Bloodhound Breed Information

It takes years to understand the bloodhound standard. Until you see a dog that is almost the exact written standard it is hard to understand the written discriptions.....for anyone interested in learning I always recommend the American bloodhound club illustrated standard that will show you faults and show you ideal characteristics....it also helps to attend some dog shows especially National specialties where more than likely there could be over 35 bloodhounds entered!

Bloodhound History

The Bloodhound is one of the oldest breeds of dog, first referred to in literature in the mid 14th Century, and probably in existence and use for many years before that.  How long it had existed, and its ultimate origins, are quite uncertain.

It is often claimed that its ancestors were brought over from Normandy by William the Conqueror, but there is no evidence for this.  That the Normans brought some hounds from France during the post-Conquest period is almost certain, but what they were, and how they mingled with stock already here is not known.

The typical use of the Bloodhound, in hunting deer and boar, was as a ‘limer’, or ‘lyam-hound’.  That is, it was handled on a leash or ‘lyam’, and hunted the cold scent of the animal.  When it had ‘harboured’ the hart or boar (that is discovered where it was browsing or resting) the handler reported back to his lord, who then brought the pack hounds (‘raches’) to pursue the quarry on its hot scent, when it was ‘unharboured’, or ‘upreared’.  So the bloodhound was much valued for its ability to hunt the cold scent of an individual animal, and, though it did not usually take part in the kill, it was given a special reward from the carcase.

It also seems that from the earliest times the Bloodhound was used to track people.  There are stories written in the Medieval period of Robert the Bruce (in 1307), and William Wallace (1270-1305) being followed by ‘Sleuth-hounds’.  Whether true or not, these stories show that the Sleuth-hound was already known as an animal which could follow a human scent almost infallibly, and it later becomes clear that the (Scottish) Sleuth-hound and the Bloodhound were the same animal.  Around the 16th century the Bloodhound, Sleuth-hound, or ‘Slough-dog’ was much used on the Scottish borders to track cross-border raiders.  In the 17th century there is a fascinating account of a test of the Bloodhound's man-tracking prowess, written by the great scientist Robert Boyle (1627-91). 

With the rise of fox-hunting, the decline of deer-hunting, and the extinction of the wild boar, as well as a more settled state of society, the use of the Bloodhound diminished.  It was kept on a few deer-parks and by a few enthusiasts, with some variation in type, until its popularity began to increase again with the rise of dog-showing in the 19th Century.  Numbers, however, have remained low in Britain.  Very few survived the second world war, but the gene-pool has gradually been replenished with imports from America.

During the later 19th century numbers of Bloodhounds were exported to the Continent to French enthusiasts, who regretted the extinction of an ancient French breed, the St Hubert, which had died out towards the end of the 18th Century, and was rather similar in appearance to the Bloodhound.  They wished to re-establish it, using the Bloodhound.  As an unfortunate result, the Bloodhound became known on parts of the Continent as the Chien de Saint Hubert, and is recognised under that name by the FCI.

Also, in the later 19th century, the idea was put forward that the name ‘Bloodhound’ originally meant ‘hound of pure blood’, not ‘blood-seeking hound’.  Though this idea was only a guess, totally unsupported by evidence (and in fact all the available evidence points the other way!) it has somehow gained credence, and is often given as the correct derivation in literature about the Bloodhound.

When the first Bloodhounds were exported to the USA is not known.  Bloodhounds were used to track runaway slaves before the Civil War, but it has been questioned whether the dogs used were genuine Bloodhounds.  However, in the later part of the century, and in the next, more pure Bloodhounds were introduced and bred in America, and they were much more widely used in tracking lost people and criminals — often with brilliant success — than in Britain.  However, in Britain there have been instances from time to time of the successful use of the Bloodhound as a tracking animal, and currently, for the first time for many years, the Police are showing a real interest in making use of the breed.

The first Bloodhound breed society, the Association of Bloodhound Breeders, was established in 1897, followed at the beginning of the next century by the Bloodhound Hunt Club, which developed into the Bloodhound Club.  These societies both organise Bloodhound trials, under Kennel Club rules, in which the hound hunts ‘the clean boot’, that is the human scent, ‘clean’ of any artificial aids (like aniseed, or animal blood smeared on the boot).  This used to be known as 'hunting dry-foot' in the old days.  This is a sport, requiring a great deal of land and organisation, for the pleasure of a small number of dedicated Bloodhound owners.

Meanwhile the Bloodhound has become a truly international breed, though numbers are small in most countries except the USA.  There and here the Bloodhound has always had an amount of exposure in the media, because of its distinctive appearance, out of proportion to its numbers, and there is currently some concern over there that the breed may become too popular.  Page from UK Bloodhound Club

The Bloodhound is one of the oldest British breeds of dog, first referred to in literature in the mid 14th Century, and probably in existence and use for many years before that.  How long it had existed, and its ultimate origins, are quite uncertain.

It is often claimed that its ancestors were brought over from Normandy by William the Conqueror, but there is no evidence for this.  That the Normans brought some hounds from France during the post-Conquest period is almost certain, but what they were, and how they mingled with stock already here is not known.

The typical use of the Bloodhound, in hunting deer and boar, was as a ‘limer’, or ‘lyam-hound’.  That is, it was handled on a leash or ‘lyam’, and hunted the cold scent of the animal.  When it had ‘harboured’ the hart or boar (that is discovered where it was browsing or resting) the handler reported back to his lord, who then brought the pack hounds (‘raches’) to pursue the quarry on its hot scent, when it was ‘unharboured’, or ‘upreared’.  So the bloodhound was much valued for its ability to hunt the cold scent of an individual animal, and, though it did not usually take part in the kill, it was given a special reward from the carcase.

It also seems that from the earliest times the Bloodhound was used to track people.  There are stories written in the Medieval period of Robert the Bruce (in 1307), and William Wallace (1270-1305) being followed by ‘Sleuth-hounds’.  Whether true or not, these stories show that the Sleuth-hound was already known as an animal which could follow a human scent almost infallibly, and it later becomes clear that the (Scottish) Sleuth-hound and the Bloodhound were the same animal.  Around the 16th century the Bloodhound, Sleuth-hound, or ‘Slough-dog’ was much used on the Scottish borders to track cross-border raiders.  In the 17th century there is a fascinating account of a test of the Bloodhound's man-tracking prowess, written by the great scientist Robert Boyle (1627-91). 

With the rise of fox-hunting, the decline of deer-hunting, and the extinction of the wild boar, as well as a more settled state of society, the use of the Bloodhound diminished.  It was kept on a few deer-parks and by a few enthusiasts, with some variation in type, until its popularity began to increase again with the rise of dog-showing in the 19th Century.  Numbers, however, have remained low in Britain.  Very few survived the second world war, but the gene-pool has gradually been replenished with imports from America.

During the later 19th century numbers of Bloodhounds were exported to the Continent to French enthusiasts, who regretted the extinction of an ancient French breed, the St Hubert, which had died out towards the end of the 18th Century, and was rather similar in appearance to the Bloodhound.  They wished to re-establish it, using the Bloodhound.  As an unfortunate result, the Bloodhound became known on parts of the Continent as the Chien de Saint Hubert, and is recognised under that name by the FCI.

Also, in the later 19th century, the idea was put forward that the name ‘Bloodhound’ originally meant ‘hound of pure blood’, not ‘blood-seeking hound’.  Though this idea was only a guess, totally unsupported by evidence (and in fact all the available evidence points the other way!) it has somehow gained credence, and is often given as the correct derivation in literature about the Bloodhound.

When the first Bloodhounds were exported to the USA is not known.  Bloodhounds were used to track runaway slaves before the Civil War, but it has been questioned whether the dogs used were genuine Bloodhounds.  However, in the later part of the century, and in the next, more pure Bloodhounds were introduced and bred in America, and they were much more widely used in tracking lost people and criminals — often with brilliant success — than in Britain.  However, in Britain there have been instances from time to time of the successful use of the Bloodhound as a tracking animal, and currently, for the first time for many years, the Police are showing a real interest in making use of the breed.

The first Bloodhound breed society, the Association of Bloodhound Breeders, was established in 1897, followed at the beginning of the next century by the Bloodhound Hunt Club, which developed into the Bloodhound Club.  These societies both organise Bloodhound trials, under Kennel Club rules, in which the hound hunts ‘the clean boot’, that is the human scent, ‘clean’ of any artificial aids (like aniseed, or animal blood smeared on the boot).  This used to be known as 'hunting dry-foot' in the old days.  This is a sport, requiring a great deal of land and organisation, for the pleasure of a small number of dedicated Bloodhound owners.

Meanwhile the Bloodhound has become a truly international breed, though numbers are small in most countries except the USA.  There and here the Bloodhound has always had an amount of exposure in the media, because of its distinctive appearance, out of proportion to its numbers, and there is currently some concern over there that the breed may become too popular.  Page from UK Bloodhound Club

The Bloodhound Standard 

Skeleton structure  

  Bloodhound Breed type

the wirtten breed standard -I have added pictures of those dogs I feel posses the qualities described
General Character

  The mean average weight of adult dogs, in fair condition, is 90 pounds, and of adult bitches 80 pounds. Dogs attain the weight of 110 pounds, bitches 100 pounds. The greater weights are to be preferred, provided (as in the case of height) that quality and proportion are also combined.


Expression
The expression is noble and dignified, and characterized by solemnity, wisdom, and power.

Temperament
In temperament he is extremely affectionate, neither quarrelsome with companions nor with other dogs. His nature is somewhat shy, and equally sensitive to kindness or correction by his master.

Head                                                                                               

The head is narrow in proportion to its length, and long in proportion to the body, tapering but slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle, thus (when viewed from above and in front) having the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its entire length. In profile the upper outline of the skull is nearly in the same plane as that of the foreface. The length from end of nose to stop (midway between the eyes) should be not less than that from stop to back of occipital protuberance (peak). The entire length of head from the posterior part of the occipital protuberance to the end of the muzzle should be 12 inches, or more, in dogs, and 11 inches, or more, in bitches. Skull-- The skull is long and narrow, with the occipital peak very pronounced. The brows are not prominent, although, owing to the deep-set eyes, they may have that appearance. Foreface--The foreface is long, deep, and of even width throughout, with square outline when seen in profile.

Eyes--The eyes are deeply sunk in the orbits, the lids assuming a lozenge or diamond shape, in consequence of the lower lids being dragged down and everted by the heavy flews. The eyes correspond with the general tone of color of the animal, varying from deep hazel to yellow. The hazel color is, however, to be preferred, although very seldom seen in liver-and-tan hounds. Ears--The ears are thin and soft to the touch, extremely long, set very low, and fall in graceful folds, the lower parts curling inward and backward. Mouth--A scissors bite is preferred, level bite accepted.
  
Wrinkle
The head is furnished with an amount of loose skin, which in nearly every position appears superabundant, but more particularly so when the head is carried low; the skin then falls into loose, pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the forehead and sides of the face. Nostrils--The nostrils are large and open. Lips, Flews, and Dewlap--In front the lips fall squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface; whilst behind they form deep, hanging flews, and, being continued into the pendant folds of loose skin about the neck, constitute the dewlap, which is very pronounced. These characteristics are found, though in a lesser degree, in the bitch.

 

Neck, Shoulders and Chest
The neck is long, the shoulders muscular and well sloped backwards; the ribs are well sprung; and the chest well let down between the forelegs, forming a deep keel.
Legs and Feet
The forelegs are straight and large in bone, with elbows squarely set; the feet strong and well knuckled up; the thighs and second thighs (gaskins) are very muscular; the hocks well bent and let down and squarely set.
Back and Loin
The back and loins are strong, the latter deep and slightly arched. Stern--The stern is long and tapering, and set on rather high, with a moderate amount of hair underneath.

Gait
The gait is elastic, swinging and free, the stern being carried high, but not too much curled over the back.
Color
The colors are black and tan, liver and tan, and red; the darker colors being sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-colored hair, and sometimes flecked with white. A small amount of white is permissible on chest, feet, and tip of stern.

Approved: January 9, 1996
Effective: February 29, 1996

While the standard calls for the average and ideal height of an adult male Bloodhound to be between 25" to 27", you will see them as large as 30" or more at the shoulders. The bitches average a bit smaller (23" to 25"), but you will still see a few reach the height of 28" or more. They can weigh up to 120 or more. While you will also find them smaller than the standard, these are not small dogs by any means. This pretty much puts their tails at coffee table height. They do not reach their full weight and body type until 2-3 years of age and their brains seem to follow that trend.


 Bloodhound Colours
The Bloodhound comes in 3 colors: Black and Tan, Liver and Tan (Red and Tan) and Red (Tawny). A small amount of white is allowed on the chest, feet and the tip of the tail. While there are variations of these colors, they still fall into one of these color patterns. A predominantly black where the black "saddle" covers most of the body except for some red on the legs and face is often referred to as a "black" but is still considered a Black and Tan. This can go the other way also, where the saddle on the black and tan or liver and tan can be badgered or even just a few dark hairs. The variation in the "red" color can be anywhere from a light tan to a deep red. Below are examples of the three colors

                                                The Reds
 
Liver nosed red (sherick's Stacey)         Black muzzled red  Cardinal truffe medieval                               
                                             Liver and Tan
     
   
Full Coat LT (Twin Oaks Lucious Lola)     Liver & Tan Charlotte Truffe Medieval

Black and Tan

   
         
      B-1 Odin            B2  CH Murphy's fred     B3 Mason's perfect storm    B-4(full coat) Shadow fromTwin Oaks

For saddle patterns breeders use the terms B1 -B4 to grade the amount of saddle, this grading system is used on both liver and tan and black and tans dogs. Not L1-L4 All of these saddle patterns are equally exeptable although a B4 or full coat is a recessive gene and is usually rare to see. Although some colors can be rare there should not be a difference in price for liver and tan vs Black and tan, this is usually a ploy from backyard breeders. when you see kennels that have majority full coat livers or full coat black understand that these are recessives......many backyard breeders have some of the most beautiful colored hounds.....but this may be the only aspect they are breeding for......there is no preferrance given in the ring for amount of saddle.