Austin Vet Clinic

The Bloodhound

Noble and determined, the Bloodhound has earned its place in popular culture to its spectacular ability to trace scents. Prized for its ability to track scents across tens of miles and several days, the Bloodhound is particularly adept at tracking escaped convicts and other missing persons. Despite this trait, they are gentle and loving, making them as adept as family pets as they are as working dogs.

Behavior

A large dog standing about two feet at the withers and weighing around 100 pounds, with familiar baggy skin and short fur, the Bloodhound is remarkable for its unique appearance and dignified air. Though the stubbornness that marks their tracking abilities can make them difficult to obedience train, they are intelligent and can problem solve.

Despite their strange and daunting appearance and single-mindedness, Bloodhounds are loving, gentle, and temperate in nature. They enjoy spending time with people and can be very affectionate. However, their stubbornness and apparent self-interest can be a bit of a hurdle for some owners to overcome.

Health

Like many large dogs, Bloodhound are prone to gastrointestinal ailments, especially bloat, which is the twisting of the stomach. Other common illnesses affect the eyes, skin, and ear, with overheating being not uncommon in warmer climates. Bloodhounds often have a shorter life expectancy than most dogs, often related to bloat. However, if properly cared for and looked after, a Bloodhound can be expected to live 8-10 years.

Contact Us

For more information about veterinary care, and other questions about health care, contact your Austin Vet Clinic.