Is the bloodhound the right breed for me?

Bloodhounds are not right for everyone. Due to their generous flews, they can sling saliva several feet with one shake of their head. Their enormous size, food requirements, vet bills and inherently short life span make them dubious companions for the average dog-lover. As a puppy, the bloodhound will grow four to seven pounds and one-half to one inch in height per week. As is common with large dogs, they have a short life span of about 10 years.

Are bloodhounds good with children?

Bloodhounds are friendly and are very good with children. However, sometimes in their exuberance to play with a smaller child, they will knock the child down. When they find someone at the end of the trail, they are likely to lunge at them--to plant wet slobbery kisses all over them.

Can I let my bloodhound roam free?

NO! NO! NO! Bloodhounds are very determined. They are aggressive in the sense that they will want to finish trails, and that they can be hard to call off once on a trail. They can be difficult to train off-leash for this reason. However, they are not generally aggressive towards other dogs or people. The pendulous skin over their ears and eyes will fall down over their eyes when they lower their heads to trail, effectively blinding them. Because of this and their determination, bloodhounds are usually run on leash for their own safety and must be contained within a fenced yard or run.

Do bloodhounds bark?

Bloodhounds can make an amazing variety of sounds. They can bay expressively, howl, and whine, all in melodious tones. The neighbors may not appreciate this, however.

Do bloodhounds have any specific medical problems?

Like all large breeds, bloodhounds may have hip dysplasia, a potentially crippling disease. Breeders should receive OFA certification on their breeding stock to reduce the chances of their puppies having hip dysplasia.

The bloodhound is sometimes prone to a condition known as gastric dilitation and volvulus, or bloat. This potentially fatal condition afflicts many of the breeds with a large, deep chest.

Moreover, as a rule, bloodhounds, along with other breeds of similar size, do not live as long as their smaller counterparts do. The typical life span for a bloodhound is about 9-11 years of age, with noticeable aging occurring as early as 8 years of age.

How big do bloodhounds get?

The AKC breed standard states that bloodhounds attain weights of up 110-115 pounds and stand as much as 27 inches at the shoulders.

What are the colors of bloodhounds?

Bloodhounds are available in black & tan, liver & tan, and red. However, we raise only black & tan bloodhounds.

I just want a pet. Is the extra cost of a dog from a show breeder worth it?

Most definitely! A reputable and responsible show breeder will offer animals, even pets, that are of much higher quality than those from a backyard breeder or puppy mill. In addition, responsible breeders, through their study of genetics, will be able to offer a dog with a more stable temperament than will those who are only breeding dogs to produce a profit.

I want a dog for mantrailing. Shouldn't I go to a breeder who specializes in this field?

Not necessarily. Frequently, less reputable breeders will promote their dogs as being from mantrailing lines when in actuality, they are just making excuses for their mediocre animals that deviate from the breed standard.

Which sex makes the best mantrailer?

The sex of the dog has nothing to do with mantrailing ability. Each sex has its own advantages and disadvantages, and selection is really a matter of personal preference. One sex does not make a better working dog than the other does.

Does spaying or neutering ruin a dog as far as mantrailing is concerned?

Not in anyway. In fact, the performance of a dog will be improved, since you will have removed a major distracting influence from his life. In addition, you will have contributed to a longer, healthier life for your working dog. Spaying or neutering is highly recommended for pets as well as working mantrailers.