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Hound Handbook
Insurance guide
Breed profile

Bloodhound

Gentle giant of the scent hounds, all folds, drool and nose. Placid at home and completely single-minded once it finds a trail.

Profile close-up of a red Bloodhound with long ears and loose facial folds, trees behind
Long ears and loose skin help trap scent around that famous nose.Photo: Flickr user SuperFantastic / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0
Weight
40–54 kg88–119 lb
Height
58–72 cm23–28 in
Lifespan
8–10 yrs
Group
Hound
Origin
Belgium
Popularity
#59 US#201 UK · 2025

Known for: Family dogsWorking dogs

Energy
Shedding
Trainability
Barking
Good with kids
Flat-friendly

Temperament

Gentle, Affectionate, Placid, Determined.

Health problems to know about

  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Entropion and ectropion
  • Hip and elbow dysplasia
  • Ear infections
  • Skin fold infections

Ask breeders for the parents' health test results, and check what your national breed club recommends screening for.

Daily care

Two hours of exercise a day split into several walks, on a long line or in secure areas because the nose overrides recall. Clean ears and skin folds weekly. Learn the signs of bloat, the leading cause of death in the breed.

A good fit for

Experienced owners with a large, secure garden, families with older children, and people keen on mantrailing or long walks.

Probably not ideal for

First-time owners, flats, house-proud homes (they drool), toddlers who are easily knocked over, and anyone wanting off-lead freedom.

Sources

  1. Bloodhound | Breeds A to Z | The Royal Kennel Club
  2. Bloodhound breed information | PDSA
  3. Bloodhound | Wikipedia

Popularity: AKC 2025 registration rankings (US); Royal Kennel Club 2025 registrations (UK, ranked by us). Breed traits are tendencies, not guarantees. Individual dogs vary, and mixed breeds and rescues can be wonderful fits too.

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