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About Bloodhounds
 Bloodhounds are an ancient and noble breed with a proud history that belies
their sweet disposition and unprepossessing faces.
They were the first purebred dogs to appear in Europe, originally bred by the Seventh Century French monk St. Hubert (patron saint of the hunter) and his disciples. A favorite of royalty throughout centuries, modern bloodhounds are descended from the dogs William the Conqueror first brought to England.
The use of bloodhounds to track people started in the 16th Century. The bloodhounds were so highly regarded that they were legally allowed to track a trail wherever their noses led them-- including people's homes. Although a favored breed, increasing populations and decreasing game hunting areas led to the bloodhounds' decline until the 18th Century. Starting in the 19th Century, as part of British dog show competitions, bloodhounds were used to track and trail people.
The bloodhound's astoundingly acute sense of smell is invaluable in modern times as part of search-and-rescue work. Once on the trail, a bloodhound will not stop to rest or eat until his quarry is found. A bloodhound is capable of following his quarry even if he or she is in a car, on a bicycle, ATV, horseback-- or even being carried by another person! On the trail, a bloodhound will block out all other scents, and can follow that scent across paved areas, water, through city streets, and all other forms of contamination, ultimately locating and identifying his prey. A bloodhound can also track a person whether he or she is dead or alive.
While their talents are many, bloodhounds are a difficult breed to care for. They have many physical requirements (including up to 15 pounds of food a week as adult dogs) and a few drawbacks (they drool excessively and have been known to fling saliva far and wide). They have little or no road sense, and in an urban area, will plunge into heavy traffic. Their short lifespans and delicate natures are also drawbacks to having bloodhounds as pets.
But bloodhounds have friendly natures and are famed for their unabashed affection for people and gentleness with children. A bloodhound, once done with tracking, expects to be rewarded with pats, hugs and kisses-- even from
its quarry!
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