Bloodhound
Gentle, loving, and docile, the Bloodhound is a devoted companion whose bond with its people is the breed's defining warmth. Its legendary nose makes it the finest tracker on earth, a skill it brings to search-and-rescue work and court-admissible trails.
25-27 inches tall, 90-110 pounds (male); 23-25 inches tall, 80-100 pounds (female)
10-12 years
Requires a very secure fence; should never be off-leash outside a fenced area
Black and tan, red and tan, or red
Puppies and young adults have lots of energy; adults are docile off-duty
Temperament
A Bloodhound is gentle and loving, especially with its people. Off-duty, the breed is among the most docile of dogs. Puppies and young adults carry a lot of energy, which they expend running around the house and bumping into things.
The breed is occasionally stubborn and deeply scent-obsessed. A Bloodhound needs a firm but patient trainer and will follow an interesting scent with relentless focus. This passion can limit interest in structured activities like rally or competitive obedience, but the Bloodhound excels in tracking.
A few practical notes: the dog is a prolific drooler and may shake its head, flinging saliva. It also enjoys finding stinky things and rolling in them. Keep breakable objects off low surfaces, as the tail sits roughly at coffee-table height. A secure fence is essential, and the dog should not run off-leash outside a fenced area.
The companionship this dog offers is steady and warm, and most owners find it well worth the less-than-perfect surroundings.
“An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens, but he's relentless and stubborn on scent.”
AKC
Daily needs and attention
A Bloodhound is a gentle, loving companion who thrives on closeness with its people. Puppies and young adults carry a lot of energy, which they expend running around the house and bumping into things. As adults, they settle into a docile, easygoing presence, though their scent obsession never fully fades. Daily care includes a weekly brushing and pedicure, plus bi-weekly ear cleanings to keep the pendulous drop ears healthy. The breed is a prolific drooler and will shake its head freely, so expect some mess on furniture and floors. A firm but patient approach to training works best; the Bloodhound is occasionally stubborn and driven by scent. Secure fencing is essential, and the dog should never be off-leash outside a fenced area. Tracking is a natural strength and a rewarding outlet for the breed's nose. For a working household, the Bloodhound's adult temperament is calm and companionable, but the dog does need a home where someone can be present to engage it and manage its environment.
“A weekly brushing and pedicure, coupled with bi-weekly ear cleanings, will help the Bloodhound to look and feel his best.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Health and lifespan
Bloodhounds typically live 10 to 12 years. They are a large breed: males stand 25 to 27 inches and weigh 90 to 110 pounds; females stand 23 to 25 inches and weigh 80 to 100 pounds. A Bloodhound does not reach full adult size until two to three years of age, so a young adult in a new home is still settling into its body.
Because of their deep chest, Bloodhounds are susceptible to bloat, a condition in which the stomach fills with air and may twist. This condition is fatal if not treated quickly, so a working household should know the warning signs and have a plan for rapid veterinary access.
Routine care is manageable: a weekly brushing and pedicure, plus bi-weekly ear cleanings, will keep a Bloodhound looking and feeling its best. The tail swings at roughly coffee-table height, so keeping breakable items off low surfaces is a practical precaution.
“Like many large, deep-chested dogs, Bloodhounds are susceptible to bloat, a condition in which the dog's stomach fills with air and may twist.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Habits and behavior
A Bloodhound is gentle and loving, especially with its people. Off-duty, the breed is among the most docile of dogs, but on scent it becomes relentless and stubborn. Puppies and young adults carry a lot of energy, which they expend running around the house and bumping into things. The breed is a prolific drooler and will shake its head, flinging saliva across a room. Bloodhounds also adore finding stinky things and rolling in them.
The occasionally stubborn, scent-obsessed temperament calls for a firm but patient trainer. Because the dog's passion for interesting scents is strong, experienced owners keep very secure fences and never allow the dog to run off-leash unless in a fenced area. The breed's drive toward scent limits its interest in rally and competitive obedience, but it excels in tracking and search and rescue. A working household should plan for a weekly brushing and pedicure, plus bi-weekly ear cleanings, to keep the dog looking and feeling its best.
“An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens, but he's relentless and stubborn on scent.”
AKC
Housing: apartment, house, yard and crate
A Bloodhound is a gentle giant, standing 23 to 27 inches tall and weighing 80 to 110 pounds. The dog does not reach full adult size until two to three years of age.
A house with a secure yard is the most practical setting. Experienced Bloodhound owners make sure their homes have very secure fences and never allow their dogs to run off-leash unless in a fenced area. The breed's intense focus on scent means a yard without a tall fence is not a safe enclosure.
An apartment can work for a settled adult Bloodhound, which is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens when off duty. Puppies and young adults have lots of energy, which they expend running around the house, bumping into things, and creating mayhem. A working household should plan for daily exercise to channel that energy.
The dog's tail is approximately the same height as an average coffee table, so breakable objects on furniture deserve attention. A crate can serve as a quiet retreat, though the breed's size means a large crate is necessary.
“Experienced Bloodhound owners make sure that their homes have very secure fences, and never allow their dogs to run off-leash unless they're in a fenced area.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
Challenges
A Bloodhound is gentle and loving with its people, but a working household should understand the practical demands of the breed. The dog is occasionally stubborn and often scent-obsessed, requiring a firm but patient approach to training. Experienced owners keep very secure fences in place and never allow the dog to run off-leash outside a fenced area. Puppies and young adults expend lots of energy running around the house and bumping into things. The breed is a prolific drooler and also enjoys finding stinky objects and rolling in them. Grooming calls for a weekly brushing, a pedicure, and bi-weekly ear cleanings. As a large, deep-chested dog, the Bloodhound is susceptible to bloat, a condition in which the stomach fills with air and may twist; this is fatal if not treated quickly. The breed does not reach full adult height and weight until two to three years of age.
“Bloodhounds are susceptible to bloat, a condition in which the dog's stomach fills with air and may twist.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
The fun part
A Bloodhound at home is a gentle, loving companion. Puppies and young adults have lots of energy, which they happily expend running around the house. For a working household, that energy is best channeled through the breed's natural gift: scent work. A Bloodhound excels in tracking, and many find useful employment in search and rescue. A fenced yard gives the dog a safe space to follow a scent trail, and that focused work is what the breed was made for. Off-duty, the Bloodhound is among the most docile of dogs. They are gentle and loving, especially with their people. The companionship of this noble dog is well worth the occasional drool on your sleeve.
“An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens, but he's relentless and stubborn on scent.”
AKC
Living with kids, cats and other dogs
Bloodhounds are gentle and loving, especially with their people, and an off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens. In a home with children, that gentleness is a real asset. The breed is described as gentle giants, and their docile nature makes them a natural fit for family life.
Puppies and young adults, however, have lots of energy, which they happily expend running around the house, bumping into things, and generally creating mayhem. A working household should also expect a prolific drooler and a dog that adores finding stinky things and rolling in them. The wise owner removes any objects of value from the Bloodhound's purview and resigns himself to having a house that might make an interior decorator recoil in horror. They know that the companionship of this noble dog is well worth having less-than-perfect surroundings.
The source material does not describe Bloodhound interactions with cats or other household dogs. Prospective adopters should ask the shelter or rescue about the individual animal's history with other pets before bringing it home.
“Bloodhound puppies and young adults have lots of energy, which they happily expend running around the house, bumping into things, and generally creating mayhem.”
VCA Animal Hospitals
What to ask the rescue
Ask the rescue about the dog's daily routine and how it handles being at home while you work. Bloodhounds are gentle and loving with their people, but they are scent-obsessed and occasionally stubborn, so ask what training approach has worked and whether the dog responds to firm, patient direction. Confirm the dog's health history, particularly any signs of bloat or elbow issues, since large, deep-chested dogs like Bloodhounds are susceptible to both. Ask about grooming needs: a weekly brushing and pedicure plus bi-weekly ear cleanings are the baseline. Inquire about the dog's energy level, especially if it is under two to three years old, since Bloodhounds do not reach full adult size until then. Ask whether the dog has been exercised in a secure, fenced environment, because a Bloodhound's drive to follow a scent means it should never be off-leash outside a fenced area. Finally, ask what enrichment the dog receives at the shelter and whether it shows interest in tracking or scent work.
“An off-duty Bloodhound is among the canine kingdom's most docile citizens, but he's relentless and stubborn on scent.”
AKC