Bloodhounds belong to a group of dogs known as Sagaces that hunt by scent. They were first used in Medieval Europe to hunt wild boar, deer, and other game.
The Bloodhound is thought to have originated in France during the first century AD, although the earliest recorded mention of the breed was in a poem by Sir Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford. The poem depicts a dog meticulously tracking a pair of people who were disguised as bears.
The original name for Bloodhounds was St. Hubert hounds, named after Francois Hubert, who dedicated his life to breeding dogs that could track a cold trail. Even after retirement to a French monastery, Hubert continued to develop the breed. He was later canonized as the patron saint of hunters in France, thus giving rise to the name St. Hubert hounds.
The St. Hubert Hound was a preferred choice among the noble class, including William the Conqueror, who introduced them to England during his invasion in 1066, and Elizabeth I, who enjoyed hunting and kept packs of these dogs. Although the population of St. Hubert Hounds declined in France during the French Revolution, they continued to be popular in England.
Originally bred in England, the modern Bloodhound breed made its way to colonial America. However, during the Civil War, their reputation was negatively impacted due to their portrayal in the book Uncle Tom’s Cabin as ferocious creatures. Nonetheless, in 1888, the breed experienced a revival when English Bloodhounds participated in the Westminster Kennel Club exhibition. As a result of the show, numerous Americans acquired Bloodhounds, contributing to the breed’s proliferation in North America.
Currently, the American Kennel Club ranks Bloodhounds as the 45th breed. Besides their role as household pets, they are frequently utilized by law enforcement establishments as scent hounds to detect missing individuals and suspects.
Bloodhound Care
The Bloodhound is adored by hound enthusiasts for its amiable disposition and delightful, amusing demeanor. Nevertheless, these dogs with their demanding upkeep do not reach their full potential without the devoted attention of their owners. If considering adopting a Bloodhound, it is ideal to investigate and equip oneself with the necessary knowledge for their care.
Exercise
Owners of bloodhounds need to engage them in at least two hours of rigorous exercise daily, making running and hiking excellent options for shared activities. Though capable of walking and jogging for miles, bloodhounds are equally satisfied with playing in the backyard.
Due to their natural inclination to track scents, it is crucial to keep these dogs on a leash or in a fenced area to prevent them from wandering off during walks or play. Additionally, because this breed is renowned for their exceptional sense of smell, Bloodhounds make excellent partners for scent-based games such as hide-and-seek for treats or finding family members. This is a particularly enjoyable activity for owners to do with their Bloodhounds.
Grooming
Bloodhounds need regular grooming and cleaning due to the extensive wrinkles on their faces, necks, and ears. It’s essential to clean these wrinkles daily to avoid the risk of bacterial infections. To prevent such infections, owners can use a damp washcloth to wipe the wrinkles and then dry them thoroughly. Also, after every meal, it’s crucial to clean the folds around their mouth.
Bloodhounds possess short and thick fur that needs to be combed once in a week with either a rubber mitt or a brush. During shedding seasons, they might need added grooming. It’s important that owners are gentle and cautious when taking care of their Bloodhound’s thin and delicate skin. Apart from this, Bloodhounds also require periodic teeth brushing and nail trimming like any other breed.
It’s essential to clean the Bloodhound’s ears every week because their floppy ears tend to trap dirt, bacteria, and debris. Consult your vet to get an ear-cleaning solution that you can apply to the ear canal once a week and massage gently. Use a soft cotton pad or cloth to remove any dirt, debris, or wax, but never use cotton swabs that might harm the delicate structures inside the ear.
Proper grooming and cleaning of the ears are vital for maintaining the Bloodhound’s health. If your household is unable to commit to the required care routines for the skin and ears of this breed, it may be worthwhile to explore alternative breeds.
Training
Training bloodhounds may be challenging due to their stubbornness. It is advisable to enroll them in obedience classes at eight weeks old. To effectively train your dog, be consistent and patient, and reward them with toys and treats. Avoid punishing them, as this can negatively affect their sensitive temperament and cause them to fear or feel anxious about interacting with you.
It is crucial for potential owners to be aware that Bloodhounds, regardless of age, have a tendency to chew, thus establishing designated chew items during their puppy phase is important. Additionally, this breed tends to be vocal, loudly bay instead of bark. Consequently, it is advisable for those considering this breed to have ample outdoor space and avoid close proximity with neighbors.
Common Health Problems
While Bloodhounds are typically in good health, they, like many other purebred dogs, could be vulnerable to specific health issues that are passed down genetically. Responsible breeders ensure they maintain stringent standards by conducting medical examinations on potential parents prior to breeding.
Bloodhounds are susceptible to certain conditions, which are frequently observed.
- Ear infections : The Bloodhound’s long, droopy ears often catch dirt, debris, and bacteria. Examining and cleaning your dogs’ ears frequently can help prevent infections.
- Dermatitis : Like their ears, this breed’s facial wrinkles can trap dirt, bacteria, and even food, which can lead to fold dermatitis. Signs of this condition include redness, irritation, sores, and odors, and it most commonly occurs around the tail, face, and lips.
- Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV or Bloat) : Common in large breeds, Bloat consists of a buildup of gases in the stomach that cause it to twist. Your veterinarian may recommend preventative surgery to tack the stomach down. Early signs include distended abdomen, retching without producing vomit, or excessive drooling.
BONUS: How to Choose the Best Dog Food
Ideally, all dog food would be of equal quality. However, dog owners are faced with a multitude of options, each one claiming to be the top dog food on the market. It can be a frustrating experience to sift through these options to find a healthy, affordable, and appetizing dog food brand for your furry friend. To assist you in narrowing down your choices, we have gathered expert guidance.
What Makes a Dog Food “Good”?
Dry kibble or canned wet food are the top choices of dog food for many owners. Although unappetizing for us, these processed foods are enriched with essential nutrients to ensure our dogs’ well-being. To guarantee quality, veterinary specialists stringently regulate and test commercial dog food. With that said, what precisely are the contents of these dog foods?
Cats are strict carnivores, but dogs have a more diverse diet. Although meat is the main component of their diet, dogs can also get nutrients from grains, fruits, and vegetables. These plant-based foods are not just added for volume, and they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. A good dog food will include a mixture of meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables. The most suitable dog food will feature high-quality versions of these ingredients that your dog can digest.
Dog Food Nutrition
It’s crucial to ensure that the dog food you choose fulfills your furry friend’s nutritional requirements. Even though the majority of commercial dog food brands contain the essential nutrients for canines, it’s important to keep in mind that each dog has unique nutritional needs.
Throughout their lifespan, dogs need a varied array of nutrients in varying amounts. The dietary needs of a puppy differ from those of an adult dog, making it beneficial to give a growing dog “all life stages” food or a puppy formula. If you are unsure about what nutritional requirements differ between puppies and adult dogs, the Merck Veterinary Manual delineates the necessary nutrients along with the advised quantity depending on the dog’s age and weight. Nutritional prerequisites vary between large breed dogs and puppies compared to those of small breed dogs and puppies.
Dog Food Myths and Misinformation
The Internet is filled with false beliefs and inaccurate data regarding canine nutrition, commonly known as dog food myths. To navigate through this overwhelming amount of information, there’s one straightforward guideline to follow – evaluate your sources. Numerous people make unconditional statements regarding dog nutrition without having credible scientific evidence to support their claims. Therefore, when conducting research, it’s important to verify if the information presented is substantiated by reliable sources, such as a veterinarian, a specialist in canine nutrition, or a scientific study. Additionally, it’s wise to approach any information with a hint of doubt since if it seems too idealistic, it’s likely to be untrue.
There are many inquiries surrounding dog food such as grain inclusion or exclusion, the absence of peas, and the existence of animal byproducts. In case your dog has a grain-induced food allergy, your veterinarian can assist you in choosing an appropriate grain-free diet. In actuality, most dogs benefit from grains since they offer wholesome nutrients. Animal byproducts are also nourishing and may include organ meats and entrails that have more nutritional value compared to muscle meat that humans consume. Legitimate byproducts do not comprise hooves, hair, intestinal contents, floor sweepings, or manure. You can always voice your concerns or queries regarding your dog’s food with your veterinarian.
How to Read a Dog Food Label
Reading the label is a method for distinguishing between good and bad dog food. However, it is not always easy to do so due to the small print and the awkwardness of handling large bags of dog food in the store. Furthermore, dog food labels can be misleading, as detailed by the Merck Veterinary Manual. The FDA mandates that dog food labels disclose eight essential pieces of information, and additional labeling requirements may exist in certain states.
- Product name
- Net weight of the product
- Name and address of the manufacturer
- Guaranteed analysis
- List of ingredients
- Intended animal species (i.e. dog or cat)
- Statement of nutritional adequacy
- Feeding guidelines
Product Name
The name of the product gives significant information about its contents whether it’s in a can or a bag. When the term “beef” is used, it indicates that beef must constitute at least 70 percent of the entire product. In contrast, for “beef dinner,” “beef entrée,” or “beef platter,” only 10 percent of the product must be beef. “With beef” requires just 3 percent of the total product to be beef, and if the product is labeled “beef flavor,” it means that there is enough beef in the product to flavor it (less than 3 percent). Similar rules apply for other named ingredients such as “chicken.”
Ingredients
The quality and source of ingredients in dog food cannot be determined from the ingredient list and some manufacturers split up ingredients to even out their distribution. For instance, corn varieties like flaked corn, ground corn or kibbled corn can be listed individually, which lowers corn’s position on the ingredient list despite high corn content. Meat is also a tricky ingredient as whole meats have a significant water weight, thus the percentage of meat after processing is not as high as it seems. Conversely, meat meal sounds less palatable but actually contains more meat than “whole meats” due to the absence of water weight.
Although the quality of ingredients cannot be determined from the ingredient list, it does provide information about the contents of the food. This is of particular significance for dogs with dietary restrictions or allergies, as well as for pet owners who prefer to feed their dogs specific types of fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.
Choosing the Best Dog Food
The best dog food for your dog is ultimately up to you to decide. As an owner, you are the one who sees your dog on a regular basis. If your dog produces firm, healthy stool, is active and fit, and has a healthy appetite, then your dog food is probably working just fine.
During this process, your veterinarian can be a valuable asset as they possess greater knowledge about pet nutrition compared to an average pet owner and have access to various research and resources. Your vet will assist you in narrowing down your options and readily provide solutions to your inquiries regarding your dog’s food.
