IS THE BLOODHOUND RIGHT FOR YOU?
The Bloodhound is a scent hound of great size and strength with a noble, dignified expression. he has abundant 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 Bloodhounds head can spread saliva across a twenty foot room. His enormous size, food requirements, veterinary bills and short life span can make him a questionable companion for the average person.
KNOW THE BLOODHOUND BEFORE YOU COMMIT
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 available.
Ask to see the parents of the puppies; puppies of this breed change continually from infancy to adulthood, but should resemble their parents when mature . 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. 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 cheque book. 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:
LOCATION
If you live in a flat, look into something smaller. An eight week old 30 1b puppy will fit into a flat when it ' s purchased, but a Bloodhound puppy grows 4-7 1bs per week and 1" in height per week. He will very shortly out grow your lovely "little flat". A Bloodhound requires a fenced yard and room to grow.
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.
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 neighbours. He is a dog and requires a lot of personal attention and supervision through his first two years. 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, or are on a limited budget, the possession of a Bloodhound can pose some real problem s .
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 inadvertently let him fall into the hands of an uneducated and/or irresponsible breeder.
BREEDING
Breeding any purebred dog is an art and a science requiring an in depth knowledge of genetics, bloodlines and breeding characteristics. To insure future breed strength 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 inferior quality dogs. These people often equate "Champion" 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.
SHOWING
If you want a show dog, it is essential that you make this fact clear to the breeder. No one can guarantee you a "Champion", but he can select a puppy that in his opinion, is of superior quality and free from visible faults that would eliminate the puppy from show competition .
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 as a team. But field work requires a lot of hard work, time and patience. This work is not for everyone and for every dog.
PROTECTION
Is he a watch dog? YES! Is he a guard dog? NO! NO! NO! Guard dogs and watchdogs are not synonymous. The end result of people who try, end up with a vicious, unpredictable and potential four-legged lawsuit in their backyards. The Bloodhound is a very sensitive breed. He is extremely intelligent and quick to learn if the owner is patient and capable of communicating to him and his needs .
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, odour, 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, big tight feet, heavy bone, ears that reach the tip of the nose, square lips, narrowing face and noticeable loose skin around the head and neck.
4. Puppies should be outgoing and curious with the happy "tail wagging" 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. However, many breeders do not let a puppy go to a new home before it is 10-16 weeks old.
6. There is no preference given to colour in the Breed Standard or in the show ring. The colours are black and tan, red or liver and tan.
7. Visible faults can be checked in young puppies at 10 weeks of age: over or under bites, feet badly turned in or out, screw tails, retained testicle(s), and on occasion entropion. It becomes your responsibility as a buyer to discuss faults you don't understand with the breeder.
8. Puppies should have been started on their first set of immunisations and been wormed before they go into a new home and the purchaser instructed to have the puppy examined by a veterinarian and to follow his advice to the letter about all follow up vaccinations.
9. It is the breeder’s responsibility to supply the purchaser with detailed feeding instructions, a complete medical record, a three or four generation pedigree and official ANKC registration papers. If sold with limited registration, ASK FOR A WRITTEN CONTRACT.
10. Please do not purchase your Bloodhound from "pet shops" or "puppy farms". THERE ARE NO BARGAIN BLOODHOUNDS. Consult an affiliated breed club in your State for advise.
