The decision to get a purebred dog is a very good one. One of the benefits is predictability. This is considering how you would not be caught unawares in terms of the dog’s temperament, likely health conditions, and several other things.
However, you need to understand that all of the purebred canines have their highs and lows. This is why you need to consult a good canine guide and make your findings before making a decision. Speaking of consulting a canine guide, you can visit holistapet guide for more information about purebreds and canine breeds at large.
Well, this article will do its bit in discussing one of the common purebred dogs that people love. Here, we will shed light on what experienced and new canine owners need to know about the bloodhound breed.
Some Facts about Bloodhounds
Starting with the amazing things about this canine breed, some things you should know about bloodhounds include the following:
Nothing Has a Better Sense of Smell than a Bloodhound
Frankly, this is one of the first things that should come to mind when you think about this amazing dog breed. It has established itself over the years as the best sniffing machine and some research explains why it can perform this extraordinary feat.
Studies show that bloodhounds have millions of active scent receptors that get to work when sniffing. This is why the police, narcotics division, and other law enforcement agencies make good use of this animal.
Friendly
Especially if trained well enough, this dog breed can be very sociable. This is towards kids, others dogs, others pets, and even strangers. But it needs to be given the right training to make sure of this.
Need to be Well-Kept
A lot more needs to be done to keep this breed well-kept. This is for two major reasons. First, the sniffing drills can take bloodhounds to areas that are dirty and this can make them smell and look terrible.
Also, their makeup including the fact that they drool a lot contributes to the need to keep them very clean. So, you must be up to the task before you decide to have one. You would also need to do some cleaning in your surrounding from time to time because of them.
This is because of the places they can find themselves and how this affects your immediate surroundings as explained above. This is also because of the impact of their frequent drooling in your immediate environment.
Gender Determines a Lot
Gender choice is another big decision to make if you decide to get and raise a bloodhound. This is because there are clear differences between male and female bloodhounds. Let us see some of them here starting with females.
Females are a lot more patient, they are easier to train, a lot calmer, and do a lot more to please their owners and people around. Some of the negatives include the fact that they are clingier and breeding them is more costly.
On the contrary, male bloodhounds are social but not as clingy as females. They are also more confident. However, you need to do a lot more training them as they are more stubborn and could be destructive.
The chances of a female bloodhound having separation anxiety are a lot more than their male counterpart. This is because they are less independent and clingier. However, males that end up with separation anxiety will likely be more destructive.
These are some character differences between male and female bloodhounds that you should know. This will help you choose the gender that would suit your lifestyle if you are interested in going for this breed. For more on this subject, you can read this.
They Are Not Without Health Problems
Health conditions should be a major deciding factor whether you are going for pure or mixed breed. On that note, you should know that this breed does not do badly in this regard.
However, every dog breed is susceptible to health complications and bloodhounds are no exception. There are some minor and even major health complications that might come up.
This is why you need to be aware of them and how to prevent them. If they eventually happen, knowing about them will help take the needed action instead of seeing things become more severe. On this note, some of the major and minor health complications bloodhounds are susceptible to include the following:
Hip Dysplasia
For the record, this is not a health complication that is particular to bloodhounds. It is something that large breeds are more susceptible to.
The symptoms include muscle mass loss in the leg region, difficulty walking, stiffness, pain, decreased movement and/or activity, and awkward gait.
All these are caused because the dog’s bone socket is not holding the joint properly. Seeing the veterinarian is advised to diagnose this condition and offer the required treatment.
Bloating
This is another health complication that large breed canines are susceptible to. The signs suggesting that a bloodhound has bloating issues include excessive pacing, stiffness because breathing becomes difficult, inability to vomit or burp despite trying, and gas buildup causing an enlarged chest.
All these are caused by air or gas buildup in the canine’s stomach. The air or gas is trapped and unable to move through the appropriate channel. Some of the things you can do to prevent this include:
- Take ample time before you give your dog water before and after a meal
- Dividing rather than serving your dog large meals
- Elevating your dog’s water and food bowl
Other than hip dysplasia and bloating, there are other health conditions bloodhounds are susceptible to. For more on this subject, you can visit: https://www.dogbreedhealth.com/bloodhound/
On a Final Note
You should not only consider the gains but the cost as well when deciding which dog breed to own and raise. We have done this with the bloodhound here and advise that you consider all these details before deciding to own and raise one.
