BLOODHOUNDS
History
The bloodhound has a long and noble history. The breed was perfected in the 7th century by St. Hubert of Belgium and his monks. Since then, these dogs have frequently associated with royalty. William the Conqueror brought several bloodhounds with him when he arrived in England in 1066, and modern bloodhounds are descended from those dogs. Meanwhile, back in Belgium, St. Hubert's monastery continued to present the king of France with a pair of black and tan bloodhounds every year. Even today, in French-speaking parts of Europe, these dogs are known as St. Hubert hounds.
Initially bloodhounds were used to track deer and other game. By the 16th century, however, they also were used to track people. Today bloodhounds assist with law enforcement as well as search and rescue efforts. Their abilities are so highly regarded that trails performed by proven trailing bloodhounds are admissible as evidence in court.
Physical Characteristics
The bloodhound is a very large dog with long droopy ears and wrinkled skin, especially on the face. The jowls and sunken eyes give this dog a dignified, mournful expression.
The coat is short, rather hard to the touch, and carries one of three possible color combinations: black and tan, liver and tan, or red. Some black and tan and liver and tan bloodhounds are predominantly black or liver except for some tan spots on the legs and face.
Adult male bloodhounds generally range between 25 and 27 inches in height. Weights range from 90 to 130 pounds (40 to 60 kilograms). Females average 23 to 25 inches in height. Their weights average 80 to 100 pounds (36 to 45 kilograms).
The bloodhound is a gentle, patient, noble and mild-mannered animal. He's especially good with children and is known to be exceptionally tolerant of tots who clamber over him. He also generally gets along well with other animals.
Beneath this mild-mannered demeanor, however, run deep streaks of determination and independence. A bloodhound has a mind of his own, and tends to make his own decisions rather than obey his person's commands. This tendency is especially true if the dog has detected an interesting scent; if that happens, he'll be single-minded in his determination to follow the trail as far as he possibly can.
The bloodhound is one of the most melodious members of dogdom. He can perform full canine arias that feature expressive baying, howling, and whining.
Living With Your Bloodhound
Bloodhounds can be wonderful canine companions, but they also can be a tremendous challenge. They are relatively slow to mature, hitting adolescence at about one year of age and not reaching full maturity until at least the age of two. During that adolescent period, the bloodhound is likely to be boisterous, clumsy, curious about any interesting scent, and fearless about eating anything that smells interesting. This tendency to eat includes such inappropriate objects as TV remote controls, towels, batteries, and car seats, which results in expensive post-tasting surgery to remove those objects.
This dog's long jowls make him a prodigious drooler, and with a quick turn of his head, he can hurl that drool as far as 20 feet.
The bloodhound's tenacity and independence can make training a challenge. Patience and consistency is needed to teach him basic good manners. Do not let your bloodhound off leash, except in a securely enclosed area. An interesting scent will spark a single-minded pursuit that will make the bloodhound impervious to his guardian's commands. Like other large dogs, the bloodhound's life span is relatively short, about 10 years.
Bloodhound Standard
General Appearance: The Bloodhound possesses, in a most marked degree, every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent (Sagaces). He is very powerful, and stands over more ground that is usual with hounds of other breeds. The skin is thin to the touch and extremely loose, this being more especially noticeable about the head and neck, where it hangs in deep folds. The expression is noble and dignified, and characterized by solemnity, wisdom, and power.
Temperament: In temperament he is extremely affectionate, neither quarrelsome with companions nor with other dogs. His nature is somewhat shy, and equally sensitive to kindness or correction by his master.
Size: Height - the mean average height of adult dogs is 26 in. (66 cm) and of adult bitches 24 in. (61 cm). Dogs usually vary from 25 - 27 inc. (64 - 69 cm) and bitches from 23 - 25 in. (58 - 64 cm); but, in either case, the greater height is to be preferred, provided that character and quality are also combined. Weight - the mean average weight of adult dogs in fair condition is 90 lb. (41 kg), and of adult bitches 80 lb. (36 kg). Dogs attain the weight of 110 lb. (50 kg), bitches 100 lb. (45 kg). The greater weights are to be preferred, provided (as in the case of height) that quality and proportion are also combined.
Coat and Colour: The colours are black and tan, red and tan, and tawny; the darker colours being sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-coloured hair, and sometimes flecked with white. A small amount of white is permissible on chest, feet and tip of stern
Head: The head is narrow in proportion to its length, and long in proportion to the body, tapering but slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle, thus (when viewed from above and in front) having the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its entire length. In profile the upper outline of the skull is nearly in the same plane as that of the foreface. The length from end of nose to stop (midway between the eyes) should be not less than from stop to back of occipital protuberance (peak). The entire length of head from the posterior part of the occipital protuberance to the end of the muzzle should be 12 in. (30 cm), or more, in dogs, and 11 in. (28 cm), or more in bitches. The skull is long and narrow, with the occipital peak very pronounced. The brows are not prominent although, owing to the deep set eyes, they may have that appearance. The foreface is long, deep, and of even width throughout, with square outline when seen in profile. The nostrils are large and open. In front the lips fall squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface; whilst behind they form deep hanging flews and, being continued into the pendant folds of loose skin about the neck, constitute the dewlap, which is very pronounced. These characteristics are found, though in a lesser degree, in the bitch. The eyes are deeply sunk in the orbits, the lids assuming a lozenge or diamond shape, in consequence of the lower lids being dragged down and everted by the heavy flews. The eyes correspond with the general tone of colour of the animal, varying from deep hazel to yellow. The hazel colour is, however, to be preferred, although very seldom seen in red and tan hounds. The ears are thin and soft to the touch, extremely long, set very low, and fall in graceful folds, the lower parts curling inwards and backwards. The head is furnished with an amount of loose skin, which in nearly every position appears superabundant, but more particularly so when the head is carried low; the skin then falls into loose, pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the forehead and sides of the face.
Neck: the neck is long.
Forequarters: The shoulders are muscular and well sloped backwards. The forelegs are straight and large in bone, with elbows squarely set; the feet strong and well knuckled up.
Body: The ribs are well sprung; and the chest well let down between the forelegs, forming a deep keel. The back and loins are strong, the latter deep and slightly arched.
Hindquarters: The thighs and second thighs (gaskins) are very muscular; the hocks well bent and let down and squarely set.
Tail: The stern is long and tapering, and set on rather high, with a moderate amount of hair underneath.
Gait: The gait is elastic, swinging and free, the stern being carried high, but not too much curled over the back.