Bloodhound Complete Profile

Key Facts:

Size: Massive
Height: 58 - 66 cm (23 - 26 inches)
Weight: 36 - 41 kg (80 - 90 lb)
Life Span: 12 years
Grooming: Easy but extensive
Exercise: Considerable
Feeding: Demanding
Temperament: Gentle, but requires understanding
Country of Origin: Belgium
AKC Group: Hound
Other Names: St. Hubert Hound, Chien St. Hubert

Temperament:
The Bloodhound is lovable, kind, patient and good-natured. Bloodhounds are usually affectionate, but can be sensitive and reserved. They are very gentle dogs and are eager to please their owners. Harsh training is unsuitable with Bloodhounds, due to their sensitive nature and it is best to use gentle persuasive training. Some of these dogs will happily accept visitors and unwanted strangers, while others will be quite protective over who enters their home. Bloodhounds enjoy interacting with children, but it is important that they are not pestered or hurt as Bloodhounds will sit there and take it, which unfair on the dog.

Grooming:
Little grooming is required with Bloodhounds and brushing from time to time is adequate. It is important to check the ears for dirt to prevent infections and it may be necessary to wash them if they get dropped in the food bowl, for example.

Exercise:
Bloodhounds have great stamina and can walk for hours on end, so regular exercise is a must. They are tracking dogs, so when they find an interesting scent they will want to follow it, therefore, they should be on a lead when being walked and kept in a fenced-off backyard.

Feeding:
It is usually recommended that you feed bloodhounds small meals several times a day and do not take them out for walks on a full stomach. This breed eats a lot and is very greedy.

History:
Bloodhounds originated from the Asian mastiff family and it's believed that this breed arrived in France with the Romans. In the 8th century, the monk St. Hubert established an excellent pack and for many centuries, Bloodhounds were known as St. Hubert Hounds. About 4 centuries later, it is presumed that they were taken to Britain. Bloodhounds have such an acute scenting ability, that no other breed can match them. They have been known to follow trails over 100 hours old. Earning the title as Bloodhound, it is no wonder that they became invaluable to the police for their scenting abilities. Bloodhounds are renowned for their gentleness and for showing no aggression to the victim, when successful on a scent mission.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Solemn-looking, massive and powerful.
Colour: Red, black/tan or red/tan.
Coat: Short, smooth, weatherproof and the skin is quite loose.
Tail: Long, set high, tapered, straight and carried upright in action.
Ears: Long, set low, thin, soft, covered with silky hair and falling in graceful folds.
Body: Deep, broad back, solid loin, slightly arched belly and muscular, sloping shoulders.

Additional Comments:

Bloodhounds are prone to suffer from bloat, where the gases in the stomach tend to be produced in large quantities. Because of anatomical reasons, the gas cannot be belched in the normal fashion and may lead to torsion of the stomach, which can quickly become fatal, unless veterinary intervention is prompt.
The Bloodhound is supported by huge bones and has suffered over the generations from hip-joints, that can't always take the strain of them running along, head-down on a scent. Therefore it is important that owners always buy from a repuatable breeder.

Related Information of Interest:

Boxer's and Heartworms
It is surprising how many people are still confused about heartworms and the effects that a heartworm can have on
your Boxer.

First lets look at what heartworms are and how your dog can become infected.

Heartworms are transmitted by mosquitoes into the dog’s blood stream. The immature heartworms called microfilaria
travel through the blood stream.

The microfilaria settle into the heart chambers and major pulmonary blood vessels. This causes a blockage of the
blood flow and pathological changes to the surrounding tissues.

This blockage happens when the larvae grow into adult worms. An adult female heartworm can grow up to fourteen
inches and can live as long as five years.

A female heartworm can produce thousands of microfilariae, which is transmitted into a mosquito when it bites an
infected dog, and subsequently injected into the next dog that that mosquito dines on.

What Are The Signs That A Dog May Have Heartworms?

Usually the first system is weight loss. The dogs’ hair may become dull and brittle.

The infected dog also may tier easily.

A persistent coughs and or labored breathing.

In more progressed cases victims may vomit blood from ruptured lungs.

If the disease is not prevented or caught in time the result will be a slow painful death from congestive heart
failure.

What Do I Do If My Boxer Is Infected?

Treatment is available but it can cost hundreds of dollars, and may be ineffective depending on the degree of
infestation.

The best defense against heartworms is routine checkups with your vet. Giving your dog heartworm medication once
a month easily prevents heartworms.

Warning: You Must Have Your Dog Tested For Heartworms Before Starting Heartworm Medication!

About the Author

je Dunn has published several books on dogs and has free information all about dog training, health, and care at: www.boxerdogs-1.com/Boxer_Dogs.html Boxer Health Tips

7 Simple ways to safe Guard your dog this summer!
If you have a hard time in summer imagine how it must feel under a fur coat! here are some simple tips to help your dog beat the heat.

1) Bob The Hair:
If you have a shaggy dog like a pomeranian, Pekinese or any such variation then listen up. Your dog needs a hair cut. The hair should be cut with scissors and not shaved. Do not cut around the whiskers but you can carefully trim around the eyes.The less hair on your dog the cooler he will keep. If you have a short haired dog no need for a trim.

2) Play it cool: Food can be lighter and given before it gets hot in the morning and after it cools down in the evening.Depending on the dogs normal diet, reduce or entirely eliminate meat. Replace with soya, mashed or cooked with meat flavour. When a dog is panting give ice to lick.

3) walk on the mild side:
Walks should be taken early and then again after sundown. Don't encourage chasing, fetching games too much.

4) Cool it: If you enjoy airconditioning so does your dog.If you have a cooled space share it with your pooch.

5) No closed encounters: Never leave dogs in a completely closed space. If your dog is home, Leave on the fan. In a car, leave the window partially open.

6) Let it all hang out: Dogs sweat from their tongues so never tie or muzzle the mouth in the summer. Whilst giving medical treatment see if you can hold the head rather than tying the mouth. If you have to tie the mouth be sure to release as quickly as possible.

7) Do not bathe your dog more than once a month. Soap/ Cleansers strip their skin of natural oils and lead to skin irritation. when dirty you can simply towel dry with a damp towel.

About the Author

Venkata Ramana is a Dog Lover since childhood. Visit his www.dogs-now.com/go/Boxer Dog website and discover how you can make boxer dog the happiest, loving dog alive, Running healthily with you.

A Fundamental Dog Training Concept You Must Understand For S
I moved into a new house about 14 days ago.

The funny thing about this house is that--when you walk into the master bathroom, the light switch is on the left side, opposite of where the sink is.

Well, practically every other house I've ever lived in has always had the light switch on the right side--or at least on the same side as the sink.

And I'll be a monkey's uncle if EVERY SINGLE TIME I've walked into that bathroom, my hand doesn't instinctively reach to the right to turn the light switch on. Even after 14 days, my prior conditioning has been so engrained that when I consciously try to remember which side the light switch is on… my hand still shoot out to the right, instead of the left.

This is the exact same type of conditioning we aim for when training our dogs. And this is why I advise that--- even after your dog understands a command--you continue to say, "come" and then give a tug on the line… up to a year after the initial training session.

I want your dog to be so conditioned to respond to commands that it becomes an automatic response--just like turning to the right instead of the left, to turn on the bathroom light.

As I've already touched on this concept a few years ago in my book, which you can read more about at Dogproblems.com … I just had to share this experience with you, because it was so comical to the extent to which we animals (yes, we're animals too!) can develop conditioned responses.

Just like our dogs.

About the Author

Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History." Get a free copy of his report "Games To Play With Your Dog" when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com