Bloodhound

• Bathing: Bloodhound dogs need a bath only every couple of months, unless they get really dirty or smelly (it happens). Their coat already repels dirt, so don’t overdo it—but it’s OK to break the rule if they go on a particularly messy adventure. Use a gentle oatmeal dog shampoo, such as DermAllay Shampoo, for regular bathing.  
• Brushing: Bloodhounds have short hair, but they still shed. It’s smart to brush your dog with a grooming glove a few times a week. 
• Skin care: Use a cotton swab to get rid of any goop that accumulates in the folds around your Bloodhound’s eyes, and do a daily wrinkle check on their face and neck folds to look for any signs of irritation, which could be a symptom of a skin infection. Bloodhounds also drool a lot, so get in the habit of wiping their nose and chin, just like you might for a little kid. Use a vet-approved facial wipe, like this one from Vetnique Labs, for best results. 
• Dental care: Brush your dog’s teeth every day with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when they’re a young puppy so they get used to the experience. Get a dental cleaning at your vet about once a year, too. 
• Ear care: Keep your Bloodhound’s ear canals clean and dry—this is very important for preventing ear infections. Check your pup’s ears every single day, wiping away any debris with a vet-recommended ear wipe, like Pet MD’s Aloe and Eucalyptus Ear Wipes.  
  • If you notice redness, swelling, or debris in your dog’s ears, chat with your veterinarian.  
• Nail care: Trim your dog’s nails once a month. You’ll know it’s time for a trim when you can hear them tapping on hard surfaces. 

Bloodhounds are smart dogs. So if it takes them a while to get the hang of things, it’s not for lack of intelligence, but because: 

• Bloodhounds mature slowly, retaining their goofy puppylike nature longer than some other breeds. 
• A Bloodhound’s sense of smell is so strong that it’s easy for them to get distracted. 

To keep their attention, plan frequent, short training sessions—think 10 or 15 minutes, tops. Bloodhounds learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient with their lessons. Once you understand what works for them (they love a good routine where they know what to expect), training becomes much easier. 

Start with basic obedience training—like sit, stay, and come—when your dog is still a young puppy (or as soon as possible if you adopt them when they’re already an adult).  

These canine kiddos might pull on their leash a bit during training, so make sure you have a good, strong harness to keep them safe. This will also help to avoid neck injuries, as collars can tug at the neck and damage the trachea.  

Always use positive reinforcement during training sessions, rewarding your Bloodhound with special training treats, favorite toys, and enthusiastic praise when they do a good job. 

Bloodhounds adore food—has anything ever been more relatable? But while you can probably figure out that you shouldn’t gobble down something that’s toxic or going to get permanently lodged in your body, your Bloodhound hasn’t thought that far ahead.   

That’s why it’s very important to keep an eye on these pups and make sure they haven’t eaten any harmful people food or swallowed anything else they aren’t supposed to. (Bloodhounds are not above opening cabinets and fridges to steal a snack, so make sure food is kept out of reach).  

There’s no one-size-fits-all nutrition plan for your Bloodhound, but every dog needs a complete and balanced diet that meets AAFCO standards. Choose a diet for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). 

As a big, deep-chested dog breed, Bloodhounds can develop a life-threatening condition called bloat. This is when their stomach distends with gas and/or food. But don’t stress—pet parents can help reduce the likelihood of this condition by taking a few precautions during mealtimes, including: 

• Feeding your Bloodhound at least two meals per day instead of one big breakfast or dinner 
• Avoiding elevated food bowls (instead, keep all dog bowls on the floor) 
• Offering your Bloodhound their food in a slow feeder bowl so they don’t scarf 
• Restricting exercise for two hours before or after your pup eats 

Obesity can be another issue for Bloodhounds. If you notice your dog has gained some extra weight, talk with your vet about a diet and exercise plan.  

Remember to count treat calories, too. While treats are important for motivating your Bloodhound during training, they should never be more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories.  

You can try enticing your Bloodhound with some healthy and dog-safe human food, like pieces of apple, celery, blueberries, or cooked egg. But talk to your vet first to see what they say. 

Your Bloodhound needs at least one hour of solid outdoor activity every day. They’re not always high-energy, but they do have bursts of energy. And when they catch a scent, they’re not going to stop until they figure out what it is.   

For that reason, you’ll need to have a good grasp on their leash, and make sure they only exercise off-leash if they’re safely inside a fenced area.  

These dogs are highly individualistic when it comes to the kind of exercise they prefer, so try different activities to see what your pup likes. Some Bloodhounds are always on the go, while some may be a little more easygoing and prefer a more balanced ratio of relaxing moments and intense workouts.   

These dogs are likely to enjoy jogging and make good running buddies. Plus, they love playing fetch and other outdoor games like nose work. They’ll probably enjoy going to the dog park, too.  

Bloodhounds can fit into any type of family—single people, couples, or big families—as long as they’re active. These pups can also do well with other dogs and cats at home, if everyone is introduced properly and socialized.  

These dogs do need a fenced yard to roam. They love exploring the outdoors, but if they catch a scent, nothing else matters. They won’t let it go until they track down the source—sometimes running for miles. So, off-leash play in an unfenced area is not an option for this hyper-focused pup. 

Bloodhounds can be friendly, but they’re not necessarily outgoing and are much more likely to be aloof around new people.  

They’ll also bark and bay when they notice something, and while training can help tame their commentary, these dogs will never be quiet 24/7. So, a rural setting—or a suburban setting where you’re not right next to your neighbors—will probably suit a Bloodhound best.