BLOODHOUND
Scenthound Group
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

Copyright 1991, United Kennel Club, Inc. ..............................View Registration Requirements

History

The Bloodhound is a trailing scenthound, tracing its origins to the ancient French St. Hubert Hound, a type of hound raised for their tracking and hunting ability. They are experts at cold-trailing (following an old, "cold" trail), making them exceptional tracking dogs.

The Bloodhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1914.

The Bloodhound is characteristically a trailing scenthound and possesses those characteristics indicative of that type of hound, which includes hanging ears, packing behavior and methodical tracking ability.

The breed is very powerful, and stands over more ground than is usual with other scenthounds. The skin is thin to the touch and is extremely loose, being most noticeable about the head and neck, where it hangs in deep folds.

The Bloodhound's expression is noble and dignified, and is characterized by solemnity, wisdom and power.

The breed is extremely affectionate, and not quarrelsome with companions or other dogs. Their nature is somewhat shy, and they are sensitive to both kindness and correction from their master.

The Bloodhound is a superb tracker, having an extremely advanced scenting ability. Being an independent hound, obedience work takes much patience and dedication.

The head is narrow in proportion to its length, and long in proportion to the body. It tapers slightly from the temples to the end of the muzzle, giving it the appearance of being flattened at the sides and of being nearly equal in width throughout its entire length when viewed from above and from the front. In profile, the upper outline of the skull is nearly the same plane as that of the foreface. The length from the end of the nose to the stop, at a point midway between the eyes, should not be less than the distance from the stop to the top of the occiput The entire length of the head, from the posterior part of the occiput to the end of the muzzle, should be twelve inches or more in dogs and eleven inches or more in bitches.

The head is furnished with much loose skin, which appears superabundant. When the head is carried low this is exaggerated, the skin then falling into loose, pendulous ridges and folds, especially over the forehead and sides of the face.

The skull is long and narrow; the occipital peak is very pronounced. The brows are not prominent, but may appear to be so due to the characteristically deep-set eyes.

The foreface is long, deep and of even width throughout, with a square outline when seen in profile.

In the front, the lips fall squarely, making a right angle with the upper line of the foreface. Behind they form deep, hanging flews, which continue into pendant folds of loose skin about the neck, constituting a very pronounced dewlap. These same characteristics are found in a lesser degree in the bitch.

EYES - The eyes are deeply sunken in the orbits. The lids are lozenge or diamond-shaped. The lower lids are dragged down and everted by the heavy flews. The eyes vary from deep hazel to yellow, depending on the color of the individual dog. Hazel is preferred, but is seldom seen in dogs that are red and tan in coloring.

NOSE - The nostrils are large and open.

EARS - The thin, soft ears are extremely long, are attached very low, failing in graceful folds and well-twisted inward.

The neck is long.

The shoulders are muscular and well sloped backward.

FORELEGS - The forelegs are straight and well boned. The elbows are squarely set.

The ribs are well sprung. The chest is well let down between the forelegs, forming a deep keel (the outline of the brisket). The back is strong. The loins are strong, deep and slightly arched.

HIND LEGS - The thighs and gaskins are very muscular. The hocks are well bent, well let down and squarely set.

The feet are strong and well knuckled-up.

The tail, referred to as the "stern," is set rather high, is long and tapering, and has a moderate amount of hair underneath.

The acceptable colors are black and tan, red and tan, and tawny. The darker colors are sometimes interspersed with lighter or badger-colored hair, and sometimes flecked with white.

A small amount of white is permissible on the chest, feet and tip of the tail.

The average height of adult dogs is 26 inches, with a variance of from 25 inches to 27 inches. The average height of adult bitches is 24 inches, with a variance of from 23 inches to 25 inches. The greater height is preferred, provided character and quality are not compromised.

The average weight of an adult dog, in fair condition, is 90 pounds; dogs may weigh as much as 110 pounds. The average weight of adult bitches is 80 pounds; bitches may weigh as much as 100 pounds. The greater weights are preferred, provided that quality and proportion are not sacrificed in favor of size.

The gait is elastic, swinging and free. While gaiting, the tail (stern) is carried high, but not curled too much over the back.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.