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Bloodhound

General
Other Names		St Hubert Hound, Chien du St Hubert
Dog Group Kennel Club		Hound
Breed Classification		The Bloodhound belongs to the hound group and is the largest and most powerful of them all. They are used in tracking, as companions and seen in the show-ring.
Cost of Ownership
Average Food Cost		£7.50-10 per week
Feeding Requirements		These dogs are very large eaters and it will cost around £10 per week to feed them.
		Try Royal Canin Breed Specific Dog Food
Other Expenses		A puppy will cost from £800 upwards.
Average Puppy Price		>£800
Lifespan		< 9 years Bloodhounds usually live until they are 8 or 9 years old, but many of them can and do live longer.
Average Litter Size		9 Litter sizes vary greatly in the Bloodhound with few to as many as 15 pups. The average is 9 or 10.
General Physical Description		Easily recognisable because of their noble, wrinkly heads, droopy lower eyelids and long pendulous ears, Bloodhounds have powerful bodies and limbs which make them truly big dogs! They have short, smooth coats and move with free, elastic strides. Their voices are full, musical and sonorous.
Height Min Max Bitch 58cm (23") 63cm (25") Dog 63cm (25") 69cm (27") Weight Min Max Bitch 36kg (79lbs) 45kg (99lbs) Dog 41kg (90lbs) 50kg (110lbs)
Size Category		Giant
Weight Height Range		Bitches measure between 58 to 63cms at the withers and weigh between 36 to 45kgs, dogs measure between 63 to 69cms and weigh between 41 to 50kgs.
Ailments		This breed is relatively free from serious hereditary and congenital conditions, although hip and elbow dysplasia have been reported. The most common problems are eye-related due to the lower eyelids drooping, debris gathering and infections setting in. Owing to their long, pendant ears, infections are also common therein. This breed is also known to suffer from bloat and complications in bone growth.
Common Ailments		Ear infections Complication in bone growth
Susceptibility To Illness		Medium
Other
History		The ancestry of the modern Bloodhound can be traced back to the monastery of St Huberts. These dogs were called 'Segusius' and were originally used to track wolves, big cats or deer, or to follow the trail of wounded game. When the Normans conquered England in 1066AD they introduced many of their dogs and the St Hubert Hound was one of those brought to England and became known as Bloodhounds; or to be more precise, the black and tan dogs were, the whites were called Talbot Hounds. The modern Bloodhound is not the identical dog of that time but is still called the Chien du St Hubert in Belgium. The first Bloodhound seen in the show-ring in England was in 1871.
Intelligence		To succeed in training this breed, the new owner will need plenty of patience and consistency. Bloodhounds do have minds of their own but can be surprisingly sensitive. They are more profound than quick-witted. There are classes and trials for tracking and participation in this is to be recommended.
Show Characteristics		The skull is long and narrow with a very pronounced occiput and an abundance of loose skin especially over the forehead and sides of the face. The eyes should be medium-sized and dark brown or hazel in colour. The ears should be thin and soft to the touch, very long and falling in gracefold folds. The jaws should be strong with a complete scissor bite. The neck is long adjoining muscular and well-sloped shoulders. The forelegs should be large, straight with round bone. The thighs and second thighs should be very muscular. The back and loins should be strong. The feet should be well-knuckled up and strong. When moving the tail should be carried high. The preferred colours for the show ring are black and tan, liver and tan or red. A limited amount of white is allowed on the chest, feet and the tip of the tail.
Country Of Origin		Belgium
Famous Examples
Records Held
Characteristics
Energy		High
Overall Exercise		> 2 hours per day. Because of their size and growth rate, do not over-exercise as puppies. Care must be taken in the first year to ensure their bones and joints are given a proper chance to grow. They have phenominal stamina and, as adults, will need plenty exercise. Make sure the garden is well-fenced as they are primarily tracking dogs, and, once on the trail of an enticing smell, will be desperate to find its source! Their sense of smell is said to be two million times greater than that of a human's! If not given sufficient exercise they can be boisterous! They will be about 3 years old before they reach full maturity.
Distress Caused if Left Alone
Personal Protection		Medium
Suitability As Guard Dog		Low
Risk of Sheep Worrying		High
Tendency to Bark		Low
Ease of Transportation		Medium
Level of Aggression		Low
Compatibility With Other Animals		High
Suitable For Children		Medium
General Character And Temperament		These are gentle-natured, affectionate dogs who usually get on well with children and can live in harmony with other dogs and household pets. They are friendly and tenacious dogs who will welcome both wanted and unwanted visitors. Despite their size, they are not good guard dogs and would never dream of attacking. They have sweet and even temperaments and are the one of the most patient and kindest of dogs in the dogworld. Whilst quiet in the house, they can be very vocal outdoors. They are family dogs and do not like to be left alone.
Grooming
Coat Length		Short/Smooth
Grooming Requirement		< Once a week
Trimming		None
Requires Professional Groomer
Grooming		There is little grooming needed for this breed as the coat is short and smooth. A brush over once in a while will suffice to remove loose and dead hairs. No trimming is ever required. However, regular checks should be made of their ears and eyes to ensure early diagnosis of any infections.
Colour		Bloodhounds are usually black and tan, liver and tan and plain tan.
Shedding		Little
Suffers From Allergies
Tendency to Cause Allergies

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