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Bloodhound

Aptly named, Bloodhounds have the finest sense of smell of any domestic animal.  Affable and gentle, the Bloodhound displays exceptional tracking skills but has no further interest in its prey once it has located it.  Its distinctive appearance, featuring deep facial "wrinkles" and large, drooping ears, provides the key to the Bloodhound's scent-tracking skills, because the scent is held in the facial folds and ears.

Breed Category

Hound

Temperament

These are affectionate animals, reliable with children, and they are happy in a domestic environment.  They are not always easy to train, and some prospective owners may be put off by their tendency to drool profusely.

Appearance

Bloodhounds have a permanently mournful expression because of the long dewlaps of loose skin that hang down from the face, along with pendulous, soft ears.  Their large ribcages house an efficient cardiovascular system, and with powerful shoulders and strong backs, the whole frame ensures that they have great stamina.  Coats are short and dense, colored red, liver, and tan, or black and tan.  The white variety, dating from medieval times, was known as the Talbot Hound.

Size:    Height at withers 24-26 in

Weight:    80-110 lbs  

Exercise Requirements:    Considerable

Grooming Requirements:    Moderate

Life Expectancy:    10-12 years

Things to Consider

1. These dogs drool profusely

2. May have tendency to bark a lot

 

Source

Information taken from "DOGS: An Owner's Guide"

Writer and Editor: Helen Stillwell

Photo taken from www.akc.org