A DREAM COME TRUE OR A TOTAL NIGHTMARE
Screening potential buyers can be difficult. You can sometimes tell how badly folks want a puppy, but sometimes they have no idea what they are in for. You'll read things on the internet and elsewhere but they may not address all the aspects in owning a Bloodhound.
MY FIRST QUESTION IS USUALLY "WHY DO YOU WANT A BLOODHOUND?"
The classic answer is "they are loving and loyal dogs, good family pets."
Is this True or False? I will let you decide once you have read through this page.
WHAT YOU FIRST HAVE TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN CONSIDERING ANY BREED IS "WHAT ARE THEY FOR"?
The Bloodhound is the best and oldest scent Hound, perfectly molded and bred for this purpose. They are a dog attached to a nose. They are a dog that leads its master (whether they follow or not) to the end of the trail! They are not like some breeds that work in conjunction with their humans. Bloodhounds are independent workers so you'd better be prepared to learn to appreciate and harness their natural abilities.
BLOODHOUNDS ARE NOT "LAY ON THE PORCH DOGS"
Bloodhounds are quite active and puppies can be quite ornery. As you might have guessed, a bored Bloodhound can be a destructive Bloodhound. If you aren't prepared to challenge your young Bloodhound both mentally and physically, they are probably not the best breed for you.
These are not push button dogs. They can be stubborn and smart enough to decide if they really want to do what you just asked of them. They are thinkers and sometimes schemers! You must always be consistent with the house rules or your Bloodhound will try and outthink you to get what it wants.
BLOODHOUNDS ARE MESSY DOGS
Many bloodhounds owners refer to BB and AB . Life Before Bloodhound and Life After Bloodhound. Love a clean house? Well now you will have to work twice as hard to keep it that way! Think this can be helped by keeping them outdoors? NO! Bloodhounds must be both indoors and outdoor dogs. They are a breed that thrives being with their people and I will not place a dog who is not a part of the family home.
Bloodhounds shed quite a bit, Their slobber and any excess water is flung all over a room with the shake of its head. It's just harder to keep surfaces clean. Their nose gets them in all kinds of trouble. Counter surfing, dumpster diving, and electronic destroying.
THEY ARE TALL & QUITE CURIOUS
Consider the fact that a Bloodhound is 5 ft tall standing on their hind legs. They can reach almost everything you can. You will quickly learn to elevate (or put away) any and all food items, garbage cans, laundry baskets, papers and also properly store remotes, game controllers and anything else you don't want grabbed and possibly destroyed.
You become an air freshener / household cleaner Guru. You will learn that with so much wiping you may be painting baseboards every other year. You'll learn your hardwood floor is just going to have the "stressed" look..You will never have a bed or couch to yourself to stretch out on ever again. Fetal position is the only way you will fit. You might be thinking, "NO way , I would train my dog to sleep on its bed, and not to be on the furniture." Ha! Bloodhounds just tend to have a way with persistence and may wear down a person who is not as stubborn as they are.
HOME ALONE?
I suggest that all my puppy buyers crate train their dogs because an unattended Bloodhound can cause a lot of damage. During early puppyhood they can be very good, its during adolescence that I receive phone calls about "chewed baseboards, chewed furniture and crime scenes."
Don't give a Bloodhound too much freedom being loose at a young age. There is just too much that can go wrong. I have had people leave windows open and come home to a busted screen and a missing dog! They are opportunists and will test boundaries over and over again.
Another issue can be barking. Bloodhounds are not great guard dogs but they can be town criers, announcing everything they see. Consider your neighbours. I would be reluctant to leave a Bloodhound loose in a fenced in yard (when gone for the day) without electric fence . They can be climbers and diggers. I have even heard of some who take off fence boards.
YOUR YARD
First off it must be fenced. No question and no exceptions.
A Bloodhound may dig or it may become a great tree pruner! Might become a beaver and chew your deck. You may see Christmas in July when stuffed toys are gutted all over the yard, white stuffing everywhere!
You start to consider different things in life. Not what is always your taste but what is Bloodhound proof. I rarely wear white anymore. To me all floors should be heavy non slip vinyl or ceramic tile. Like your nice sports car? You'll be dreaming of an SUV or mini van.
BLOODHOUNDS, CHILDREN & OTHER PEOPLE
Bloodhounds can be great with children, provided they are properly exposed to them and learn to be calm around kids. The trouble is an excited Bloodhound accidentally knocking over a child with a hip check or swing of the head. Children must be taught to be another pack leader and be equally consistent with the Bloodhound as far as boundaries, rules and limitations.
Loyal? Well I thought Jereth was very attached to me and loved only me. Boy was I wrong! He went to Austria for a week to attend the world dog show without a look back. He was a very friendly, outgoing guy who made friends easily. I believe he would have gone home with pretty much anyone.
Like having company? Well lets hope they liked to be slobbered and jumped on by your 120 lb Bloodhound! It can be harder to find someone to watch your Bloodhound than your children.
Like going to camp? Remember these dogs cannot be off lead! Unless your camp is on a small island say good bye to carefree off-leash hiking and camping.
DIFFERENT EXPECTATIONS
I used to have a Standard Poodle. I only had to say things once with Charlie., I could ride my bike and have him follow beside me without a leash. If you have had a dog that did whatever you asked, be prepared that if you get a Bloodhound it will be very different. Eventually they do settle and with consistency and lots of training, they can become very well trained but in my experience it takes until they are 4.
Bloodhounds have changed my expectations in dogs, they seem so untrained compared to some of the dogs I met when I had a grooming shop. But when I go to Specialty shows I'm always complimented on how well behaved and trained my Bloodhounds are!
They really do change your life , But the bug-a-boos I mentioned aren't a big deal. You learn not to sweat the small stuff and your love your Bloodhound, slobber and all. They capture your heart and soul and make it all worth it. Just like kids. I cannot imagine being without a Bloodhound for the remainder of my life, They are a treasure and I love them more than anyone could imagine BUT I KNOW NOT EVERYONE WOULD.