The Bloodhound has its origins in England, France, and Belgium and is one of the oldest breeds.
The Bloodhound is an affectionate and gentle dog that is great with children and other animals. Having a sense of smell better than any other dog breed, its tracking instinct is second to none. They are widely used by law enforcement for tracking.
With its wrinkled face and droopy ears, there is no mistaking a Bloodhound for any other breed.
| Weight (pounds) Male: 90-110 Female: 80-100 | Height (inches) Male: 25-27 Female: 23-25 | Lifespan (years) 10-12 | Dog Breed Group Hound |
Characteristics Ratings
We rate 19 characteristics for each breed, divided into three categories:
Highest Rated – Characteristics for which this breed is rated 4 or 5 stars (on a 5 star scale).
Neutral Rated – Characteristics that rated 3 stars.
Lowest Rated – Characteristics that rated only 1 or 2 stars.
Highest Rated
- Good Family Dog
- Kid Friendly
- Good With Other Dogs
- Low Shedding
- Easy to Train
- High Energy Level
- High Intelligence
Neutral Rated
- Friendly to Strangers
- Likes to Play
- Handles Change Easily
- Tolerates Hot Climate
- Tolerates Cold Climate
- Good General Health
Lowest Rated
- Low Drooling
- Protective Nature
- Low Amount of Barking
- Suitable for Small Yards/Apartments
- Good for Novice Owners
- Tolerates Being Left Alone
General Overview
Bloodhounds make superb family dogs. They are gentle, calm, and affectionate, especially towards children. They also get along well with other dogs and will even welcome your cat!
They are very loyal to their families but don’t make good guard dogs because they are friendly to everyone, even strangers. Their non-aggressiveness means that they are more likely to welcome a stranger into the home than challenge them.
That said, if they sense danger from an intruder, they will stand firm and protect their family.
Bloodhounds are very attached to their family and need constant companionship. They will experience separation anxiety whenever left alone.
From a grooming standpoint, their coats are short and only need to be brushed once a week or so. However, you must clean between the many folds in their skin daily to keep them clean and prevent infection and odor.
They are low shedders but heavy droolers, so expect to clean drool frequently if you own a Bloodhound.
Although Bloodhounds are excellent family dogs, they are not for everyone. They require a large amount of attention and exercise, making them a poor choice for first-time dog owners.
Bloodhounds make look droopy and lazy, but they are actually full of energy and need at least an hour of exercise daily. They also love to use their nose while wandering and thus need a large space to be happy and healthy.
Apartments and small yards are not for bloodhounds.
But if you like to take long walks in the country and let your Bloodhound follow its nose, you’ll have a great companion that can keep going as long as you can.
Bloodhounds are fairly intelligent, which makes them quick learners. But they can also be headstrong and independent and require early training before stubborn habits take root.
Overall, Bloodhounds are relatively healthy. They are prone to becoming overweight, so maintaining a healthy diet is important.