Is the bloodhound the right breed for you?

Bloodhounds are intelligent, goofy, affectionate characters. They love their people, and some of them never grow up. We have seen many 10-year-old bloodhound "puppies"! This breed stole our hearts over 20 years ago, and we cannot imagine life without these clowns. However, this breed is not for everyone!

Bloodhounds are large (80+ pounds girls; 100+ pounds boys) sloppy dogs that require special care. They are hounds through and through, and can, at times, be stubborn and uncooperative. A bloodhound is a dog behind a nose. Many become selectively deaf when the nose hits the ground, often becoming so focused on scent they ignore your repeated "requests". Bloodhounds MUST have a fenced area; they will trail for miles before knowing they have left your property. They are frequently stolen, and because they have no road sense, are often hit by cars. A loose bloodhound is a dead or missing bloodhound. If you are not committed to providing a large secure fenced area, please consider another breed. They need plenty of exercise and do not belong in small pens or concrete kennel runs. They are also not apartment dogs and are not welcomed by many landlords.

Bloodhounds LOVE their people. In the evenings, when you sit down to relax, they want to be with you. They are not suitable for someone who likes a very neat and orderly house. They can carry pounds of mud on those big feet, and can clear your coffee table with the wag of a tail. They slobber and drool, and given the chance, they love to drink out of the toilet! Bloodhounds need a well-structured routine; they thrive on the same daily schedule. Purchasing a bloodhound should be a family decision. If any member of the family wants another breed, for the sake of family harmony, please do not buy a bloodhound. A trained bloodhound is good with children, but plan cautiously if you have very small children. Any untrained 100 pound dog can be a disaster with children.

A bloodhound requires much of your time. All bloodhounds need obedience training. If you have not trained a bloodhound or a large breed dog, we ask that you enroll the pup in obedience classes. They should be trained and socialized early, before they reach an enormous size and learn all those bad habits. If you skip the classes because you do not have time to train, you will have an unruly 75+ pound puppy that does not know how to follow the simplest commands. No one wants to spend time with this dog, and the dog is often banished to a pen to live a lonely life.

Bloodhounds are a "high maintenance" breed. They require frequent maintenance- ear cleanings, eye cleanings, toe nail clippings, adequate flea protection, and sometimes frequent trips to the vet. They are susceptible to many health problems (see Health Problems). They do not thrive on a bowl of food, a bucket of water, and a dog house.

If you are not discouraged by all the hard work, devotion, slobber, and mess, you may be the right person to be owned by a bloodhound.