Overview
The Bloodhound traces its ancestry to the hounds of the monks of St Hubert in Belgium, and its nose has never been bettered. Everything about the dog is built for scent: the long ears that stir up ground smells, the loose folds of skin, the deep chest and the mournful face that hides a very mellow character.
At home they are soft, slow and affectionate. On a walk they are a different animal. A Bloodhound following a trail is not being disobedient, it simply cannot hear you, and at forty kilos it can tow an adult without noticing. Walkers who accept that enjoy the breed; those who expect obedience do not.
Exercise and walking needs
A healthy adult does well on around an hour and a half a day at the dog's own pace. That pace is slow, with a lot of standing still and inhaling. Distance covered is far less than the time suggests.
Puppies need short, careful exercise because the breed grows fast and the joints carry a lot. Older hounds slow further and stiffen after longer walks.
On the walk
- Recall: Assume there is none. Trained Bloodhounds track for miles and the breed's whole talent is following a scent to its end. Only unclip in a properly fenced space.
- Pulling: Enormous, low and steady. Use a padded harness, keep the lead short and wrap it around nothing you value. A headcollar helps if the owner has trained it.
- Drool and ears: Both are constant. Carry a towel, wipe the ears after puddles and expect the car to need cleaning afterwards.
- Other dogs: Famously tolerant and rarely bothered. Most Bloodhounds would rather sniff the ground than another dog.
Tips for professional walkers
- Let the dog do some real tracking: hide a toy and let it work the scent. Ten minutes of that tires it more than a mile of walking.
- Avoid stairs and steep banks where you can; the long back and heavy front end do not love either.
- Look at the skin folds on the face for grit and damp after a wet walk.
- Plan for a slow walk and do not pair it with fast dogs on a group outing.
What to ask the owner
- Any history of bloat, and does the owner want a rest period before or after feeding?
- Has the dog had problems with its eyes or eyelids, which the breed is known for?
- What equipment does the owner use when the dog pulls, and is there a harness it is used to?