Breed and Breeder Questionnaire as featured in Dogs Life Magazine.

 

 

1.How long have you been breeding, or involved in the breed?

 

 

I got my first bloodhound over 30 years ago, but it was not until 1989 that I started showing and breeding.

 

 

2.If you had to describe the perfect person for this breed, what type of person would it be?

 

Bloodhounds are not for everyone; due to lips that should fall squarely in front which then forms deep heavy generous flews ( jowls) they can fling saliva 20 feet with one shake of their head.  Ideally, the ÒperfectÓ person should be fairly active with plenty of time and energy to give the hound exercise, plenty of patience and firmness, combined with affection. You should also not mind to much when the affectionate creature leans on you or puts its noble head on your knee, leaving behind a monstrous snail trail of slime!.  If the idea of this makes you shudder, a bloodhound is clearly not for you.

 

3.How would you describe the breedÕs personality?

 

The Bloodhound is a particularly social breed and can live in harmony with other dogs, people or animals and is really only happy in company. 

However, if a puppy is spoilt and allowed to have its own way all the time, as it gets older it will decide to lead the pack itself, in this case the pack being the owner and family.  If you like to be dominated, of course there would be no problem provided you do exactly as it wants you to!  Most humans prefer to run their households their way, and the young bloodhound must be taught from an early age that you will stand no nonsense and any question of a take-over bid is definitely out.  So it is most important to establish rules early and to stick to them, as it will only confuse a young animal if it does not know from day 1 what it is, or is not, allowed to do

 

 

Compared with other breeds, Bloodhounds can be willful, stubborn and very disobedient, until it is realized that hounds of this breed have retained the true hound characteristics of hunters and make their own decisions.  At the same time they are incredibly sensitive dogs. You cannot discipline a bloodhound like you can an average dog, they need firm, fair, and most importantly, CONSISTENT (it may sound contradictory) but, also gentle handling, they really are a unique breed.                                          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.Does the breed require much training/are they easy to train? Do they participate in agility etc?

 

Some would say it is a challenge, but with consistency and perseverance it can be done.

It really all depends on the amount of time and effort the owner puts into them.

In the USA there are a small number of hounds who do obedience and even agility, and they do it quite well.

I have found though, for basic instructions such as sitting for their meals, or walking nicely on a lead, with positive reinforcement and a special food reward they will learn quite quickly.

 

But this is a breed that excels at trailing, and yes even though training is required more for the hound to hone his skills, it is just as important for the handler to learn how to read his hound and most importantly, learn to completely trust his/hersÕ hounds instinct.

 

 

 

 

5.Does the breed require much exercise?

 

These dogs canÕt be just left in a yard by themselves continually doing nothing, you are asking for trouble otherwise.  It is not so bad if they have company, but they still should have some form of exercise.  While they are puppies up until 9/12months of age, exercise should be restricted to ÒplayÓ time on the oval or yard, with short walks. After one year of age, walking or working (trailing) should be increased.

You find though as they get a lot older, they do start to slow down.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Does the breed require a lot of grooming/care?

 

Bloodhounds are basically a ÒWash and WearÓ type of dog, only requiring a bath just enough to keep them clean.

A good brushing is required every so often though, more so when they moult which occurs a couple of times through the year.

However, eyes and ears should be checked on a daily basis, and cleaned if necessary.

 

It is also a good idea to have on hand a towel to wipe their face after drinking and eating if they are to reside in the house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.Is the breed good for families/children?

 

 Bloodhounds are friendly, often good with children but care must be taken with young ones as they could knock a toddler over with one wag of their mighty tail.  Children must be taught not to disturb them whilst asleep, or tease them, particularly over food, as this could make them bad tempered. If suitably brought up together, however, a bloodhound will be completely trustworthy with children They are not generally aggressive toward other people, dogs or other animals, though some can be reserved with strangers.   

                                                      

6. Does the breed make a good watchdog?

 

 

It depends on whether it suits them to be! If they are awake, and around, they always alert me as to whether we have a visitor or something is not quite right. But if they are asleep, forget it, they couldnÕt hear anything over their snoring.

Some hounds though, can get quite protective of their home and owners vehicle, and they would put a lot of possible burglars off what with their size and very deep bark.

 

 

 

 

7.Do you have any funny stories or moments about the breed you could share with readers?

 

Funny stories! There are too many to mention, every one of my hounds has had many funny moments, each incorporating their own idiosyncrasies, like Panda swimming out to us in the middle of the dam and then rolling over on her back and falling asleep, while we supported her back. Or Max who had a tendency to fall asleep in the most inopportune moments, one of them being in the middle of a dog show, and I also have a vivid memory of watching him fall off the jetty head first, and backside up, into our dam.

Or old Henry, who hated being helped with anything, and who became a legend in our valley amongst the neighbours for various reasons.

At the moment young Izzy and Lil are cracking us up with their antics of surfing on the Malibu board in the dam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Are there any hereditary diseases in the breed?

 

The most common health problems associated with the breed would be:

 

 

Breeders should screen their breeding stock with OFA to reduce the chance of their puppies having these problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.What do people need to be aware of before becoming a proud guardian?

 

That they are definitely not a dog for everyone, they are quite unique individuals who are head strong and think for themselves. In the very limited books of the breed, they all say

ÒYou canÕt tell a Bloodhound to do something, you have to ask themÓ

You have to remember that their nose is the most important thing to them, (after food that is) and they will act accordingly.

But, if you can maintain you status as leader, and treat your hound firmly and with fairness, you will get in return one of the most loving, and loyal dogs, which will make you laugh with their clumsy antics, and gaze in awe at their gracefulness, and dignity, at other times.

 

 

 

 

 

10.   How much do pups cost? How often are pups available?

 

Price of pups varies from $1200.00 to $1800.00, depending on the litter.

 

 

11.   What is the breedÕs lifespan?

 

Like most large breeds, the life span of a Bloodhound is suite short, varying from 6 -10 years of age, though I have had a number of them that have nearly reached their 13th birthday.

 

12.   What backyard requirements does the breed require?

 

Because of the Bloodhound's Òhead strong natureÓ  and their ÒloveÓ of  using their nose, it is most  important that not only is the hound kept in a fully enclosed area at all times, but it is highly recommended that they be kept on a leash while out on a walk.  Once they get on the scent of a trail, you can yell till you are blue in the face and they will not take any notice of you. To have a loose bloodhound is to end up with a dead bloodhound!

 

 

 

 

 

13.   What is the breed standard?

 

 

GENERAL APPEARANCE - Noble and dignified expression, characterized by solemnity, wisdom and power. 

CHARACTERISTICS - Possesses in a most marked degree every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent (Sagaces).  Very powerful, standing over more ground than is usual with hounds of other breeds.  Skin thin and loose, especially noticeable about head and neck and where it hangs in deep folds. 

TEMPERAMENT - Affectionate, neither quarrelsome with companions nor with other dogs.  Somewhat reserved and sensitive. 

HEAD AND SKULL - Head narrow in proportion to length and long in proportion to body, tapering slightly from temples to muzzle, thus when viewed from above and in front having appearance of being flattened at sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout entire length.  In profile upper outline of skull is nearly in same plane as that of foreface.  Length from end of nose to stop not less than that from stop to back of occipital protuberance.  Entire length of head from posterior part of occipital protuberance to end of muzzle 30 cm (12 ins) or more in dogs and 28 cms (11 ins) or more in bitches.  Skull is long and narrow, with occipital peak very pronounced.  Brows not prominent although owing to set of eyes may appear to give that appearance.  Foreface long, deep and of even width throughout, with square outlines when seen in profile.  Head furnished with an amount of loose skin, which in nearly every position appears abundant, but more particularly so when head is carried low; skin then falls into loose pendulous ridges and folds, especially over forehead and sides of face.  Nostrils large and open.  In front lips fall squarely making a right angle with upper line of foreface; whilst behind they form deep hanging flews, and being continued into pendant folds of loose skin about neck, constitute the dewlap, which is very pronounced. 

EYES - Medium size, dark brown or hazel, neither sunken nor prominent, the lids being oval in shape and meeting the cornea - front window of the eye - perfectly without any irregularity in their contour.  Eyes should be free from any interference from the eyelashes. 

EARS - Thin and soft to the touch, long, set on low and falling in graceful folds, lower parts curling inwards and backwards. 

MOUTH - Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. Upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. 

NECK - Long. 

FOREQUARTERS - Shoulders muscular and well sloped.  Forelegs straight, large, round in bone with elbows well set in.  Pasterns strong. 

BODY - Ribs well sprung, chest well let down between forelegs forming a deep keel.  Back and loins strong, the latter deep and slightly arched. 

HINDQUARTERS - Thighs and second thighs very muscular.  Hocks well let down, bent and squarely set. 

FEET - Strong and well knuckled up. 

TAIL - (Stern) Long, thick, tapering to a point, set high with moderate amount of hair underneath.  Carried scimitar fashion, but not curled over back or corkscrew any time.  When moving carried high. 

GAIT/MOVEMENT - Elastic, swinging free. 

COAT - Smooth, short and weatherproof. 

COLOUR - Black and tan, liver and tan (red and tan) and red.  Darker colours sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger coloured hair and sometimes flecked with white.  Small amount of white permissible on chest, feet and tip of tail. 

SIZE - 
Height: Adult dogs 66 cm (26 ins) 
Adult bitches 61 cm (24 ins) 
Dogs  usually vary from 63-69 cms (25-27 ins) 
Bitches usually vary from 58-63 cms (23-25 ins) 

Mean average weight: Adult Dogs 41 kg (90 lbs) in fair condition. 
Mean average weight: Adult Bitches 36 kg (80 lbs) in fair condition 
Dogs  attain the weight of 50 kg (110 lbs) 
Bitches   attain the weight of 45 kg (100 lbs) 

Hounds of the maximum height and weight preferred, providing that quality, proportion and balance combine. 
 
FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

NOTE - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Hound Group     A.N.K.C.  ©   January 1998


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.   What is the average size of the breed?

 

The Bloodhound is a scent hound of great size and strength with a noble dignified expression.  When in fair condition adult males can weigh over 50kg, and stand approximately 69cm high at the shoulder, where as bitches weigh approximately 45kg and are about 63cm high. They do not reach their full weight and body type until 2-3 years of age.

 

15.   Anything else you would like to add?

 

In the USA, not only are bloodhounds used for searching lost/missing people, but they are also used for police line-ups in identifying the perpetrators of a crime, as the BloodhoundÕs testimony is taken as evidence in most courts of law there.

Remember that scent is always the forgotten evidence!

 

Bloodhounds are successful at trailing people because they are scent-selective, by trailing the actual skin rafts of one person, whereas other dogs track crushed vegetation.

Researchers have estimated that a bloodhound's nose consists of approximately 230 million olfactory cells, or "scent receptors" -- 40 times the number in humans.

The BloodhoundÕs olfactory sensitivity is approximately 3 times as powerful as that of the popular working dogs such as the German shepherds and Labrador. Given their undisputed sense of smell, they have not only been able to find their quarry successfully, (some trails have been over 300 hours old), but, also pursue people who are travelling in vehicles, as well as indicating/ locating bodies in water.

 

 

It is because of the BloodhoundÕs unique ability to be scent selective, and hone in on their quarry, irrespective of how that person got there, that they CAN NOT BE TRAINED IN THE SAME METHODS OF OTHER DOGS that are trained on the crushed vegetation method.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I would dearly love to see bloodhounds being used by the authorities, whether it is the SES or police.  I have been lobbying for years in trying to promote the breed for these activities, and in the past, we have offered working hounds to the police in high profile cases, but, to no avail, they were not wanted.

 

Unfortunately the police arenÕt interested in them as they are not multi functional, and it would mean that legislation would have to be changed to allow the dogs testimony to be used in a court of law.  It is a shame because here is a very useful tool that is being utilised to its full capacity in the US, where hounds are helping to incarcerate criminals by identifying them from scent pads that that have been collected at the scene of a crime.

The FBI has successfully carried out experiments where the hound is still able to identify the maker of a bomb, after it has been blown up!

In one of the Californian Prisons, since scent pads of each prisoner has been taken on their arrival, and specially sealed and stored, not one prisoner has tried to escape, as they know that the bloodhounds would be after them.

 

 

 

Back in 1998 we held the first and only Man Trailing Seminar in Australia where we had visitors from all over the country come and stay with their hounds, and be lectured by Craig Murray a specialist dog trainer, who has also been taught by the Bloodhound Trailing GuruÓ USAÕs Bill Tollhurst (now deceased).

It was an amazing week which opened all of our eyes, especially when we had 8 month old hounds successfully finding their quarry that had either been on foot or travelled in by vehicle.

Hopefully one day we will eventually get to see working bloodhounds being used by either the Police or SES.

This is where the bloodhound is meant to be, and this is where they excel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sue Pederick

Baylord Bloodhounds