Bloodhound

Breed overview

The bloodhound is a large scent hound, originally bred for hunting deer, wild boar, rabbits, and since the Middle Ages, for tracking people. Believed to be descended from hounds once kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, Belgium, in French it is called le chien de Saint-Hubert. This breed is known for its ability to discern human scent over large distances and extended periods of time through its keen sense of smell and strong tracking instincts. Bloodhounds are used by police and law enforcement around the world to track fugitives, missing people, and lost pets.

• Breed classification: houndBreed reference breed group.
• Breed classification: hunting dogBreed reference breed group.
• Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
• Country of origin: BelgiumBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

• Throughout most of its history the Bloodhound was seen as a dog of English or Anglo-Scottish origin, either of unknown ancestry, or, more recently, as developed in part from the St.
• Medieval hunting pictures show raches and limers, of the general sagax type, with hanging ears and lips, but not having the specific characteristics of the Bloodhound. 16th century descriptions of the St.
• Hubert as short-legged, and only medium-sized have led to speculation that the main European antecedent of the Bloodhound was rather the Norman hound, which was much larger than the St.
• Others, such as the sleuth hound, the Talbot Hound, the dun hound and the Southern Hound, as well as pack hounds, have also been supposed to have contributed to its make-up.
• Some writers doubt whether anything certain can be said about specific breed ancestry beyond the last few centuries.

Size and appearance

Bloodhounds weigh from 36 to 72 kg (80 to 160 lbs). They are 58 to 70 cm (23 to 27 inches) tall at the withers. According to the AKC standard for the breed, larger dogs are preferred by conformation judges. Acceptable colors for bloodhounds are black, liver, and red. Bloodhounds possess an unusually large skeletal structure with most of their weight concentrated in their bones, which are very thick for their length. The coat, typical for a scent hound, is hard and composed of fur alone, with no admixture of hair.

• Body mass reference: 40 - 48 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 40 - 48 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: Up to 48 kgBreed reference body mass. female, maximum.
• Body mass reference: 40 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. female, minimum.
• Body mass reference: 46 - 54 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 46 - 54 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Body mass reference: Up to 54 kgBreed reference body mass. male, maximum.
• Body mass reference: 46 kg or moreBreed reference body mass. male, minimum.
• Height reference: 58 - 66 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 58 - 66 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 62 cmBreed reference height. female.
• Height reference: 64 - 72 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 64 - 72 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
• Height reference: 68 cmBreed reference height. male.

• Coat length: short
• Height category: very_tall
• Height category: tall
• Weight category: large
• Weight category: giant

Personality and behavior

This breed is reported to be gentle and is tireless when following a scent. Because of its strong tracking instinct, it can be willful and somewhat difficult to obedience train and handle on a leash. Bloodhounds are known to have an affectionate and even-tempered nature to humans, and are considered to be excellent family pets.

• Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.56 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 1.81 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.65 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.49 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.70 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.70 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.76 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.89 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.52 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.58 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.43 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.70 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 0.79 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.
• Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.03 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Bloodhound.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

It is generally agreed that the basis of initial training is to make the experience enjoyable for the puppy or young hound to keep their enthusiasm high. Whitney preferred waiting until the hound is 18 months old, to start training, but others start as young as possible; say, three months. Training can be started by running short trails on a family member whom the puppy sees walk away, at first remaining visible, and later going out of sight.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

• Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 9.3 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 for crossbreeds.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

Compare breeds

Compare supported adult height and weight ranges, matching research measures and sourced coat and care categories.

Breed history

Throughout most of its history the Bloodhound was seen as a dog of English or Anglo-Scottish origin, either of unknown ancestry, or, more recently, as developed in part from the St. Hubert. It was only in the 19th century that it was claimed, primarily by Le Couteulx, to be the St. Hubert itself. Medieval hunting pictures show raches and limers, of the general sagax type, with hanging ears and lips, but not having the specific characteristics of the Bloodhound. 16th century descriptions of the St. Hubert as short-legged, and only medium-sized have led to speculation that the main European antecedent of the Bloodhound was rather the Norman hound, which was much larger than the St. Hubert.

Clubs and further reading

• American Bloodhound Club
• Bloodhound - article and references

Sources

1. Bloodhound - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Bloodhound, revision 1376224907. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bloodhound&action=history
2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
4. File:Bloodhound Erland22.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Bloodhound Erland22.jpg - User:Erland22. CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bloodhound_Erland22.jpg. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.
5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.