Bloodhound

Saint-Hubert Hound

The Bloodhound is an excellent hunting dog, used for searching but also an excellent life companion. This magnificent specimen with his melancholy and noble appearance is an extraordinary family dog. His constancy, joie de vivre, loyalty and emotional presence make him a member of the family in his own right. In the United Kingdom, some teams use him nowadays quite often for "Clean-Boot" hunt, a leisure sport derived from hunting, consisting in having a pack of dogs track them. Clean-Boot teams probably work with the largest number of these beautiful purebred dogs.

Height 58 to 69 cm
Weight 36 to 50 kg
Life expectancy 10 to 12 years
Hair Loss High
Excercise Need High
Home country Belgium

Quick Overview of the Bloodhound

Temperament

  • Sensitive and reserved
  • Very faithful to his master
  • Very gentle with the family
  • Patient and dedicated

Appearance

  • Massive, heavy and imposing
  • Very slow pace
  • Dome-shaped head
  • Beautiful long drooping ears

Health

  • Usually healthy
  • Eyes to watch
  • No particular pathology

Temperament of the Bloodhound

Sensitive and reserved, the Bloodhound is the dog of one master. He is very loyal.

This dignified and noble dog is very gentle with all members of his family, large or small. Patient and devoted, he is an excellent companion for children.

The female is easier to live with than the male, especially in family. As the male generally has a stronger character, he needs a firmer and more muscular education without ever being aggressive or violent. Education must be gentle.

Obedient and calm, this dog is very perseverant in what he undertakes. He is not aggressive but he is sometimes suspicious of strangers.

bloodhound temperament

Breed Appearance

bloodhound

Massive, heavy, imposing and slow paced, the Saint-Hubert Hound is nevertheless the most powerful of all hounds.

His expression gives him a remarkable majesty and allure. In spite of his apparent heaviness, his silhouette reveals his softness and great kindness.

Height

Between 58 and 69 cm (22.83 to 27.17 inches) for the male
Between 58 and 69 cm (22.83 to 27.17 inches) for the female

Weight

Between 36 and 50 kg (79.37 to 110.23 pounds) for the male
Between 36 and 50 kg (79.37 to 110.23 pounds) for the female

Color

His dress is red or black and red.

Hair

His coat is short, dense and smooth.

Morphology

His head is dome-shaped with sagging skin. His eyes are dark brown or hazelnut color and diamond shaped.

His beautiful drooping ears are long and curly. His nose is generally black. His long tail is elegantly curved.

According to the FCI breeds nomenclature, this breed belongs to group 6, section 1 and is #84

Characteristics of the Bloodhound

Does this dog suit your lifestyle?

Every dog breed has its own characteristics. However, the actual character of a dog can vary from one to another within the same breed.

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Life in an apartment
Good first dog
Tolerates solitude
Tolerates cold weather
Tolerates hot weather
Affectionate
Friendly with children
Friendly with strangers
Friendly with other animals
Hair loss
Drooling level
Easy to care for
Robust health
Easy to train
Intelligent
Tendency to bark
Tendency to nibble
Protective
Instinct to hunt
Adventurous spirit
Energy level
Level of intensity
Need for exercise
Playful

Tips About this breed

This special-looking, gentle and quiet dog can live in a house with his family without any issue.

However, it is advisable to have a large garden where he'll be able to carry out his daily exercise.

As he tends to become an expert in destruction and evasion, it is preferable that the garden be enclosed and free of valuable objects.

Regular monitoring is essential in his case because he will tend to take advantage of any opportunity to escape or destroy what surrounds him.

It is essential to educate him early on in a firm and non-violent manner. He hates violence, and this can make him aggressive if imposed on him.

The Bloodhound has an extraordinary sense of smell that is totally superior to other dogs.

For him, following a trail is easy and can be very useful on certain occasions. It is therefore advisable to add this component to his education.

Health of the Bloodhound

Very powerful and robust, the Bloodhound is usually in excellent health.

His eyes should be monitored to avoid irritation but no pathology is related to the breed.

GROOMING

His dress requires no special care. A light brushing from time to time and regular inspection of his drooping ears and eyes are preferable.

History of this breed

Originally from Belgium, the ancestors of this hunting dog were apparently bred by Saint-Hubert, a Christian saint who lived in the 7th century.

The eponymous breed is said to have originated from this period, although the first descriptions of the Bloodhound are attributed to Gaston Phébus in his "Livre de chasse".

Legend has it that God appeared to Saint-Hubert when he deserted Good Friday to run in the woods to practise his favourite sport, hunting.

Following this appearance, Saint-Hubert changed his life radically. After his death, the monks decided to keep the breed of dog he had created during his lifetime. Six magnificent specimens were given to the King of France each year for royal venery.

The Saint-Hubert Hound was later abandoned in favor of new breeds that the sellers described as faster.

Following the death of Saint-Hubert, a festival was established in Belgium to pay tribute to him annually. This festival is accompanied by a blessing of the dogs which has become a tradition today. Every 3rd of November, Saint-Hubert is celebrated in Tervuren where the dogs are blessed in his honor.

The breed almost disappeared completely after the French Revolution, but under Napoleon III, the breed experienced a renaissance. Count Jean-Emmanuel Hector Le Couteulx de Canteleu was instrumental in the revival of the Bloodhound. The breed owes its revival to him.

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