Anyone have a bloodhound?

Question

I really love all hounds! I have a basset hound and she's the best dog for our family. I have taken quite an interest in bloodhounds. All that loose skin and those long floppy ears. They look like they would be such a fun dog to have. I don't really know much about them though. Are they good family dogs? Are they laid back or do they need a lot of exercise? Do they have annoying habits? Pros and Cons of them. Thanks

I don't have a bloodhoud! That's why I was asking the question. I have a basset hound, which is totally different. Please read the question if you're going to bother answering it.

Answer 1

I am a hound person myself. Bassets rule!!! The Bloodhound is a GREAT dog. I personally don't own one, my friend does. He is king of the house. Yes he is good with children and has such a sweet temperament. The only thing you need to know is they are a searching dog and they need a lot of exercise and to be able to hunt things out. Once they get the smell they will track until they find it, they never give up. That is why so many are used for search and rescue. If you decide to get one remember to let them "do their thing" about tracking. My friend will hide something and let Red smell it out. They are wonderful family pets, like I said, they know what their job is and they need that hunt to be truly happy. You'll never find a better dog than a Hound.

Answer 2

"The Bloodhound is a kind, patient, noble, mild-mannered and lovable dog. Gentle, affectionate and excellent with children. This is truly a good natured companion. These dogs are so good-natured that they will lie there and meekly let children clamber all over them. This breed loves all the attention they receive from children. To be fare to your Bloodhound, make sure your children do not pester or hurt the dog, because Bloodhounds will sit there and take it, which would not be fare to the dog. Very energetic outdoors and boisterous when young, determined and independent. It needs firm, but gentle training. This breed tends towards willfulness. The new owner of a Bloodhound will need to have plenty of patience and to possess great tact for training to succeed. The most important consideration is to be consistent - these dogs know full well how successfully they can get around with a pathetic look and make use of it to get their own way. Do not expect too much by way of obedience from this dog - they are naturally gentle animals but they do have minds of their own and will often make their own decisions rather than following your orders. Males go through puberty in-between the age of 1 and 2 years. They can be quite a handful at that time, but after age 2, with the proper training, stimulation and consistency, they are wonderful dogs. Some Bloodhounds can be timid. Sensitive, gentle and shy, a Bloodhound becomes devoted to its master and gets along well with people. It is rarely vicious, although they can be aggressive with dogs of the same sex. This dog loves everyone and some will greet wanted and unwanted visitors happily. Others do not welcome unwanted guests. They can be protective of their domain, if no one is home, but out on a trail, they will welcome anyone. Some will bark and let you know when strangers are around. They can live in harmony with other dogs and household pets. Bloodhounds have a tendency to howl, snore, and drool a lot. He may sniff inappropriately or wander off on the trail of an interesting scent. Bloodhounds are able to follow any scent, even human - a rare ability in a dog. This breed has been said to successfully follow trails over 100 hours old. He is so determined that he has been known to stay with the trail for over 100 miles. The Bloodhound is such a sure tracker that the breed is used worldwide for rescue and criminal searches. The Bloodhound's evidence is admissible in the court of law. One Bloodhound brought about 600 criminal arrests and convictions. Bloodhounds can never be kept in an unfenced yard. Instinct will always get them wandering off on some trail. 90% of Bloodhounds cannot even be walked off leash. They flee, and when they get on a scent, instinct drives them to find the end of the trail."

Answer 3

These dogs are really huge dogs. Make sure you are prepared for a dog that is going to be 90-100 lbs. They also are big droolers. Most of the bloodhounds are really laid back dogs, however their can be some highly active ones. Make sure you research this breed before you run out and buy one. You cannot let the dog run around in a non fenced in yard eiter. They have such great noses that they can pick up smells really far away. Just make sure you do the research yourself.

Answer 4

A friend of mine has two of them, and she spends hours every week cleaning slobber, spit and drool off her walls, floors, and even ceilings. I have known some with great personalities, and some I considered dangerous. I think they are more prone to entropion (eyelids rolling in so that eyelashes touch the surface of the eye) than most other breeds. It can be corrected surgically. I have also seen a couple with chronic skin problems (atopy and the resulting infections). They are not cheap to own. They eat a lot, and the vet bills, when they occur, are pretty high because medications for such a large dog are expensive. They are also BIG strong dogs, so you need to be sure to train them well, starting at a young age, and you have to be big enough and strong enough to handle them.

Answer 5

I like them and was going to get one, but I decided against them because I didn't have a fenced-in yard. I was told that they are notorious for finding a scent and following it (whether you want them to or not) and they often get hurt because of it. They are okay family dogs and the do need a lot of exercise, but they do bark a lot. I think that they are great dogs, they just wouldn't fit into my lifestyle at the time.

Also, they do have a few health problems, mainly skin and joint problems. They have to have their wrinkles cleaned every day to prevent infection and they also drool quite a bit. They often have problems with their hips, elbows, shoulders, and knees. If you are looking to get one I would just be sure to purchase one from parents that have been thoroughly health tested (OFA, CERF, etc,)

Answer 6

I like hounds, but I dont have one.

Answer 7

if you have one then you already know your own answer to your question