Have you ever gone hunting but wished for a companion? How about having a partner like a pet who enjoys spending time with you and works as a helping hand? Well, you will not find a more pleasing choice than the Bloodhounds! This breed is known for its sense of smell and being a loving and loyal friend.
Bloodhounds are the main characters of detective stories. Besides detecting abilities, they are also perfect family pets and caretakers. However, they are hard to train due to their strong instincts. Owning Bloodhounds has pros and cons, which potential owners should know.
Here, you will find a detailed guide to everything you need to know about Bloodhounds. Read up on the Bloodhound pros and cons and decide if the hound is the right pet for you.
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Pros And Cons Of Owning A Bloodhound
Just like people thought of German Shepherds as police dogs, similarly Bloodhounds are associated with tracking dogs. They have 40 times the number of olfactory cells, which makes them have incredible snouts that mark their walks as precious.
They are noble yet curious dogs one can own. With such a dog breed, you can hunt, travel, and leave your children beside them. With gentle behavior, they are also the perfect caretaker of children.
Being a Bloodhound owner, you must know their strong will and independent character. With a shorter life span of 10 years, they are clumsy and boisterous but very affectionate.
Bloodhound Pros
Getting the Bloodhound breed with wrinkled brows and droopy ears is charming. So, we listed the plus points for hounds for your convenience.
- Strong sense of smell: Their 320 million scent receptors can smell 300 hours old.
- Exceptionally Tolerant: They are kind and tolerant enough to bear children’s antics.
- Greater Adaptability: Bloodhounds can get along with other pets without any fear.
- Less Energetic: Their patient and less energetic behavior allows them to fit a low-key lifestyle.
Bloodhound Cons
Along with its beauty, the Bloodhound possesses some odd qualities, too. These qualities are unpleasant to owners, making them opt for dog breeds other than hounds.
- Difficult to Train: They have a mind of their own, so you must be patient while training them.
- Grooming: Excessive drooling and shedding requires regular grooming and bi-weekly brushing.
- Shorter Life Span: Bloodhounds have a maximum life span of 10-12 years.
- Not Responsible: Allow the visitors to go silently. Hence, they are not a protective dog breed.
- Health Issues: They are susceptible to eye disease and bloating compared to other dogs.
Who Should Own A Bloodhound?
Bloodhounds are suitable for outdoor lovers and hunting enthusiasts. They can accompany their owners on hunting trips as they help them hunt their prey. Their keen sense of smell allows them to track scent over long distances, so they are ideal for search-and-rescue teams.
If your Bloodhound dog is trained, it can also help find missing people. Law agencies have an opportunity to have a faithful friend who pays them well with loyalty and effective search operations.
People with large spaces and yards can also own the Bloodhound breed. They are a perfect fit for people who enjoy traveling or have a healthy lifestyle with lots of action and a heart to love and care for Bloodhounds.
These dogs are sweet, loving, careful, and playful around children, cats, and other dogs. However, their independent nature is challenging, so trained and committed owners with experience handling large dogs should only opt for them.
Who Should Not Own A Bloodhound?
Bloodhound is the ideal dog breed that sounds like a perfect companion. However, some should not opt for them. At the top of the list are people with the busiest schedules. Those who work long hours away from home, including doctors or business executives, would not be good Bloodhound owners.
These dogs are social and like company hence they may become depressed if left alone for too long. Novice owners without experience with large dogs should also refrain from owning them. They are not ideal for those who prefer calm and quiet pets as they follow scent and roam freely to detect them.
People with minimal living space and restrictions over pets should not own Bloodhounds. They require room to run and play, which means big apartments or houses. People who face severe skin allergies should not own bloodhounds, as they are slavers and shed a lot. Since bloodhounds are big and active, families with newborns should think twice before adopting them.
Bloodhound Quiz
Bloodhound Pros and Cons Quiz
Personal Experience From Our Readers
We surveyed people who own Bloodhound breeds specifically. We found exciting experiences from readers who shared such dogs’ bad and good sides.
Bloodhounds are wonderful friends, but you need patience with them. I often find my boy following the scents. They are very talkative and need adjustments when they drool. They are friendly with kids, but they are so drooly. I love it when he wraps himself around my knees and cuddles me when upset. If you can manage this high-maintenance breed and are up for their training sessions, they will be an excellent addition to your family if you have the right expectations.
George Michael, 28, shared his experience of owning Bloodhound Dogs, says
Owning a Bloodhound is a challenge. They are not stupid and understand every order very well. But when it comes to obeying, they follow their instincts and can sometimes be stubborn. I named my Bloodhound pet “Rufus” because he drools a lot, which is quite unmanageable. I sometimes clean extra so that they won’t get allergic. Despite these minor issues, I love how affectionate and loyal my baby Bloodhounds are. They are gentle and loving, which makes them great companions.
Anthony Marks, 40, also shared a few sentences on having Bloodhound Dogs: