Bloodhound
About the Bloodhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-27" |
| Weight | 80-110 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,600/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Bloodhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Bloodhound
The story behind the Bloodhound
Scenthounds of this type were developed in medieval Europe, with monastic kennels in Belgium, particularly those associated with the Saint-Hubert abbey in the Ardennes, credited with maintaining and distributing the foundation stock, which is why much of Europe calls the breed the Chien de Saint-Hubert. Nobles used these hounds to trail deer and boar, and their exceptional cold-scenting ability soon extended to tracking people. English breeders refined the type from the medieval period onward and gave it the name Bloodhound, reflecting the careful attention paid to its breeding rather than anything about its quarry. Numbers fell during the world wars and recovered afterwards. Today the Bloodhound is uncommon as a pet, valued mainly by law enforcement and search and rescue teams for mantrailing.
Originally bred for: Tracking, Trailing, Hunting. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Bloodhound
A large deep-chested hound needs measured feeding of a quality diet, with large-breed puppy food through a long slow growth period. Divided meals, calm eating and rest either side of feeding are commonly advised for this build, and lean condition protects heavily loaded joints.
Watch for: Deep chest, heavy ears and facial folds together make this a breed where careful mealtime routines and regular skin and ear cleaning matter more than ingredient hunting. No breed-wide intolerance pattern is documented. Discuss any digestive worry or diet change with a veterinarian promptly.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Bloodhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.