¶Table of Contents
¶Quick Facts
The Bloodhound is a very large, powerful tracking hound with an exceptional sense of smell. It is best suited to an owner who wants to give the dog regular scent work, can handle a heavy dog on the lead, and accepts drool, long ears and a degree of stubbornness in daily life.
- Origin: Belgium is the country of origin under the FCI standard, while the modern Bloodhound was developed in England.
- Purpose: Primarily tracking people and other scent work; it is also kept as a companion.
- Size: Males normally stand 64–72 cm and weigh about 46–54 kg. Females normally stand 58–66 cm and weigh about 40–48 kg.
- Character: The breed standard describes a calm, friendly, sociable and sensitive dog that can be reserved and stubborn.
- Activity: Daily physical exercise needs to be combined with scent work and tasks that allow the dog to solve problems.
- Everyday demands: Expect considerable physical strength, varying amounts of drool and a need for safe walking routines when the nose takes over.
The Bloodhound is therefore more than a large, sedate companion. It is built to follow long trails with stamina and independence. That is the breed’s great strength, but it is also the quality that usually requires the most planning from its owner.
¶Appearance & Coat
The Bloodhound should be large, muscular and rectangular without appearing clumsy or so heavy that its working ability is reduced. The head is long and relatively narrow, the ears are very long and thin, and the skin on the head and neck is loose, supple and clearly folded when the dog lowers its head.
The breed standard gives an ideal height of 68 cm for males and 62 cm for females, with a tolerance of four centimetres either way. Weight should be in proportion to height and build. The figures are therefore guides for a well-balanced adult, not targets to be reached regardless of body condition and conformation.
The coat is short, dense and fairly harsh on the body, but softer on the head and ears. The colours are black and tan, liver and tan, or solid red. Small white markings on the chest, toes or tip of the tail are tolerated by the standard, but larger white areas or white elsewhere on the body are not.
Loose skin is a breed characteristic, but more is not automatically better. The eyelids should normally lie against the eye, the eyelashes must not cause irritation and deep folds must not interfere with the eyes. The Nordic Breed Specific Instructions particularly identify excessive skin and eyelids that turn inwards or outwards as areas of concern. When meeting a puppy and its parents, the eyes should look clear and comfortable, without persistent redness, discharge or squinting. The skin should be free from sores and irritation, and the dog should move freely.
Care is best guided by what you see and feel. Brush out loose hair during moulting, check the long ears after walks, and keep the ear openings, lip folds and other skin folds clean and dry without unnecessary scrubbing. Seek veterinary advice for recurring odour, redness, itching, discharge or pain. The breed sheds seasonally, often more noticeably in spring, and the amount of drool varies between dogs.
¶Temperament & Personality
A typical Bloodhound should be gentle, calm and sociable, but also independent and sensitive. The breed standard describes a dog that is especially attached to its owner, tolerant of other dogs and pets, and never aggressive. This is a breeding ideal, not a guarantee of how every individual will behave in every setting.
Its independence is most evident when the dog is using its nose. A Bloodhound has been bred to persist with a trail and solve problems independently. In daily life, this may look like stubbornness, a slow response or selective hearing, particularly when an interesting scent competes with the handler. The dog is neither unintelligent nor unwilling to cooperate; the task simply needs to be clear and worthwhile.
The breed is described as sensitive to both praise and criticism. Harsh handling can therefore damage trust without making the dog more responsive. Calm, clear routines and rewards for the right choices are more suitable. A well-adjusted Bloodhound can relax indoors after meaningful activity, although its size, adolescent energy and curiosity still call for a practically arranged home.
The Bloodhound has a very deep voice. At the same time, the standard says the breed should not be excessively vocal. Individual dogs may still bark or bay when excited, frustrated or left alone beyond what they can manage, so noise should be considered in a home with close neighbours.
¶Training & Exercise
The Bloodhound needs exercise every day, but there is no credible universal number of hours that suits every dog. A sensible routine combines unhurried, purposeful walks, opportunities to investigate scents, short training sessions and regular tracking or other nose work. Adjust the amount to the dog’s age, body condition, fitness, recovery and behaviour.
Reward-based training suits a dog that is both sensitive and independent. Work in small steps and make it worthwhile to turn back, walk with you on the lead, wait at doors and leave a scent trail. Start where success is easy and add distractions only when the behaviour is reliable. Tracking gives an outlet for the breed’s strongest ability and can also build cooperation, because the handler learns to read the dog rather than direct every step.
Recall should be trained, but safety must not depend on it working every time after the dog has picked up a trail. Plan to use a standard lead, a long line and securely enclosed areas. A robust harness can offer better control during tracking, while everyday handling should also include calm behaviour around other dogs and the ability to stand still for checks of the ears, eyes and paws.
A Bloodhound puppy is large long before it is fully developed. Treat it as a puppy, not as an adult athlete. Short walks, free play on suitable surfaces, scent games and plenty of rest are more appropriate than long, fast distances, repeated jumping or hard exercise. Increase the workload gradually in line with growth and recovery; the familiar five-minute rule has no scientific support as a universal formula.
¶Health
The principal breed-specific points to monitor are the eyes, skin, musculoskeletal system and the risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus. This does not mean that every Bloodhound will become ill, but a prospective owner should ask for actual health results and be able to recognise signs that require veterinary attention.
The Bloodhound is included in the Nordic Breed Specific Instructions because of the risk from excessive skin and insufficiently close-fitting eyelids. Look for eyelids that maintain normal contact with the eye, skin folds without irritation, and free, stable movement. Recurrent red or watery eyes, squinting, inflamed folds, lameness or stiffness should not be dismissed as normal for the breed.
The Swedish Kennel Club’s 2026 registration rules do not set a breed-specific requirement for hip, elbow or eye results in the Bloodhound. The Swedish breed club nevertheless encourages radiography, while the Royal Kennel Club’s UK Health Standard includes hip, elbow and eye testing. Ask the breeder which examinations have been carried out on the parents and close relatives, what the results were, and how both health and genetic diversity were considered. A recommendation from another country does not automatically constitute a Swedish registration requirement.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, or GDV, is an emergency in which the stomach expands and twists. UK research has placed the Bloodhound among the breeds with the highest reported risk in the population studied. Repeated attempts to vomit without producing anything, a swollen or painful abdomen, restlessness, heavy drooling, pale gums, weakness or collapse require immediate veterinary care. Do not wait to see whether the signs pass. Since no simple routine removes the risk, discuss feeding, individual risk factors and possible preventive surgery with a vet rather than relying on absolute rules found online.
A large UK study published in 2024 estimated median survival for the Bloodhound at 9.3 years. This is a population estimate from British dogs, not a prediction for an individual. The health of close relatives, sound conformation, suitable body condition, everyday care and prompt veterinary attention when signs appear are more useful when assessing a puppy and planning the dog’s life.
¶History & Origins
Belgium is the Bloodhound’s country of origin under the FCI standard, and the breed is also known as the Chien de Saint-Hubert. The tradition recorded in the standard links the breed to hunting hounds kept at the Saint-Hubert monastery in the Ardennes. The modern breed now known as the Bloodhound was, however, developed in England and later spread to other countries, including the United States.
Not every detail of the medieval account is equally well documented. An older Swedish breed strategy, for example, notes the lack of evidence for some frequently repeated claims about which dogs were taken to England. It is therefore more accurate to distinguish the established Saint-Hubert tradition from the documented development of the modern English Bloodhound.
According to the breed standard, the name refers to pure ancestry, in the same sense as “thoroughbred”, rather than to tracking blood. Historically, the breed was used as a hunting hound for large game. Today it is associated mainly with tracking people, following wounded game and other work that requires a highly developed sense of smell and great stamina.
¶Living with the Breed
Living with a Bloodhound requires more practical planning than its short coat might suggest. The dog takes up considerable physical space, can pull hard when a scent becomes interesting, and often leaves water around the bowl and drool on walls or furniture. Someone who wants a completely spotless home may find this a greater issue than brushing the coat.
The breed can live successfully in a family with children when the individual dog is secure and adults manage the interaction. Its sheer size can knock over a small child without any intention to do so. Children and dogs should therefore always have an adult present, and the dog needs a quiet resting place where it will not be disturbed. The same qualification applies to other animals: the standard describes tolerance, but new dogs and cats should be introduced calmly and under control. Prevent chasing, give the cat escape routes and do not leave the animals together unsupervised until their relationship is stable.
A Bloodhound can live in a flat if it receives suitable activity and there is enough space, but a cramped or poorly soundproofed home makes daily life harder. Consider stairs, lifts, car transport, non-slip flooring, somewhere to dry the dog after walks, and how you would handle an ill dog weighing about 50 kilograms. A secure garden is useful but does not replace walks, tracking or companionship.
Being left alone must be introduced gradually after the puppy feels secure in its new home. Begin with very short absences and increase them only while the dog can settle. Arrange a dog sitter, daycare or another solution if the working day regularly means a long absence; the breed’s strong attachment to people makes it unsuitable for a life in which it is left alone all day.
The Bloodhound suits someone who enjoys scent work, has patience with independent decisions and can provide safe boundaries for a very large dog. It is less suitable if you want a dog that can easily be walked off lead, requires little cleaning up, or is content with short routine walks without a mental task.
¶Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Aggressiveness | 2/5 |
| Child Friendly | 4/5 |
| Energy | 4/5 |
| Hair Shedding | 4/5 |
| Health | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 1/5 |
| Grooming Needs | 3/5 |
| Learning Ability | 3/5 |
| Barking Level | 4/5 |
| Height | 58 – 72 cm |
| Weight | 40 – 54 kg |
| Life Expectancy | 7 – 9 years |
¶Frequently Asked Questions
Are Bloodhounds good family dogs and how do they behave with children?
They are typically gentle, tolerant and affectionate with family members, including respectful children. Their large size and enthusiasm can be clumsy, so supervision around small kids is important. Early socialization helps ensure their natural sweetness is combined with good manners in a busy household.
How much exercise does a Bloodhound need and what kind of activities are best?
They need at least 1 to 2 hours of daily activity, with a focus on long, steady walks and scent-based games rather than intense sprinting. Nose work, tracking and structured hikes are ideal outlets for their strong instinct to follow smells. Off leash time must be in secure areas because once they catch a scent they can be very difficult to call back.
Why do Bloodhounds drool so much and how can I manage it at home?
Heavy lips and loose skin around the mouth cause saliva to collect and drip, especially after drinking, eating or exercising. Owners often keep drool towels handy, wipe the mouth regularly and use washable covers on furniture. Good oral hygiene and regular cleaning of the folds around the mouth can help reduce odor and skin irritation associated with drool.
What health problems are Bloodhounds prone to?
They are at increased risk for bloat and gastric torsion, hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections and some eye conditions such as entropion. Skin fold issues and obesity are also common concerns. Choosing a breeder who screens for joint and eye problems and learning the emergency signs of bloat are especially important for this breed.
Are Bloodhounds hard to train and do they listen to commands?
They are intelligent but highly independent and scent driven, which can make training feel slow or inconsistent. Short, reward-based sessions and a calm, patient approach work best. A strong recall is difficult to achieve, so training should be combined with careful management and secure fencing.
Do Bloodhounds make good apartment dogs or do they need a large yard?
They can live in an apartment if they receive ample daily exercise and mental stimulation, but their size, deep voice and drool make them challenging in close quarters. A securely fenced yard is ideal for safe sniffing and roaming. Neighbors may notice their loud baying, so sound tolerance in your building or neighborhood is an important consideration.
How much grooming does a Bloodhound need and how do you care for the wrinkles and ears?
Their short coat is low maintenance and usually only needs weekly brushing to remove loose hair. The skin folds on the face and neck should be gently cleaned and dried to prevent infections. Long, heavy ears need frequent inspection and cleaning since limited air flow makes them prone to moisture buildup and ear problems.
Can a Bloodhound be left alone during the workday or do they get separation anxiety?
Many can tolerate being alone for several hours if their exercise, mental stimulation and social needs are met. They are very people oriented, so long, regular isolation can lead to vocalizing, destructive behavior or stress. Crate training, puzzle feeders and a midday walk or dog sitter can make alone time more manageable.
Are Bloodhounds naturally protective or good guard dogs?
They are more likely to be friendly or reserved than truly protective and are not typically strong guard dogs. Their deep bay can be intimidating and may alert you to visitors, but they are usually not defensive or aggressive by nature. They are better suited as tracking and scent work companions than as personal protection dogs.
Why do Bloodhounds follow scents so intensely and is it safe to walk them off leash?
They have one of the most powerful noses in the dog world and centuries of breeding for tracking work have amplified their drive to follow trails. Once focused on a smell they can become oblivious to traffic, distance and recall commands. For safety, they are best kept on leash or in securely fenced areas rather than trusted off leash in open spaces.¶Comparisons with other breeds
Compare Bloodhound with other breeds and see the differences in temperament, activity level, and care to make a confident choice. Show all comparisons
