Page 143 - (DK) The Dog Encyclopedia

SCENT HOUNDS

Bloodhound THE CANINE

SUPER-SLEUTH
HEIGHT WEIGHT LIFE SPAN Black and tan
Historically used in Britain for stag hunting,
23–27in 79–110lb 10–12 years Liver and tan
Bloodhounds are superb tracking dogs, as
(58–69cm) (36–50kg)
depicted in the 17th century engraving below.
As deer numbers fell, the Bloodhound became
Gentle and sociable despite its size, this dog has a deep somewhat redundant, though a few were
kept on large estates to track down poachers.
bellowing voice and a strong desire to hunt Early settlers in the US used Bloodhounds
to track people, too. As recently as 1977, two
The ultimate scent hound, the Bloodhound During the 19th century French breeders 14-month-old Bloodhounds—Sandy and
Little Red—tracked down prison escapee
is sometimes called a nose with a dog imported some Bloodhounds to resurrect
James Earl Ray, the man who shot Civil
attached. Dogs of this type have appeared in the old Chien de St. Hubert breed. Later
Rights leader Martin Luther King.
written records since the 14th century, in the 19th century people began to breed
although they are thought to be even older. pure Bloodhounds in the US; Americans
The dogs were used to hunt deer and wild have used the dogs for tracking criminals
boar and to follow people. In Scotland and missing people, and evidence from
sleuthhounds were used to track the a Bloodhound can be admissible in a
raiders and cattle thieves who operated court of law.
along the English-Scottish border. In the The tracking instinct is so strong that it
17th century the eminent scientist Sir Robert can make obedience training difficult, since
Boyle told of a Bloodhound that tracked the dog will be easily distracted by scents
a man over seven miles and through two around it. Nevertheless, this good-natured
busy towns, tracing the man to the very dog is an excellent family companion for
room where he was concealed. those with room to spare.

Heavy, loose upper lip
Deep-set eyes give
solemn expression
Shaded red

Very long,
pendant ears

Pronounced
dewlap

Lower ears
curl inward

Smooth, short,
weatherproof coat
Long, thick,
tapering tail

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