Bloodhound
Other names: Chien de Saint-Hubert, St. Hubert Hound

Their name may suggest otherwise, but the Bloodhound is perhaps one of the friendliest, most gentle and most affectionate dog breeds in the whole world.
Amazing with kids, loving towards pretty much every human or animal they come across and eager to please their owners - we’d call them the perfect family dog!
Plus, we can’t forget the Bloodhound’s incredible talents - this breed is famous for their nose! They’re regularly used in the security and police world as scent detection assistants. As they say, ‘no nose knows like the Bloodhound’s nose’!
Key facts about the Bloodhound
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Origins and history
The Bloodhound is believed to originate from the St.Hubert hound, dating back as far as the Middle Ages. The breed was famed for accompanying royals on hunting trips, thanks to its renowned sense of smell. Numerous hound breeds from Europe, however, have blended together to create the sweet-natured giant we know and love today.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 1 : Scent hounds
Physical characteristics of the Bloodhound
Adult size
Female : Between 23 and 26 in
Male : Between 25 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 88 and 106 lb
Male : Between 101 and 119 lb
Coat colour
- Tan
- Black
- Black and tan
- Liver and tan
- Red
Type of coat
The Bloodhound’s coat is short and smooth.
They boast a short, flat, dense, double and highly waterproof coat.
Eye colour
The Bloodhound’s eyes normally complement the colour of the coat and can be seen in hazel, various shades of brown and deep yellow colours.
Description
You can’t mistake a Bloodhound! This breed is best known for their wrinkly head and face, extremely loose skin and extra long ears - you either love it or hate it! They’re a huge breed with significant strength and power - the perfect example of a ‘gentle giant’!
They’ve got a long, sad-looking face with lots of pronounced folds. Their nostrils are large (hence their impressive sense of smell) and medium-sized, drooping, sunken eyes. The tail is long and set high.
Good to know
Experts believe that the Bloodhound has around 250-300 million receptors in its nose, which is the most of any dog breed!
Temperament
Behaviour of the Bloodhound
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Is the Bloodhound right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
This breed doesn’t come cheap! You’re looking at at least £760 for a Bloodhound and if the dog is registered at the Kennel Club they can cost approximately £1075.
Average cost care: £50-£70 (this includes food, grooming, and other expenses)
Grooming
The Bloodhound’s coat is low-maintenance and only needs brushing around once or twice a week, as well as a wipe down if they’ve got a little grubby.
The difficult part of Bloodhound grooming, though, is their wrinkles. They need thorough cleaning and drying, otherwise, they can easily become infected.
If you decide to adopt a Bloodhound, be prepared to wipe their face clean after every meal and drink of water. You’ll need to clean between wrinkles a few times a week using a gentle, damp cloth or wipe. Make sure to dry them thoroughly - left wet, bacteria will spread fast.
Thankfully, this breed doesn’t need to be bathed all that often - especially if they’re regularly wiped down and brushed. The Bloodhound is particularly prone to ear infections, so make cleaning and checking them a habit. As for the rest, it’s regular grooming - nails need to be trimmed every couple of weeks and teeth should be brushed as often as possible.
Shedding
This one is a definite shedder! Expect to have the vacuum out regularly. Brushing can help minimize this.
Nutrition of the Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a huge dog, with high energy and nutritional needs. As such, it’s best to feed them a high-quality, complete, and balanced dog food which is formulated specifically for large dog breeds. We’d recommend splitting up a Bloodhound’s meals into 2-4 servings per day as giant dog breeds are prone to bloat.
Health of the Bloodhound
Life expectancy
10-12 years
Strong / robust
The Bloodhound is mighty - these giant, strong, sturdy dogs are powerful and adaptable.
Withstand heat
This breed doesn’t cope well with hot weather. If temperatures sore, keep them indoors in a cool, dark room if possible. If you head out for the day, remember to provide regular shade breaks for your Bloodhound, as well as carrying around a constant supply of water.
Withstand cold
Larger dogs such as the Bloodhound do tend to tolerate cold weather better than smaller breeds. However, the Bloodhound won’t fare well in extremes of cold, especially if they’re domesticated - keep them indoors, especially at night, if temperatures drop significantly.
Tendency to put on weight
Obesity isn’t a huge problem in the Bloodhound breed. However, they can be greedy - don’t give them too many treats or human foods!
Common illnesses
- Bloat
- Cancer, especially lymphosarcoma
- Orthopaedic diseases
- Luxating patella
- Ear infections
- Hyperthyroidism
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy
- Eye diseases