Bloodhound
This page is educational reference material for preparing questions. A licensed veterinarian examines the animal, makes the diagnosis, and sets the treatment.
Affiliate links may earn a commission. Affiliate disclosure.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Breed Group | Hound |
| Size | Large (80-110 lbs) |
| Height | 23-27 in |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Temperament | Friendly, Independent, Inquisitive |
| Good with Kids | Good |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Exercise Needs | Moderate |
| Grooming Needs | Low |
Recommended for Bloodhounds
The Farmer's Dog - Fresh meals tailored to breed size | Embark DNA - Screen for breed-specific conditions | Spot Insurance - Coverage for Bloodhound health issues
Save on Bloodhound Care
Chewy Autoship - 35% off first Autoship order, then 5% off repeat orders | Lemonade Pet - Accident & illness plans; prices vary by pet and state | K9 Training Institute - Expert Bloodhound training
A nose with a dog attached
Bloodhounds stand about 23 to 27 inches and weigh 80 to 110 pounds. Lifespan is often 10 to 12 years. They are friendly, independent, and built to follow a track for miles. A pet home that wants a shadow dog will feel ignored. A pet home that wants a calm house guest will meet a baying hound at the fence.
They are usually good with children and often good with other dogs. Exercise is a real walk, not a sprint, because joints and a heavy body do not want hours of fetch on pavement. The loose skin is not dirt. It is anatomy that needs drying.
Eyelids, ears, and GDV
Entropion, ectropion, ear infections, hip dysplasia, and gastric dilatation-volvulus are the list. A bloodhound that retches and cannot vomit is a surgical emergency. Elbow and hip trouble show up as a slower rise from the bed. VCA covers entropion. Squinting or a paw at the eye is not a wrinkle you can wipe away, and the checker helps you decide whether the drive is tonight.
Bloodhound questions
Will a bloodhound come when called?
Not once the nose turns on. Fence the yard, use a long line, and do not expect a recall to beat a scent trail. That is the breed working, not a training failure you fix with a sharper voice.
Do they bay?
Yes. The voice carries. A townhouse with thin walls is a poor match unless you enjoy conversations with the neighbor.
How do you handle the wrinkles?
Wipe them dry. A wet fold is dermatitis. The same goes for the lip and the ear. This is a few minutes a day, forever.
A Bloodhound's nose outranks your recall. Off leash near a road is how these dogs get killed. The ears need cleaning and drying or the infection never leaves. Skin folds do the same on the face. Bloat, with unproductive retching and a tight abdomen, is immediate surgery. Hips, elbows, and eyelids that roll in are the screening list, and the lifespan is shorter than the puppy suggests. They drool. Heat and anesthesia are both risks because of the size and the face. A tracking hobby is optional. The nose is not. Count on about 10-12 years with this animal when it stays healthy.
Life with a Bloodhound settles into a rhythm that most owners come to genuinely enjoy. The daily routines of care, exercise, and interaction become part of the fabric of your household rather than a burden.