Bloodhound Dog Breed Guide

Bloodhounds are large, powerful canine athletes with incredible stamina. Because of their active nature, they need a complete and balanced food that supports both their overall health and their high energy levels. Look for a recipe that provides precise nutrition and supports lean muscle and joint health.

Since Bloodhounds can be very enthusiastic about eating, portion control is key to their long-term wellness. To keep them feeling their best, it is often helpful to feed multiple small meals per day instead of one large one. Using a slow-feeder bowl and consulting your veterinarian to set a specific calorie target are also great ways to manage their intake.

The right ingredients make all the difference in keeping your Bloodhound in peak condition. To support muscle maintenance, look for formulas featuring high-quality protein—like chicken, lamb or salmon—which provides optimal amino acids. To provide the energy needed for their daily activity, seek out carbohydrates from grains like cracked pearled barley or whole-grain corn. To keep their digestion on track, look for prebiotic fibers from ingredients like beet pulp or fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Finally, ingredients like fish oil provide omega-3 fatty acids that help nourish their skin, joints and brain.

Bloodhound puppies can take up to 18 months to mature into full-grown adults. While they are growing, they need nutrition that supports brain development and growing joints. Ask your veterinarian to help you calculate feeding amounts and adjust as your pup grows. The right large-breed puppy food will include balanced ratios of calcium and phosphorous, both of which are needed to support healthy bone and joint development. 

Adult bloodhounds do best on a nutrition routine that provides energy, but not excess calories. Choose a complete and balanced food to maintain overall health and wellness.

Providing the right nutrition can help a large-breed dog like a bloodhound enjoy their golden years to the fullest. Opt for a dog food that's specifically for dogs 6 years and older — these should contain ingredients to support joint health and be easy to digest. A complete and balanced dog food for senior dogs should also contain ingredients to support immune system health and internal organ health.

Unhealthy weight gain may result in increased wear and tear on joints, which can be harmful for a large-breed dog. Keep your bloodhound at a healthy weight to keep them comfortable and healthy as long as possible.

Ask your vet how much your bloodhound should weigh, what the best food is and how much to feed them to maintain a healthy weight. Measure the amount you feed them on a kitchen gram scale, limit treats to 10% of the total daily calorie count and check your dog’s body condition monthly. Your veterinarian can help you determine a healthy weight for your dog and what food is best.

The bloodhound is a soulful, deliberate companion with a nose that never quits and a tender heart. Their overall droopy appearance creates an air of quiet wisdom. But don’t let their serious expression fool you — bloodhounds are affectionate and often goofy in their own lumbering way. They’re independent thinkers, driven by scent and curiosity, which means they may follow their nose before they follow a command. But they're also gentle and patient, especially with kids. Living with a bloodhound means embracing a little drool, a lot of loyalty and a dog who always knows when something’s up.

Families or individuals who enjoy daily outdoor time, have a yard that is securely fenced, and can provide daily structured enrichment and exercise

Kids and other pets when properly socialized. Always monitor children around dogs.

Sedentary households or homes without time for consistent training and exercise

Before adopting any breed of dog, it's a good idea to speak to a veterinarian to determine if their health and care needs fit with your household, budget and lifestyle.

These dogs need at least an hour of daily physical activity, split between purposeful walks and free sniff time. Scent work is a bloodhound's favorite thing on the planet; they truly enjoy scent games, tracking, snuffle mats and puzzle feeders. Consider signing them up for a structured nosework class, which targets their strongest ability. A good sniffing session can be more tiring than a long walk, and a tired bloodhound is a terrific roommate. Without regular engagement, a bored bloodhound can get destructive as they try to create their own fun.

Remember that most of a bloodhound’s brain is thinking about food and interesting smells. To be successful in training, be patient and use positive reinforcement and high-value food rewards. Keep sessions short — multiple short sessions per day are much better than single long sessions. It is recommended to start while they are puppies and enlist the help of a professional trainer. Bloodhounds are sensitive souls, so avoid harsh corrections. Recall training is essential, and should happen on long lines first, then in fenced areas (because a hot scent is more interesting than even the best cookies).

Cooperative care and early socialization can also help bloodhounds grow into confident, easygoing canine companions. By introducing gentle handling of ears, feet and skin during puppyhood, you can make grooming and veterinary visits much smoother later. Positive exposure to new people, friendly dogs, and different environments during the critical socialization period of 8-15 weeks of age builds confidence. Teaching bloodhounds skills like standing calmly for nail trims or opening their mouth for a quick look keeps everyone safe, especially when the dog weighs as much as a teenager. A little preparation now means fewer wrestling matches with a very determined, very large hound later.

In general, bloodhounds are a healthy, robust working dog breed, but their size and conformation can come with a few issues to watch out for. Regular veterinary care and weight control go a long way. 

Bloodhounds have long, floppy ears and long ear canals that can trap moisture, increasing the risk of external ear infections. Routinely checking the ears and cleaning gently with a vet-approved cleanser supports healthy ears.

Bloodhounds have heavy facial skin and droopy eyelids, which can predispose some dogs’ eyelids to roll in or out, causing painful irritation to the eye. Surgery is available to correct these issues.

Most large-breed dogs are at risk of several inherited developmental joint disorders, including hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Growth management in puppies and early screening by your vet, as well as lifelong weight control, are crucial to supporting healthy joints.

Bloodhounds benefit from a simple, consistent grooming routine. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry or grooming mitt removes loose hair and redistributes skin oils. Bathing can be done as needed to keep their coat clean. Their facial folds should be dried after meals and water play with a soft wipe. Ears need regular attention too, so check them once or twice a week for redness or odor and clean with a gentle ear cleaner, if recommended by your vet. Trim nails every three to four weeks or as needed based on wear, and brush teeth daily.

If you love a kind dog with legendary scent tracking skills and don’t mind a little drool, the bloodhound may be your match. Provide daily exercise, scent work, patient, kind training, good nutrition and veterinary care, and you will earn a faithful friend who claims your couch as base camp.