| A familiar looking wrinkly and long eared dog, the | | | | Bloodhounds are a good family dog and do well |
| Bloodhound breed is more than one thousand | | | | with children. In fact, many Bloodhounds will allow |
| years old. Originally bred in Belgium by the monks | | | | children to climb all over and will not react in any |
| of St. Hubert, the monks selectively bred | | | | way. However, exercise caution when |
| Bloodhounds with other hounds to perfect the | | | | Bloodhounds are around children. This large dog |
| scenting ability of this breed. Bloodhounds were | | | | may knock over smaller children accidentally. |
| brought into England and eventually America. | | | | Bloodhounds need firm and consistent training |
| Bloodhounds have the strongest scenting ability of | | | | since they can be strong-minded. This is especially |
| all hounds and are known for the ability to track | | | | true (and especially important) when out with a |
| scents over long distances that may be days old. | | | | Bloodhound, as they will take off after a scent |
| Today, Bloodhounds are bred for the specific | | | | that has caught their attention. Bloodhounds can |
| purpose of tracking human beings and are used | | | | live in any environment, provided they are |
| to track victims of disasters or used by the police | | | | exercised at least once a day. Bloodhounds can |
| to track down suspects. Part of the Bloodhound | | | | have medical problems including bloat, stomach |
| history includes being used in the United States to | | | | cramps, hip dysplasia and ear infections. A padded |
| track down runaway slaves. However, | | | | bed is recommended to avoid calluses on the |
| Bloodhounds are not hunters. They do not enjoy | | | | joints. Some tend to get entropion, where the |
| killing the prey, just capturing it. They will surround | | | | eyelids turn inward. |
| the prey and bay to let the master know its | | | | There is a website that has great information on |
| location. Male Bloodhounds will grow to between | | | | Bloodhounds and most other breeds of dogs. It |
| 25 and 27 inches and weigh 90 to 110 pounds. | | | | has details that pertain to a dog breeds health, |
| Female Bloodhounds will average 23 to 25 inches | | | | grooming, living conditions, best food choices and |
| in height and 80 to 100 in weight. This large breed | | | | more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, |
| of dog will live about 10 to 12 years. | | | | and can be found at this url: |
| Bloodhounds have shorthaired coats that are easy | | | | By Robert W. Benjamin |
| to care for and can be black and tan, liver and tan | | | | Copyright © 2007 |
| and red and tawny. However, even with regular | | | | You may publish this article in your ezine, |
| cleaning, Bloodhounds are sometimes described as | | | | newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is |
| having a strong 'dog' odor that will not go away. | | | | reprinted in its entirety and without modification |
| Bloodhounds tend to drool more than most dogs, | | | | except for formatting needs or grammar |
| and are also prone to howl and snore more as | | | | corrections. |
| well. Described as kind, patient and affectionate, | | | | |