Information, Facts & History of the Bloodhound Dog
The Bloodhound is famous for its 'dogged' ability to follow a cold scent many days old, over vast distances. It is built for endurance and can follow a scent across all of the main elements - in the air, across the water and over land. The ancestors of today's Bloodhound were derived from the Ardennes region in Belgium and in Brittany in the 700's and were known as the St Hubert strain after the monk Francois Hubert, who was subsequently canonised and became the patron saint of hunters. St Hubert's Day is remembered on the 3rd November when there is a traditional blessing of the hounds at the little Chapel of St Hubert. The Bloodhound is therefore known by the other names of the St Hubert Hound and the French variant the Chien du St Hubert. The St Hubert bloodhounds were crossed with other white French hounds and from these
came the early Talbot hounds who came to England with the Talbot family with William the Conqueror in 1066. The Talbot family, who came from Normandy, and were later granted the title of the Earls of Shrewsbury. Other names for Bloodhounds were the Sleuth hound, Slot or Slough hound ('Slot' meaning to track). Their Latin name was Sanguinarius. Monarchs traditionally gave gifts of dogs to the rulers of other countries. The French King who sent St Hubert hounds to Queen Elizabeth I and it is documented that the Queen's favourite, the Earl of Essex, kept 800 of these hounds. Another famous monarch, Queen Victoria, had several Bloodhounds which were presented to her by Sir Edwin Landseer, who painted many famous Bloodhounds. The name Bloodhound was derived, not from any blood thirsty reasons as might be supposed, but because of the Royal connections with the breed and the pure blood associated with it.
It was during the 1600's that hounds (although not necessarily Bloodhounds) were really first used to hunt sheep stealers and poachers. One of the first recorded arrests of a man by a Bloodhound in the 19th century was in 1810. It took place in the New Forest in England. The bloodhound’s name was besmirched by bad press and novels such as 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' which told of slaves escaping captivity and being mercilessly hounded by the Bloodhound. Many people believed stories that Bloodhounds trailed people out of a lust for blood! The poor bloodhound is such a gentle creature with amazing scenting ability - so much so that the Testimony of a Bloodhound's man trailing results is acceptable in almost any court. The dog is still used as a police dog to track missing people, fleeing suspects, or escaped prisoners. Perhaps one of the lasting images people always have of a bloodhound is his association with detectives and of course on of his names is that of the Sleuthhound!
Description of the Bloodhound Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours info
The Bloodhound's coat comes in a range of the following colours: Red, Black/Tan or Red/Tan. The coat is short, smooth & weatherproof.
Dog Health information - potential health problems of the Bloodhounds
All owners of dogs and puppies are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog health problems, including those of the Bloodhound, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors, or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the Bloodhound may be checked via the Dog Symptoms Sorter, but can include:
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia (abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip and Elbow Dysplasia)
- Entropion (the inversion, or turning inward, of the border of the eyelid against the eyeball)
- Ectropian
- Gastric Torsion
Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems
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Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems
