subsequent irritation, inflammation and infection.
- Entropion – Excess eyelid tissue causing the eyelashes to turn inward and rub against the surface of the eye resulting in corneal ulceration.
- Ectropion –The lower eyelids turn outwards.