Bloodhound E-Book

Nona Kilgore Bauer

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 246

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2011

Beschreibung

This Comprehensive Owner's Guide to the most famous "nose" in the dog world;the Bloodhound;serves as a complete introduction to this remarkable breed, whose "nasal testimony" stands up in a court of law. The most famous search and rescue dog on the planet, the Bloodhound is revered as a noble and keenly determined working scenthound, whose abilities include tracking lost children, escaped criminals, poachers, large game, and thousand of gloves (at AKC tracking tests).The first chapter of the book is dedicated to the breed's beginnings in Europe, originally raised by clerics at the famed St. Hubert monastery in the Ardennes region of France and spreading in popularity to Switzerland, England, and the United States. The book continues with chapters on the breed's characteristics and breed standard, offering sound advice about which owners are best suited to this large and somewhat demanding dog. New owners will welcome the well-prepared chapter on finding a breeder and selecting a healthy, sound puppy. Chapters on puppy-proofing the home and yard, purchasing the right supplies for the puppy as well as house-training, feeding, and grooming are illustrated with handsome adults and puppies bursting with energy and personality!In all, there are over 135 photographs in this compact and reliable volume. The author's advice on obedience training will help the reader better mold and train his or her dog into the most socialized, well-mannered dog in the neighborhood. The extensive chapter on healthcare by Dr. Lowell Ackerman provides up-to-date detailed information on selecting a qualified veterinarian, vaccinations, preventing and dealing with parasites, infectious diseases, and more.The final chapter on solving behavior problems discusses how dogs think and offers solutions to commonly encountered issues, such as separation anxiety, barking, digging, and more. Sidebars throughout the text offer helpful hints, covering topics as diverse as historical kennels, toxic plants, first aid, crate training, carsickness, fussy eaters, and parasite control. Fully indexed.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of theBloodhound

(from the American Kennel Clubbreed standard)

Eyes: 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 color of the animal, varying from deep hazel to yellow. The hazel color is, however, to be preferred, although very seldom seen in liver-and-tan hounds.

Skull: 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.

Head: 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.

Nostrils: Large and open.

Lips, Flews, and Dewlap: In front the lips fall squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface; while 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.

Mouth: A scissors bite is preferred, level bite accepted.

Ears: Thin and soft to the touch, extremely long, set very low, and fall in graceful folds, the lower parts curling inward and backward.

Neck: Long.

Wrinkle: 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.

Forequarters: Shoulders muscular and well sloped backwards; the ribs are well sprung; and the chest well let down between the forelegs, forming a deep keel.

Legs and Feet: The forelegs are straight and large in bone, with elbows squarely set; the feet strong and well knuckled up; the thighs and second thighs (gaskins) are very muscular; the hocks well bent and let down and squarely set.

Tail: (Stern) Long and tapering, and set on rather high, with a moderate amount of hair underneath.

Back and Loin: Strong, the latter deep and slightly arched.

Weight: The mean average weight of adult dogs, in fair condition, is 90 pounds, and of adult bitches 80 pounds. Dogs attain the weight of 110 pounds, bitches 100 pounds. The greater weights are to be preferred, provided (as in the case of height) that quality and proportion are also combined.

Size: Height: The mean average height of adult dogs is 26 inches, and of adult bitches 24 inches. Dogs usually vary from 25 inches to 27 inches, and bitches from 23 inches to 25 inches; but, in either case, the greater height is to be preferred, provided that character and quality are also combined.

Color: The colors are black and tan, liver and tan, and red; the darker colors being sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-colored hair, and sometimes flecked with white.

General Character: 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 than 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.

Contents

History of the Bloodhound

Track down the origins of the Bloodhound’s name and the breed’s beginnings in Europe. Immerse yourself in the romantic spectacle that surrounds this breed’s hunting past, leading back to the Graeco-Persian wars and the Norman Conquest. Learn about the breed’s relations in Switzerland and the successful breeders that are responsible for the Bloodhound’s survival and recognition around the world.

Characteristics of the Bloodhound

Meet the expressive and solemn Bloodhound face to face. Find out whether you are an ideal candidate for Bloodhound ownership. Read about the Bloodhound’s temperament and find out whether the breed is recommended for children, other animals, etc. Put your nose to the trail and learn about the sport of man-trailing, the Bloodhound’s bred-for purpose and skill.

Breed Standard for the Bloodhound

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Bloodhound by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Bloodhound

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Bloodhound puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and solving basic puppy problems.

Everyday Care of Your Bloodhound

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Bloodhound every day: feeding for the puppy, adult and senior dog; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs for your dog. Also discussed are the essentials of dog identification.

Training Your Bloodhound

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Bloodhound, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Enter Puppy Kindergarten and introduce the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your Bloodhound

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Your Senior Bloodhound

Know when to consider your Bloodhound a senior and what special needs he will have. Learn to recognize the signs of aging in terms of physical and behavioral traits and what your vet can do to optimize your dog’s golden years. Consider some advice about saying goodbye to your beloved pet.

Showing Your Bloodhound

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here’s how to get started in AKC shows, how they are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into the realms of obedience trials, agility, earthdog events and tracking tests.

Behavior of Your Bloodhound

Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your Bloodhound tick. The following potential problems are addressed: aggression (fear-biting, inter-canine and dominant), separation anxiety, sexual misconduct, chewing, digging, jumping up, barking and food-related problems.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®BLOODHOUNDISBN 13: 978-1-59378-323-5eISBN 13: 978-1-59378-962-6

Copyright © 2004 • Kennel Club Books® A Division of BowTie, Inc.40 Broadt Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 USACover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in China

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form,by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, orincorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic ormechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Carol Ann Johnson and Michael Trafford with additional photographs by

T.J. Calhoun, Isabelle Français, Bill Jonas, Pro. Dr. Robert L Pfeifer, Jr. and Alice van Kempen.

Illustrations by Renée Low and Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank Dawn Bather, Joyce Denwood, Gary Freeman,Iain & Patricia Eason, the Gaillards, the Kretzners, Claudette R. Lyons, Celeste Meade,Michael Moore, Jerrilyn D. Petty, Lisa Slinsky, Andrea & Dennis Teirneyand the rest of the owners of the dogs featured in this book.

This hunting pack of modern-day Bloodhounds from Great Britain speaks volumes about the history of this fascinating breed of scenthound.

Few breeds of dog can claim the rich and colorful history that distinguishes the scenthounds from other members of the canine clan. In fact, of the many breeds of dog existing in this modern world, the hound is the most ancient. Dating back to the pre-Christian era over 4,000 years ago, hound development intertwines with that of man into a most important human/canine evolution.

The very name hound—or Bloodhound—conjures up impressive, vivid images: a massive animal with its nose to the ground, relentlessly tracking man or beast; a large and threatening dog in determined pursuit of some unseen quarry, whether victim or villain; a ferocious canine beast frothing to attack its prey.

The Bloodhound indeed may be its own combination of these romantic images. The name Bloodhound does not mean “bloodthirsty beast,” as some believe the term implies. The name is derived from the term “blooded hound,” which means a dog of pure breeding whose genes, or “blood,” is untainted by other breeds of dog.

The Bloodhound as a specific breed was originally developed and bred centuries ago at the famed St. Hubert Monastery in the mountainous Ardennes region of France. The Bloodhound strain was then perpetuated by church clerics and those members of the nobility who fancied hunting and prized the hounds for their unique abilities.

From 1932, this photo shows Bloodhounds that were actual police dogs owned and used by the Chief Constable of Sussex (England).

Thanks to the monastic bent for keeping records through the ages, we have documentation of the hounds that are direct ancestors of the dog we know today as the Bloodhound. In fact, recorded history dating back to 4000 BC offers evidence of massive hound-type canines that were used as war dogs as well as hunting dogs.

The Greek historian Herodotus, born in the 5th century BC, in his account of the Graeco-Persian wars wrote of the dogs’ great value during times of both peace and war. Stone artwork from that era also substantiates historical data showing Bloodhound-type dogs with long tails curled over the back. Herodotus reported that the dogs were especially prized by the monarchs of Mesopotamia (known today as Iraq) and other regions of western Asia.

Another stone carving, dating back even further, to the 7th century BC, and found in the royal palace at Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria, depicts powerful hunting dogs who possessed the heavy heads and pendulous ears typical of the Bloodhound.

SCHWEISSHUNDEN

The black hounds of Ardennes were known as “schweisshunden”…slow, deliberate, heavy-skinned tracking dogs who trailed with great persistence and possessed exquisite noses and melodious voices. They originally cold-trailed game such as wolves, big cats or deer or trailed wounded game.

These dogs’ importance to their culture extended far beyond the battlefield. Their scenting prowess and trailing abilities were essential to the food chain, since hunting for food provisions was as vital to survival as was victory in war. So it is understandable that such dogs were highly prized by royalty as well as commoners.

The migration of the hounds into western Europe in later centuries continues to be a matter of speculation. Historians theorize that warriors and migrants took their dogs with them as they migrated into France and England. The Romans described finding magnificent hounds with superb scenting ability when they arrived in Britain in 55 BC. These hounds pursued their quarry with a perseverance unmatched by any others they had seen.

Those same hounds were introduced to the French monastery by the crusaders returning from the east, crusaders who also brought other new kinds of animals, new ideas and philosophies. Named the St. Hubertus Branchen, after the monks at that monastery, these hounds were powerful, heavily built dogs, of medium height, who were somewhat long in body. They possessed excellent noses coupled with extraordinary hunting ability. Most were all black with red or fawn markings over their eyes and on their legs, and occasional white marks on the chest. The hounds had superior cold-trailing ability and are the progenitors of all scenthounds known in history or existing now.

CANIS LUPUS

“Grandma, what big teeth you have!” The gray wolf, a familiar figure in fairy tales and legends, has had its reputation tarnished and its population pummeled over the centuries. Yet it is the descendants of this much-feared creature to which we open our homes and hearts. Our beloved dog, Canis domesticus, derives directly from the gray wolf, a highly social canine that lives in elaborately structured packs. In the wild, the gray wolf can range from 60 to 175 pounds, standing between 25 and 40 inches in height.

A few centuries later, when the Normans from Gaul (France) conquered England in 1066 ad, they brought many of their dogs with them. The St. Hubert’s hound was among the conquerors’ dogs. There also existed at that time a few white hounds, called Talbot Hounds (or Southern Hounds), large dogs that were also known for their courage and endurance. Talbots were another strain of hound that allegedly accompanied William the Conqueror to English soil in 1066. William and later his son, Rufus, maintained an extensive breeding program, breeding hounds that were used primarily for hunting deer, the favored sport of wealthy noblemen. Some canine historians believe that Talbots were the result of cross-breedings between the St. Hubert’s hounds and other white hounds from France.

From a 1934 issue of Sport and General, two Bloodhounds, named Eldwick Meuver and Malvo, in pursuit tracing a scent.

ST. HUBERT

St. Hubert is a small town in Belgium in the Province of Luxembourg in the heart of the Ardennes mountain range. The Abbey church contains the shrine of St. Hubert. The church and monastery were founded in the 7th century by Plectrude, wife of Pippin of Herstal. The spot where St. Hubert is alleged to have encountered a stag with a crucifix between its antlers is about 5 miles from the town.

Never as popular as the black Branchen hound, the white Talbots were kept separate from the blacks, although it is known that in England some St. Hubert’s specimens were crossbred with the Talbot. Talbots continued in France throughout the 18th century while slowly dying out as a result of public rebellion against Charles IX, who had bestowed favored status on that breed.

The St. Hubert Hound was held in such high regard in Europe that the English and French royalty and clerics often filled their kennels with large numbers of the black and tans, often giving them as gifts to high-ranking nobility. One record states that the Earl of Essex maintained a kennel of 800 of these hounds.

The hounds’ impressive size and superb scenting ability pressed the breed into service in areas other than hunting for large game such as deer, elk and bear. Many were used as guard dogs to protect private and public property from criminals and violent crime. By the 16th century, Bloodhounds were used extensively to hunt man, particularly sheep thieves and poachers who stalked the Scottish borders. Their man-trailing ability was so valuable that the courts conferred legal status on the Bloodhound, allowing it to follow a trail anywhere, even directly into a private residence. Their testimony was so highly regarded that if a man refused a Bloodhound entrance to his home he was assumed to be guilty or associated with the crime.

A classic photograph by Fox depicting the high spirit and enthusiasm of the Bloodhound breed for the chase.

FRANÇOIS HUBERT

The St. Hubert Branchen hounds were named after the monk François Hubert, who was later elevated to bishop and canonized after his death. Born to the nobility, François was an ardent hunter who maintained a large group of hunting hounds. After François’s death, his breeding program was continued by the abbots who succeeded him.

As happened with other breeds of dog, civilization and cultural changes affected society’s need and uses for the Bloodhound, sending its popularity into a steep decline. The traditional large estates owned by the upper classes were broken up into smaller parcels of land and the surrounding forested areas became smaller, which caused a decrease in the deer and other large-game population. Accordingly, hunters and wealthy sportsmen shifted their interests from hunting deer to hunting smaller and more available game like the fox, producing a need for smaller, faster hound dogs. Bloodhounds were crossed with a variety of breeds, creating the Foxhound, Harrier, Beagle and other similar breeds that credit their keen noses to their Bloodhound ancestors.

Here is the Lucernese Hound, known in Switzerland as the Luzerner Laufhund. This breed bears a likeness to the American breed known as the Bluetick Coonhound, and is probably a progenitor of that hunting dog.

Breed population continued to decline through the mid-19th century. A few remaining Bloodhounds were still used in law enforcement, and a few others were kept in packs by gamekeepers. But the Bloodhound, along with several other breeds of dog, seemed almost destined for extinction. However, the introduction of the dog show in 1859 proved to be salvation of these beleaguered members of the canine community.

The scenthound breeds of Switzerland are close relations to the Bloodhound breed. This is the Bernese Hound, a tricolored hound known at home as the Berner Laufhund. The term “laufhund”means “walking dog.”

That first dog show was held in Newcastle, England, offering an entry of 60 dogs, Pointers and Setters only. The next show, held later that year in Birmingham, was also only for the sporting breeds. Finally, in 1860, the first all-breed show was held, also in Birmingham, and Bloodhounds were among the entries. The rise in the popularity of the dog show gave a logical boost to the popularity of many breeds, and the Bloodhound was no exception.

The Swiss Hound is known in its native land as the Schweizer Laufhund. As in all other Swiss scenthounds, there is a long and short-legged variety; the short-legged dogs are termed “niederlaufhund.”

The long-lost Talbot hounds are believed to be descendants of the French scenthounds, such as this modern-day French Tricolor Hound, known in France as the Chien Français Tricolore.

THE SWISS ST. HUBERT HOUND

Bearing the same name as the ancient St. Hubert’s hound, the St. Hubert Jura Laufhund is counted among the nine scenthound breeds of Switzerland, known as laufhunden (dogs that walk beside the hunter). The St. Hubert Jura Laufhund, although a fraction of the size of the Bloodhound, standing 18 to 23 inches and weighing up to 44 pounds, does share the black/tan coloration as well as key physical features (heavy ears, loose skin and a large head).

A secondary positive result was an improvement in breed temperament. Until that time, many specimens lacked an agreeable disposition, with some being either overly aggressive or excessively shy and nervous. Dog shows and the writing of formal breed standards impacted the breeders’ goals and resulted in more companionable animals who were better suited for the show ring.

During that first decade of dog shows, Bloodhound success on the bench was dominated by lines raised by two noteworthy gentlemen breeders, Baron Rothschild and Lord Haversham. The first Bloodhound bench champion of record, Druid, owned by Mr. T. A. Jennings, was from those fabled bloodlines. After achieving championship status, Druid, together with the Bloodhound called Welcome, was sold by Mr. Jennings to Prince Napoleon as breeding stock for the royal kennels.

Circa 1933, Mrs. Russell Cook with Nereholm Falstaff, believed to be the largest Bloodhound in England. This dog would compete with today’s dogs, were he still around to do so!

All other prize-winning Bloodhounds during the late 1860s were also products of the Rothschild-Haversham breeding programs. These included the famous Bloodhound Regent, who was owned by Mr. Holford, and two other hounds, who were both coincidentally named Rufus. One of these was owned by Mr. Edwin Brough, who authored, along with Dr. Sidney Turner, the first breed standard for the Bloodhound. Mr. Brough later wrote extensively on color in the Bloodhound, stating that although the most favored color seemed to be the black and tan, his personal preference was for the tawny mixed with black markings on the back.

In 1898 the Association of Bloodhound Breeders began to promote man-hunting trials as a sport. By this time, the only breed specimens available for competition were those who had been bred for dog shows and as companion animals. Yet those early trials showed that breeding for purposes other than hunting had not compromised the Bloodhound’s scenting ability, as their noses proved to be as keen as ever.

At a man-hunting trial the hounds were required to run a simple line about a mile long, running the course in pursuit of a scent that had aged for about 15 minutes. Man-trailing proved to be extremely popular with the Bloodhound set, and the sport remains popular even today, with the ultimate prize currently the Brough Cup, a trophy named after Mr. Edwin Brough, the co-author of the first standard. Today’s trail is much more difficult and is considered a prestigious event for Bloodhound aficionados.

THE BISHOP BRANCIE

The name Branchen has been traced back to Bishop Brancie, a prelate who lived in the seventh century. Brancie was a renowned hunter who used such dogs on his hunting forays. One might further speculate that the Branchen may have arrived at the French monastery at the direction of Bishop Brancie, although there is no documentation to that effect.

During the same year that man-trailing was re-introduced, Bloodhounds worked in another, more unusual, capacity, serving as ambulance dogs for the Russian Army Red Cross in the Russo-Japanese War. A decade later, during World War I, they again worked with ambulance teams in Belgium.

World War II was another major turning point in the progress and development of not only Bloodhounds but also other breeds of pure-bred dog that suffered serious setbacks during the years from 1939 to 1945. By 1944 the breed had reached a low point of only six registrations and faced near-extinction. Some breeders went to the Foxhound (who was created, after all, from Bloodhound crosses) to restore their lines. Only three English kennels, Brighton, Abingerwood and Barsheen, kept their stock free of such outcross breedings. The white markings that appear occasionally in today’s Bloodhound may be a throwback to the Foxhound as well as to the white Talbot Hound that prevailed until the mid-18th century.

HUNTER’S SAINT

St. Hubert is the patron saint of huntsmen. St. Hubert’s Day is still celebrated in France, Belgium and Ireland on November 3. The feast day includes a special blessing of the hounds.

Lt. Col. Richardson with two of his man-tracking Bloodhounds, circa 1930. Note that these working dogs are considerably slighter than our dogs today.

THE BLOODHOUND IN THE US

The Bloodhound first made its mark on the American dog world in 1888 at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club benched show held in New York City. Three Bloodhounds were exhibited, imported to the States by Mr. Brough. Mr. J. L. Winchell of Fairhaven, Vermont viewed the dogs at the show and was most impressed with their regal stature and noble bearing. He proposed a partnership with Mr. Brough and arranged for the import of a breeding pair named Belhus and Rosemary, who became the foundation of the first Bloodhound kennel in America.

Like many of the other scenthound breeds of today, the Foxhound owes its keen olfactory sense to its Bloodhound ancestors.

Several other prominent breeders took notice of Mr. Winchell’s move and imported Bloodhounds to add to their kennels and breeding stock. The breed was slow to grow, however, and by 1910 there were only about 200 breed members in the United States. At that time a hound imported from England cost upwards of $2,000—an enormous sum in those days—with some fanciers paying up to $5,000 for a status symbol Bloodhound. Over the years as the breed became more common, the price dropped to around $100 to $300, a more modest sum for a pure-bred dog.

THE GIFT OF HOUNDS

It has been written that every year for 700 years, the St. Hubert monastery sent three pairs of the black St. Hubert hounds to the reigning king of France. One of the kings, in turn, sent his own gifts of hounds to the first Queen Elizabeth.

ARE YOU READY FOR A BLOODHOUND?

Although the Bloodhound is a most remarkable animal, it is certainly not for everyone, especially the faint of heart. This is a very large dog that requires equally large amounts of space and food. The smaller of the sexes, females grow to be 80–100 pounds and stand 24–25 inches at the shoulder. The male is considerably larger and at full maturity can weigh 100–135 pounds and measure 25–29 inches at the shoulder.

Even the Bloodhound pup is not your typical puppy for very long. With a birth weight of 1–2 pounds, the pups grow rapidly, from 4–7 pounds a week, which is as much as many breeds grow in several weeks, and up to one-half to one inch in height per week. So while the Bloodhound puppy is a most irresistible creature, ungainly and incredibly appealing, he is not a “puppy” (in the normal sense of the word) for very long. He is best raised in a house with a large fenced area; apartments in the city are simply not suitable for a dog of such major proportions.

Bloodhounds have very expressive but solemn faces, characterized by heavy wrinkles and very pronounced flews and dewlaps (lips and throat). The eyes are not prominent; in fact, they may appear almost recessed or sunken, and the excessive wrinkling pulls at the lower eyelids, producing a sad and poignant look. Most are black and tan (the tan is sometimes called “liver”), tawny, or red and tan. The coat is thin, short and hard, typical of the hounds with St. Hubert ancestry. Their long ears hang low and are quite soft to the touch. The long pendulous ears are essential to the Bloodhound’s work, acting as scent gatherers while dragging on the ground during a trailing exercise.

If raised with children, Bloodhounds grow up to be dependable and trustworthy with them. Oftentimes, though, the dogs can be too exuberant for small children.

The Bloodhound has a very emotive face with heavy wrinkling that gives the breed a noble, profound expression.

Those famous and most generous flews add yet another dimension to the Bloodhound’s charm, as well as to his uniqueness. He can sling saliva across the room with one shake of his enormous head, which is something Bloodhounds do adeptly and frequently. Many owners, in fact, find it convenient to keep “slobber” towels in strategic locations throughout the house. Moreover, this tendency to lavish slobbery wet kisses on his human friends may not be what everyone might call desirable!

Yet, despite their slobbery habits, the Bloodhound is a very clean animal. He is fairly easy to house-train if the owner uses patience and intelligence during the toilet-training process. He requires little in the way of bathing, and a monthly bath will keep most Bloodhounds clean enough to live with. Like most other breeds of dog, the Bloodhound sheds his coat twice a year.

The Bloodhound’s temperament is, or should be, friendly, affectionate and protective. The agreeable factor, however, is somewhat compromised by his enormous size. The amiable Bloodhound who upends himself on both hind legs to lay his paws upon your shoulders to say “hello” can easily bowl over a child or a small or unprepared adult. Although he is generally very good with children if he is raised with them, his very size, exuberance and pushy nature make him an inappropriate companion for very young children. Despite his great love and devotion to the young members of his human family, he could unintentionally injure a small child during play or rowdy activity. Bloodhounds usually get on well with other dogs; thriving, in fact, if they are raised in an environment with other animals. Because they tend to be stubborn, or what some may define as “determined,” and are inclined to pout when corrected, obedience training can be a challenge.

Of course, this same determination is an asset in the breed’s best-known work of man-trailing. Bloodhounds are very aggressive when in pursuit or working on a trail, never giving up until they reach their quarry at the end of the trail.

Happy and easygoing, like most other hounds, Bloodhounds are expressive and affectionate with their masters.

In contrast to the many common misconceptions about the breed, a well-bred Bloodhound should not be aggressive toward people or other dogs. The ferocious bloodthirsty dogs that were portrayed in the famous American novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe, and in the subsequent movie of the same name, were actually mongrel-type cross-bred hounds with vicious temperaments that are not typical of the usually easygoing Bloodhound. To dispel yet another myth, those same mongrel hounds were the kind of dog used in the early 1800s to track runaway slaves on Southern plantations in the States, a task never performed by a pure-bred Bloodhound. Those events, coupled with other printed accounts and urban legends, unfortunately perpetuated the myth of the Bloodhound as a dangerous and savage beast of pursuit. That simply is not true of this gentle giant breed.

THE MAN-TRAILING BLOODHOUND