History Bloodhound is a very old race, with its origins reaching Middle Age. Dogs of this type were being bred by noblemen mainly in Western Europe and used to trace game. Their fame grew thanks to the legend of the knight Francis Hubert who led very dissipated life when he was young, spending all his time for amusement. His favourite entertainment was hunting with hounds, with no obedience to any laws or rules. During one of those unethical hunting a white deer with a cross between its antlers appeared. After this event Francis Hubert has been converted and decided to change his life. As a result, he has joined an order of monks and later he has been elected the bishop of Liege (present-day Belgium). Despite changing his lifestyle and having ceased hunting he still occupied himself with hounds breeding. 100 years after his death he has been canonised and the order of monks he has been associated with has got his name. Dogs, which were being bred by the monastery, have been called "St Hubert Hound". After several years have passed, St Hubert has become the patron saint of hunters. In the beginning, St Hubert hounds were totally black, later the black & tan colour (the one known nowadays) became established. The hounds, along with already extinct Talbot race, have become the "material" used to create the majority of hounds breeds in Western Europe. In 1066, thanks to Wilhelm The Conqueror, they were brought to the British Isles, winning the respect of British hunters. Englishmen called them "bloodhounds" and the name became common in the entire world. Nowadays, the bloodhounds are most numerously found in United States and not so numerously in Europe. This is not a very popular race, they find, however, approval among the lovers of big, calm dogs with original appearance and uncommon character. The most famous bloodhound in the world (and one of the most famous dogs at all) is with no doubt the Disney's Pluto and his more human-looking mate - Goofy. Bloodhounds' attributess Bloodhound is a big, massive and majestic dog, the dog's height can exceed 70 cm at the withers and the bitches' height can reach 66 cm. The most characteristic attribute of this breed is big but narrow head with long pendulous ears, generous flews and numerous folds. Numerous folds exist also on the dog's neck - they create clearly visible dewlap. Bloodhounds should also be proportionally built but they should have massive and stout limbs' bones as well. The tail is usually carried below the topline of the back but, when the dog is excited, the tail raises and forms characteristic curved shape. Nowadays three basic forms of colouring can be found - black & tan (with various black to brown proportions) and uniform red. Small white marks on breasts and fingers are allowed. Charakter Bloodhound is a dog of majestic appearance. The character is underlined with big, folded head and long, pendulous ears. The threatening look successfully frightens uninvited visitors away. The dogs are, however, naturally calm and human-friendly - any symptoms of aggression are a defect, and dogs with that kind of behaviour should be prevented from reproduction. Their attitude towards other pets is also friendly, or - at least - indifferent. It should be taken into account that the breed has been carefully selected through ages in order to make them capable of taking their own decisions, and very often the dogs have been kept in large packs. That is where their moderate will to training and tendency to domination (concerns especially males) come from. It is extremely important to specify the growing dog's position in a pack (the owner's family usually). Bloodhounds are generally indifferent to strangers and do not like to become familiar with each guest visiting our home. Young dogs are extremely lively so they should be allowed to have a proper amount of exercising. It should be, nevertheless, kept in mind that their bones grow rapidly in the first year of their lives so it is not advised to let them get exhausted after long physical effort. The owners should also mind the dogs' natural tracing skills which may cause getaways during walks. However, complete disallowance of the possibility of free running cause improper physical and mental development, states of apathy or melancholia. Bloodhounds need constant contact with household members. Even if they live in a garden or a pen, their owner should keep his interest in the dog, take him for walks beyond familiar areas and, of course, let the dog at least visit the home. Utility Because of their incredible sense of smell the dogs were in the past used mainly to trace wounded animals. The lowering popularity of hunting for big game is the reason of decreased interest in bloodhounds as typical hounds. They are used by hunting enthusiasts in certain countries, though. Substitutes of proper hunting is progressively popular in Western Europe and United States - tracing competitions, not followed by shooting. It is a great way of using the bloodhounds inborn abilities and a nice form of leisure. The dogs' sense of smell is also being used for non-hunting purposes, as tracing fugitives, searching disasters' victims (earthquakes for example) or even drowned men. Bloodhound is nowadays usually a family dog, beloved by children and respected by adults.     BACK