Author: evelyn

WHY A
BLOODHOUND

Breed information for prospective owners

The Bloodhound Club

Why a Bloodhound?

The first question to ask prospective owners. “Because I have had the breed for the last twenty years and can’t live without them”, is the answer one hopes for. But one cannot live in a dream world and the answer is more often than not, “I just fancy one”. That’s fair enough but this is not a breed to be taken on lightly.
Bloodhounds are not the most obedient of dogs, mainly because they are ruled by their noses. This doesn’t mean they are totally un-trainable (and therefore there is no point trying), it merely means they require considerably more patience from their handler. They live in a world we cannot begin to understand-the world of scent. Their first instinct is to identify and follow scents though this may sometimes take them in quite the opposite direction to that of your choice. If you respect and admire this ability you are more than halfway to joining the Bloodhound fraternity.
Their coat care is minimal, a regular polish with a soft brush and occasional bath will keep them gleaming, they do however, have the habit in common with most breeds of dog, of shedding hair from time to time. If you are excessively appearance or house proud, they are not the breed for you. The ‘slobber’ is even more of a problem than the hair. Furniture and clothes become victims of what we affectionately call ‘’snail trails’, in fact one can always recognise another Bloodhound owner from the silvery lines on their trousers. A good shake of a Bloodhounds magnificent head can send a slobber missile fifteen feet or more. What goes up must come down- unless it sticks to the ceiling and forms a stalactite.
If by now you are not searching for the address of your nearest Chihuahua breeder, read on – our breed has much to commend

In temperament Bloodhounds are considered to be natures
Gentlemen, courteous to humans and other dogs and extremely
sensitive to their owners feelings. They require daily exercise, but
having had a good gallop are happy to snooze contentedly by the
fire, or in a comfortable kennel. (I personally would never kennel a
hound alone, if you cannot be your hounds constant companion get
a canine one). They are quiet most of the time, although visitors are
heralded. When they do bay it is melodious and doesn’t last for
long.
Bloodhounds are a large breed - much larger than most people
imagine. The males are approximately 27”at the shoulder (withers),
sometimes taller, which means they can (and will) steal from a table
(29”) without needing to lift one foot off the floor. They are heavy,
males weigh at least 8 stones, often much more. Being so large they
naturally need a large amount of food, which is not cheap: keeping
just one hound you would probably need to budget about£30 per
week for food and insurance etc. They carry their tails high and
wag them often hard and strong enough to clear your lowest
shelves of all those priceless ornaments! Their ears (called leathers)
are long and heavy, almost always wet or sticky or both, from being
dipped in their food and water bowls, and covered in dirt from
sweeping the ground. An old towel ( we call them slobber cloths )
becomes your constant appendage to wipe their mouths and ears,
and the clothing etc. of your guests.
Bloodhounds can fall ill from most of the canine ailments that
affect any breed, but they do, because of their physical
construction, appear particularly susceptible to gastric torsion.
This is a twisting of the gut that causes the hound great distress,
and unless veterinary help is immediately called, is usually fatal
This is commonly known in the breed as “bloat”, and all breeders
This is commonly known in the breed as “bloat”, and all breeders

owners are constantly on guard to watch for signs. Many of the larger breeds suffer from this.
Their ears need to be kept clean internally. Because of the length and weight of the ears air cannot get to the inside and they need to be regularly cleaned with a little lubricant on a soft cloth.
Bloodhound eyes are, despite their appearance, remarkably free of most of the diseases that can affect canine eyes, but they do occasionally suffer from entropion (an in-turning of the lashes). This is an inherited condition which, due to the efforts of breeders, has been largely bred out.
Why not enjoy the many benefits of The Bloodhound Club or ABB membership for an introductory fee of £10 for the year. For this you will receive a quarterly magazine, reduced entry fees at Club events which include Shows,, Working Trials, Training Days and Fun Days. For more info: please contact the Bloodhound Club Chairman Keith Long at nortonedge@gmail.com .
We sometimes need permanent, loving homes for rescued Bloodhounds, who, often through no fault of their own, need a new home. If you think you could offer a home to a rescued hound who might demand extra patience and care then please contact one of the above for details of current Bloodhound orphans. The rewards from a rescued hound can be tremendous, so please consider it.
WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT FROM A BREEDER ?
Firstly, to be interrogated about yourself, your home and your lifestyle before you even meet the breeder. To see the puppies with their dam and if possible, their sire. Request information on health testing of the parents, which can include BVA hip and elbow scoring, BVA heart testing, DM testing and eye testing. At the time of buying the puppy, to be given the pedigree, a diet sheet, a receipt, and the KC registration (not always possible) along with a comprehensive puppy pack and contract. Finally, on-going help with advice, feeding and general health. Still interested? For a list of reputable breeders and details of those who may currently have puppies etc. please contact either the Kennel Club Assured breeder Scheme or the Bloodhound Club Chairman Keith Long at
nortonedge@gmail.com or visit the website http://www.thebloodhoundclub.org.uk/
or visit their website: http://www.associationofbloodhoundbreeders.co.uk/