Bloodhound
The scent hound with the finest nose in the world. Massive, noble and gentle: a big-game tracking dog, a search dog for missing people and a family dog.
From the Abbey of Saint-Hubert to the whole world
The Bloodhound is one of the oldest scent hound breeds in Europe. It is believed to descend from the black and the black and tan hunting dogs bred in the 7th century by the monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, in the Belgian Ardennes, under the patronage of Saint Hubert, the patron saint of hunters.
In the 11th century William the Conqueror brought it to England, where it was given the name bloodhound: a pure-blooded hound. Its nose made it a big-game tracking dog and, later, a search dog for missing people with the police and rescue teams. Today it is also a noble, calm family dog.
FCI Standard No. 84
A massive, large-sized scent hound, the most powerful of the hounds. Strong bone, well muscled and with a dignified bearing.
Docile, calm and gentle with people, deeply attached to its owner. Reserved and somewhat stubborn, never aggressive.
An imposing, noble head with abundant loose skin and deep wrinkles. Dark brown or hazel eyes with a kindly, somewhat melancholy expression.
Smooth, short and dense. Black and tan, liver and tan or solid red; a little white on the chest, toes and tip of the tail is permitted.
Ideal height 68 cm for males and 62 cm for females, with a tolerance of ±4 cm. Males 46–54 kg, females 40–48 kg.
An even, elastic and free trot that covers more ground than any other hound, with its characteristic rolling swing.