The Bloodhound breed has a history that goes back more than a thousand years.  Terms used to describe them are noble, gentle, patient and lovable.  Around kids they are remarkably gentle and display great levels of tolerance and patience even when the child climbs over them and generally makes a nuisance of themselves.  Even so it is necessary to remember that these are not small dogs that are incapable of displaying aggression, especially toward other dogs of the same sex.  This breed is known for their love of long hikes as they chase after a scent and they have been known to chase a scent for miles and miles until they reach the end of the trail.  In fact, once a Bloodhound has honed in on a particular scent they seem to lose their capacity for hearing so a leash is essential, so is a yard that is fenced in.

These days Bloodhounds do not get used for hunting but they are used to track and save missing people.  They are also used in the apprehending of criminals since their ability to track the human scent is unequaled.  From a very young age, as little as four days in fact, the Bloodhound is capable of locking onto a scent.  Unlike other breeds that track the scent through the air, the Bloodhound can track a person’s scent on surfaces like asphalt.  You might not know this but because the Bloodhound is so good at tracking a scent they are even considered reliable in a court of law.  There is one particular Bloodhound that is said to have tracked over six hundred criminals, all of which resulted in the arrest and conviction of the person concerned.

With their drooping eyelids, big droopy ears and large, powerful bodies, the Bloodhound looks very appealing.  This is a large and active breed of dog that will require a lot of space and exercise.  But exercise is only part of what this breed requires.  Along with that the dog will need mental stimulation as well.  Many an owner has discovered what a difficult time can arise when the dog is bored.  They will chew things, howl and be generally destructive if not given any kind of mental and physical stimulation.  Bloodhounds love to cavort and play and even when puppies care needs to be taken if there are any children or elderly and infirm people around because they can get rather rambunctious at times.

This is an intelligent and independent breed of dog and the owner needs to be both patient and firm while they are training their dog.  Unfortunately they can take longer than most other breeds to mature and so the new owner is likely going to have their hands full when it comes to training their dog for a few years.  Because of their propensity to dash off on a scent trail they can be difficult to train and need to understand that you are the boss.  Many owners find themselves with a problem because these dogs are also known for being rather manipulative and stubborn when they want to be.  Nevertheless for fans of the breed this is just another endearing quality.