Bloodhound Puppy Information

Just for your information, Bloodhounds aren't necessarily good family pets. They probably are not appropriate for families with small children. Bloodhounds certainly not appropriate for first time dog owners. They do better in homes with multiple dogs. They do better the more space they have. Bloodhounds do better when someone is home a significant part of the time. The Bloodhound is more independent than many other breeds of dog, making discipline issues more likely. The Bloodhound certainly has more health issues than many

If people would look at why the Bloodhound was developed -- the purpose -- they would understand that this is an intelligent,THINKING, dog of tremendous strength, tenacity, stubbornness and activity. They were bred to trail. And they need those qualities to perform. Regrettably too many buyers think they are like that pathetic dog on the TV show...lazy, lay around, dumb hounds. The Bloodhound must have an owner who is willing to provide the physical and mental stimulus the dog needs, and not frustrate the natural tendencies by over-crating and over-disciplining. Discipline has to be reasonable, and believe me, they know the difference. It helps if you're a bit smarter than the dog too. They can try the soul of a Saint!

The bloodhound is a scent hound of great size and strength with a noble, dignified expression. He has superabundant loose skin which falls into loose, pendulous folds especially noticeable around the head and neck. Although his beginnings are left to speculation we owe his development to St. Hubert, the patron saint of the hunter. It was believed he originally obtained his stock from southern France. This breeding was carried on after his death by the abbots, who succeeded him.

Not everyone should own a Bloodhound. The swing of a Bloodhound's head can spread saliva across a 20 foot room and years of antiques can be destroyed by his stroll through your living room. His enormous size, food requirements, vet bills and short life span make him a questionable companion for the average person.

KNOW THE BLOODHOUND BEFORE YOU BUY!

If you have decided that the Bloodhound is the breed for you, it is imperative that you invest the time and effort to find out the characteristics, requirements, advantages and drawbacks of owning this noble hound. Attend dog shows in your area and study the bloodhounds as they are judged; talk to exhibitors and breeders. Visit as many kennels as possible and compare the puppies they have available.

Ask to see the parents of the puppies. Puppies of this breed change continually from infancy to adulthood, but should resemble their parents whenmature. If you don't see a dog you like at a particular kennel try another. No breeder has a corner on the market. Be honest with the breeders you visit. Tell them what you want in a Bloodhound; companion, show dog or working dog. As a novice, you will be in a better position to finally select and purchase a puppy that will fit into your home as a friend and companion if you are well informed about the breed you have chosen.

The ethical, concerned breeder will ask you many personal questions because he cares about the welfare of each of his puppies. The unethical breeder and pet shop is only concerned with your checkbook. If, for some reason, you are unable to keep your dog, contact the breeder. The reputable breeder will take the dog back willingly. Few pet stores can make the same claim.

FACTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE YOU PURCHASE

1. Location - If you live in an apartment, look into something smaller than a bloodhound. An 8 week old, 20 pound puppy will fit in a condo when it's purchased, but a Bloodhound puppy grows 4 - 7 pounds per week and 1/2 to 1 inch in height per week. He will very shortly outgrow your lovely little condo. A Bloodhound requires a fenced yard and room to grow.
2. Family Decision - If you want a Bloodhound for the family but your wife wants something smaller, think twice. Statistics prove that the wife does most of the feeding, training, cleaning and grooming. As your hound grows in size, your wife's enthusiasm will fade in relation to the increased needs of this giant. Never purchase a puppy to grow up with the baby unless you are prepared to cope with the extra work load.
3. Responsibility - Once you have acquired a Bloodhound, you have also acquired a whole new set of responsibilities and are no longer the carefree souls you were. You cannot run off for the weekend and leave him to the tender care of your neighbors. He is a dog that requires a lot of personal attention and supervision through his first year. He is not one that thrives on a bowl of food and a bed in the garage. If your life style is unsettled, you are inclined to move frequently, travel or are contemplating the service as a career or are on a limited budget, the possession of a Bloodhound can pose some real problems. An adult hound is not easy to place in another home especially if he has acquired bad habits; getting back your original purchase price through resale is next to impossible and in your desperation to unload an unwanted hound, you might accidentally let him fall into the hands of an uneducated and/or irresponsible breeder or owner.
4. Breeding- Breeding any purebred stock is an art and a science requiring an in-depth knowledge of genetics, bloodlines and breed characteristics. To insure future breed strengths and type it is essential that only the most superior hounds are bred. Many inexperienced new owners try to recover their original purchase cost by breeding a litter or two. They inadvertently breed mediocre quality dogs and increase the number of inferior hounds. These people often equate a Ch. with breeding quality. A few have the sale of the week with hopes of unloading older puppies. If you have the desire to breed for income or to supplement your income, choose a breed that is less costly to raise and has a more extensive market.
5. Showing - If you want a show dog, it is essential that you make this fact clear to the breeder. No breeder can guarantee you a Ch., but he can select a puppy that in his opinion, is of superior quality and free of visible faults that would eliminate the puppy from show competition.
6. Tracking or Trailing - This is the breed's main purpose and intent. Bloodhounds are the only ones with a nose that has eyes. Field work can be most fulfilling and exciting as you and your dog work together. But field work requires a lot of dedication, time and patience. However, it's worth every minute when your dog has a CD, CDX, UD, TD, TDX, or mantrailing title. This work is not for every person or for every dog.
7. Protection - Is he a watch dog? YES! Is he a guard dog? NO! NO! NO! Guard dogs and watch dogs are not synonymous. The outcome of trying to turn this watch dog into a guard dog is that you end up with a vicious, unpredictable and potentially four-legged lawsuit in your back yard. The Bloodhound is a very sensitive breed. He is extremely intelligent and quick to learn if the owner is patient and capable of communicating his desires to the hound.

WHAT SHOULD A NOVICE LOOK FOR IN A PUPPY?

1. Know the breeder. Visit him, talk to him. Get acquainted with his stock and his breeding record.
2. Check his kennel for cleanliness, odor, clean drinking and eating utensils and the care and housing he gives his hounds.
3. Puppies should be healthy, clean and happy with clear eyes and noses. A puppy should stand with all four feet pointing forward. He should have big tight feet, heavy bone, ears that reach past the tip of the nose, square lip, an overall narrow appearing head and noticeably loose skin around the head and neck.
4. Puppies should be outgoing and curious with a happy, tailwagging disposition, rather than cowed or shrinking from visitors.
5. Age is important. Beware of the breeder who tries to sell you a puppy less than 8 weeks old. Most conscientious breeders do not let a puppy go to a new home before it is 10 to 12 weeks or older.
6. There is no preference given to color in the breed standard or in the show ring. The colors are black and tan, liver and tan, and red.
7. Some faults can be observed in a puppy of 10 weeks. You can see a truly bad bite, feet excessively turned in or out, shy or fearful temperament, entropion and screw tails, to name a few. It is your responsibility as a buyer to discuss faults you don't understand with the breeder and vice versa.
8. Puppies should have their first set of vaccinations before they go to their new homes and a complete set of instructions for follow-up vaccinations, nail trimming, and general care.
9. It is the breeder's responsibility to supply the purchaser with full feeding instructions, complete medical records, a three to four generation pedigree and AKC registration papers. YOU SHOULD ASK FOR A WRITTEN CONTRACT.
10. BEWARE OF PUPPY MILLS AND PET SHOPS. These puppies are shipped, sometimes as early as 3 or 4 weeks, from dams that are improperly fed and cared for during pregnancy and without the socialization and nutritional care so necessary for healthy development. There are no BARGAIN Bloodhounds.

FURTHER READING MATERIAL

THE NEW COMPLETE BLOODHOUND, by Catherine F. Brey and Lena F. Reed. Howell Book House, Inc.

HOW TO RAISE AND TRAIN A BLOODHOUND, by Hylda F. Owen. TFH Publication

MANHUNTERS, HOUNDS OF THE BIG T, by Bill Tolhurst and Lena Reed, Hound Dog