Where the Bloodhound came from
The Bloodhound is an old breed tied by legend to the abbey of St. Hubert in Belgium, where monks are said to have bred hounds around the year 1000. The breed's likely roots are in France. It is often said that Normans brought the dogs to England, but there is no firm proof.
The dogs were used to follow deer and wild boar and later to track people. Where the name came from is argued: the popular idea is pure blood, but an older view says blood seeking hound.
The AKC recognized the breed in 1885. Today Bloodhounds work with police and search teams, and live as family dogs.
- Middle Ages Monks at St. Hubert are said in legend to breed trailing hounds
- 1200s St. Hubert's monks send pairs of black hounds to the French king each year, per one account
- 1885 AKC recognizes the Bloodhound
- Today Bloodhounds work with police and search teams
The job a Bloodhound was bred for
The dogs followed a scent trail for many miles, nose to the ground, with long ears and loose skin helping hold scent. At home that means a nose that will not quit and a habit of following smells.
Sports that fit a Bloodhound
- Scent work. Their top skill
- Tracking. Natural trackers
- Trailing. Search work with the nose
- Therapy work. Gentle nature
Training tips for a Bloodhound
- Use food and let them sniff, since the nose rules.
- Train recall with a long line, never off leash.
- Be patient, as they are slow and independent.
- Make scent games the daily job.
Body and health
Large, deep chested dogs with a bloat risk. Loose skin means eye and ear care, and they overheat easily. Avoid hard jumping.
Fun fact. A Bloodhound named Nick Carter is credited with more than 650 finds of lost people and criminals.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Bloodhound is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.