Bloodhound - TOP 10 Interesting Facts

1) St. Hubert Hound
First written records about Bloodhounds first appear in English writing in the early 14th century, but it is believed that there was almost identical hound in England even before that, it just had a different name – the St. Hubert Hound a dog which is believed to be developed in the 7th century by St. Hubert of Belgium and his monks.

2) In England
It is believed that William the Conqueror brought few of these St. Hubert Hounds with him back to England in 1066 and that the dog we know today as a Bloodhound is a descendant of these dogs. But in some countries, especially in the French speaking countries, it is very common to still call this dog as a St. Hubert Hound and not as a Bloodhound.

3) Name
While the name might suggesting that this is a fierce fighter who loves blood, the etymology of the name is different. According to the most recent theories, the name meaning is 'hound of pure or noble blood' and indeed, the bloodhound was beloved by royalty. But there is another explanation from 16th century by John Caius who claimed, that the name meaning is a blood seeking hound.

4) Purpose
Initially bloodhounds were used to track deer and other game. They are just made for this job, they have high endurance, tenacious tracking instinct and extraordinary sense of smell. Later, the Bloodhound was also used to not only track animals, but people as well. And even today, the Bloodhound is used for search and rescue work and as law enforcement assists. According to the FCI breed standard, they can also serve as service dogs and of course, as great family companions.

5) Nose
With no doubt, the Bloodhound has one of the best noses in the dog universe, according to some sources, they have the best sense of smell of all dogs. According to those, this big hound has 300 million scent receptors — more than any other breed.

6) Family companion
But when the Bloodhound is not working, they make excellent companions. This breed is known to be kind, gentle and affectionate. They are also very tolerant and patient with children, but you should always monitor the situation with a dog and a small child. The Bloodhound is a pack animals and he will enjoy company of other dogs.

7) Training
This is a smart dog, but also a very independent one, which means that the training is not the easiest. Because of that, they are not the best choice for novices, they do need a firm and patient trainer who will properly train them and socialize them.

8) Vocal dog
If you are buying or adopting a Bloodhound, you should be prepared for a very vocal dog. It is one of the most melodious dog of all and they are known not only for barking, but also for whining, howling and baying. Sometimes it really looks, like they are trying to have a conversation with you.

9) High energy
On the first sight, the Bloodhound does not look like an athlete or very energetic dog. They look kinda lazy. But, do not be fooled by that, this is a worker and highly energetic dog. They definitely need daily longer walks to stay healthy and happy, and they will do best in a home with a large fenced yard.

10 Size
The Bloodhound is a large dog with long droopy ears and wrinkled skin, especially on the face. The average height should be between 58-72 cm, which is 23-28 inch and weight is typically between 40-54 kg, which is 88-119 pounds. The females tend to be little bit smaller than males.