How the Bloodhound was born, the parameters of the breed's appearance, the behavior of the animal and its health, caring for the dog: procedures, nutrition, walks, training. Puppy price. The sense of smell of a dog of this breed was first helped in court as evidence of a crime. For this feature, she was appreciated for many centuries. The scent of dogs is so subtle that they can take a trail, even at a distance of two hundred kilometers. Anyone who has kissed a Bloodhound on the nose knows how handsome he is and what he is worth. None of the breeds can match them in the search. Dogs have no equal in their sense of smell, they are able to smell the smell even after more than twelve days.
It is best to walk them on a leash, otherwise they smell and remember what they called … Bloodhounds are distinguished by vivid external data, but the vocal ones are not inferior to them. The peculiar roar of these dogs is sometimes heard at great distances. Pets cannot be confused with anyone else, thanks to the long ears and drooping cheeks. To tell the truth, these animals have everything hanging: skin, eyelids and drool, with which they can spray the whole room.
How did the breed originate?
Since ancient times, the Bloodhound has been one of the most ancient hunting and hound dogs that originated in Belgium. The origin of the breed began several centuries ago. At first, these dogs lived in Belgian monasteries and were famous for the purity of their blood. Bloodhounds were bred to possess a powerful sense of smell. Not surprisingly, if the dog takes the trail, it stops obeying, responding and becomes kind of insane. Usually a person drives a dog, but bloodhounds themselves lead their owners, showing where to go.
They are designed to take the trail. As soon as air enters the nasal cavity, microscopic particles of odor descend on the mucus. Sniffing receptors immediately begin to act, which send initial data to the olfactory bulb of the brain. If we compare this organ with a human, then for people it is like a postage stamp, and for bloodhounds like a handkerchief. But not only the nose is responsible for the sense of smell.
These large, drooping ears act as panicles, sweeping all odors off the ground and directing them to the nose. Other folds are also involved in this process. They are so important that each has its own name. We are talking about the lips, starting immediately below the nostrils, and their continuation in the drooping parts of the lips reaching almost to the ears, as well as the fold hanging around the larynx. Of course, one cannot fail to mention the eyes of the bloodhound. When his nose is facing the ground, the sagging skin around his eyes hangs forward to form a kind of curtain. This allows the dog to concentrate completely on the scent, but prevents it from seeing the approaching object.
Bloodhounds have been popular for centuries. It was accompanied by such dogs that European kings left their huge castles to hunt. Representatives of the breed were imported to the Mediterranean countries, and later in the 11th century were brought to England. They were brought to Britain in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Despite the fact that these dogs are from Belgium, they have gained wide popularity in England. The breed was taken for hunting when they went for game of average parameters. Due to their amazing sense of smell, Bloodhounds were used to track down prey on a blood trail from several kilometers away.
At that time, only two types of these dogs were separated: white and black. English dog handlers have had no small influence on bloodhounds. Breeders have created the breed type that we see now. Nowadays, this breed is very widely popularized, and it is known all over the world. Over time, popularity is only gaining momentum, and such a dog becomes a loving friend and pet, but always remember about his hunting history and to this day a subtle flair that has survived.
Description of the parameters of the appearance of the Bloodhound
A dog of harmonious build of great power and impressive parameters. Possesses great strength and endurance. According to the accepted standard, the height at the withers in males is from 58 cm to 63 cm, in bitches from 56 cm to 59 cm. With an error of plus or minus one centimeter. Males weigh from 41 kg to 50 kg, females from 35 kg to 46 kg. They move majestically and nobly.
- Head large, massive, rather long. The skull is convex, flattened laterally. The occipital protuberance is conspicuous. The superciliary arches are not pronounced. Cheekbones are flat, covered with folds of skin.
- Muzzle is in line with the skull. Has a square shape. Its length is equal to the head. She has deep folds of skin that fall off her forehead. The flews are long, strongly overlapping the lower jaw. The lips are voluminous, with brown ooze and black pigmentation. The bridge of the nose is even or with a slight hump. The stop is smoothly rolling. Strong, white, large teeth form a scissor bite, but can be straight.
- Nose developed, voluminous with wide open nostrils. Colored with black, but sometimes coffee-brown.
- Eyes medium, oval, not wide and not very deep. The eyelids drop slightly at the bottom so that the cornea and slightly reddish mucosa are visible. The color of the iris is preferably dark brown or black-brown, but can be amber and hazel depending on the color of the coat. The look is smart, kind, soft and a little detached.
- Ears set low but not below the muzzle, covered with thick, soft hair. They have a long hanging shape, they form characteristic folds. Cartilage is thin and elastic.
- Neck Bloodhounds are very muscular and long, giving the ability to lower their head and sniff out the trail well. Under it, the skin forms a characteristic bifurcated dewlap. The withers stand out slightly.
- Frame compactly elongated, muscular and heavy, which makes them slow and slow. The top and bottom are in the same parallel. The back is fairly straight, strong and widened. The loin is shortened, slightly voluminous. The ribcage is deep and long, between the forelimbs it creates a kind of protrusion called the "keel". The ribs are harmoniously curved. The bottom line is straight, the belly is tucked up a little.
- Tail long and thick at the base, tapering towards the end. Has a bend in the form of a saber. From the bottom of the tail, a hard five-centimeter feathering grows. When the dog moves, it raises it above the spine.
- Front limbs - parallel to each other, lean muscles, strong. The shoulder blades are obliquely positioned, their edge protrudes slightly, the shoulders are well muscled. Hind legs - strong, strong build, balanced. Stand upright when judging. The thighs are elongated, strong and muscular. The hocks are harmoniously placed. Metatarsus slightly short, vertical.
- Paws not large, in a good arched lump, with fingers tightly pressed against one another. The nails are strong, the pads are firm and firm.
- Coat - dense, short, shiny, straight. A bit hard to the touch.
- Skin slightly loose and drooping, especially around the neck and head.
- Color most often reddish, coffee-red. Small specks of white are allowed on the chest.
Dog behavior of the Blundhound
Blandhound is renowned for his demeanor and noble manners. They are wonderful dogs, and there is no doubt about that, but still, they are not very suitable for an apartment. Bloodhound loves to work with his nose and needs open space. Dogs are very active and curious, they love to climb everywhere. They need to be stopped, otherwise they will have to be washed frequently. If you want to have a simple pet, happy and contented with life, loving family - this is your dog.
Bloodhound babies are treated with love and patience. Young "tormentors" bother the dog for hours, to which they receive only a regretful look in return. Just do not leave small children under four years old with dogs unattended, because bloodhounds themselves, without knowing it, are much stronger than a child and can cause harm. In general, these are affectionate and obedient dogs. They are the calmest of their kind. It is extremely difficult to piss them off, they have a very vulnerable disposition. They are boundlessly devoted to their master. For his sake, they will go to any act.
Bloodhound must be trained, otherwise he will become a big stubborn person. Indeed, thanks to its sensitive sense of smell, the dog can take even the trail that was left a few days ago. He turns off all his other senses and will chase the source of the scent until he discovers it. Therefore, during such searches, the dog runs the risk of being hit by a car. It is not easy and dangerous to walk with a pet that obeys only its own nose, so in addition to training, do not forget about a leash. In a big city, he will save the animal from trouble.
People who keep other pets need to consider whether to have a Bloodhound. He does not get along well with them, but he is not crooked and small animals are at risk of falling under his overweight paws. In some individuals of this breed, especially in males, there is a manifestation of aggressiveness towards their fellows.
Bloodhound health
Overall, this is a breed with a strong immune system. Like other large dogs, these dogs suffer from bloating. This can be prevented by feeding them from a tilted bowl after the walk and feeding them in two meals. You cannot overfeed the dog.
Bloodhound Care Tips
- Wool The bloodhound is short, but they are so active and energetic that they get dirty very quickly, so they need to be bathed often. This is especially true for the ears, which are constantly dragging along the ground and falling into a bowl of food. The dogs are washed with a PH-balance shampoo. Before washing, the concentrate is diluted with water in a ratio of one to three. Rinse it off well from the skin of the animal, otherwise there may be unpleasant consequences: dandruff, irritation, allergies and even eczema. Human products are not suitable for dogs as they are very hard and concentrated. Dry your dog in a heated room with closed vents. Only after complete drying with the pet can you go for a walk. It is enough to comb them out twice a week using special rubber brushes and gloves, which perfectly pull out dead hairs. During the molting period and until it ends, it is better to comb them every day. This will help the Bloodhound renew his coat faster. It is better to carry out the procedure outdoors, as the cilia of the hairs stick into furniture, carpets and are difficult to clean.
- Claws pruned regularly, with the help of claws, you can file them with a file.
- Ears blundhounds are long. Dogs constantly walk with their heads down, exploring smells on the ground and in thickets. Therefore, regularly check your ears for ticks, because the presence of such a parasite can greatly affect the health of your pet. They also need to be cleaned at least twice a week to avoid ear infections with a wax-softening lotion. The auricle is filled with the concentrate, gently massaged at the base, and unnecessary dirt is wiped off with a cotton pad.
- Eyes rub only when irritated, towards the inner corner.
- Teeth it is necessary to teach to brush from a young age the dog once or twice weekly. You will be assisted with a special brush (slipped over your finger) and edible dog paste available from zoological pharmacies. Brush your teeth in a circular motion in a clockwise direction. For prevention, there are toys for sale made of environmentally friendly and hard rubber and edible bones from pressed veins of cattle.
- Feeding Bloodhound should be strictly limited and low-proportioned. These canines are terrible gluttons and suffer from bloating. Therefore, never give food to your dog before walking. There should not be any pieces from the table, especially human food. Overweight individuals suffer from problems with joints, heart and stomach. Such defects then become chronic. The main composition of natural food for sexually mature dogs is meat (veal, chicken, turkey). Cereals, eggs, cottage cheese, some vegetables and fruits make up only twenty percent. With this diet, be sure to supplement your meal with vitamins and minerals. "Natural" can be perfectly replaced with ready-made premium and super-premium food. The composition of professional concentrates, selected by specialists, fully satisfies the needs of the dog's body. Such food provides the pet with all the necessary substances to the maximum for its excellent well-being and excellent appearance.
- Walking - on the street only on a leash, and free walking only in a fenced area. They walk with the pet at least twice a day, from an hour to an hour and a half.
Animal training
If you want your Bloodhound to become a Sherlock Holmes, training will take a lot of effort. He is stubborn, stubborn, independent and wayward, at the same time gentle and touchy. Dogs can be spoiled by harsh treatment. The person conducting the training must be firm, but at the same time affectionate, infinitely patient and realistic. Do not demand from them the successes of virtuoso collies. Sexually mature males have a very problematic character, which is just undergoing formation. It is necessary to conduct reasonable and consistent work with them so that their disposition becomes more stable and gentle.
In Southern California, the Blundhounds are engaged in field rescue operations. There are dogs trained to look for people, and there are - animals. These dogs have the appropriate certificates.
Interesting facts about the Bloodhound
Bloodhound from Alabama accidentally entered the half marathon. The small sporting event was held in a small town in Alabama and ended with an incredible event. An unregistered "athlete" took part in the competition. The half marathon was held to donate money to athletes running from a local high school.
Out of one hundred and sixty participants, a new member suddenly appeared - a two-year-old Bloodhound named "Ludivin". The owner of the dog said that the pet followed her when she was sent for a walk and no commands and persuasions to send her home worked.
Except for the sudden hesitation, the dog covered all thirteen miles in order to study the dead animal and sniff with its fellows. Its result was very good, as for a newly minted athlete - one hour, thirteen two minutes, fifty six seconds. “Ludivin” took the seventh position in the race and attracted great attention of the spectators to the competition. The judging commission granted the dog a well-deserved reward - a medal.
Buying and price of a Bloodhound puppy
If you are ready to devote time and money to the education of such a stubborn "sniffer", then you can safely get a Bloodhound puppy. Before you buy a good pedigree, remember that you need to find a professional breeder. Only after talking with a specialist, you can fully understand whether you need such a dog. A knowledgeable person will explain to you all the nuances of the breed. He will tell everything about her health, character, specifics of training and content.
At the time of the transfer of the puppy to the future owner, he will be fully vaccinated, swallowed, marked with an individual number and supplied with documents from the canine organization, which fully confirm his pedigree. The price for each individual will not be the same. Puppies with excellent conformation and females are always much more expensive than their less "polished" counterparts. The cost of a bloodhound ranges from $ 1000 to $ 2000. Puppies with a large cull are cheap and are given as pets, with the obligatory condition of the breeder not to introduce them into breeding.
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