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Why Do Bloodhounds Stink
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Common
Normal
Introduction
As cute as he is, your dog smells. He stinks and it is hard to be around him these days because of his smell. You absolutely adore your Bloodhound dog because of his adventurous personality and loving heart, but you have begun to notice that it is quite difficult to sit next to him. You can’t even give him a kiss on the top of his head without needing to plug your nose. Worried as you are, you begin to look into why Danny smells. As you dive deeper into the research, you now need to understand why Bloodhound dogs smell over other types of breeds.
The Root of the Behavior
Nobody wants a dog that smells and no one thinks about if their dog actually smells. Yet, if you own a Bloodhound, you might begin to hear yourself complain about your loving companion’s odor. Bloodhounds are unique dogs that any owner would be lucky to have. They are smart, loyal, and bring pure happiness to all those around them. Yet, if you own a Bloodhound, you probably already know this! Part of why Bloodhounds are so popular is because of their looks and that is also partially why Bloodhounds smell. All Bloodhounds have an oily coat, which means that their skin and coat is extremely greasy and does not hold dirt. This may sound amazing for living in the wild, but not for Danny who sits on your couch at home, smelling like a stinky shoe. Danny’s coat has many wrinkles and skin folds, which makes him extremely adorable but he also has folds on his coat that trap the smells of dirt, sweat, and even food. Therefore, any hound-like dog that is similar to Danny is going to smell as they sit there with their ears, drooping down to the floor. In fact, you may even find that Bloodhounds are more prone to infections because of the amount of skin folds they have.
Sometimes, your dog’s skin folds may not be the overwhelming issue at hand. Bloodhounds are prone to infections in other areas of the body, such as the anal glands and the ears. You may notice that Danny’s adorable and floppy ears are partially to blame for the stinky aroma. If this is the case, do not be alarmed! This is completely normal in Bloodhounds because their ears can easily pick up yeast and bacterial infections. Yet, Danny’s ears are extremely important because they help him with his scenting skills. As he walks around sniffing the ground, Danny’s ears will pull up scents from the earth and assist Danny’s nose. In fact, the trapped scents in Danny’s skin also help him with his scenting ability. Yet, regardless of the drooling, your Bloodhound canine loves to be with you and their smell is just something that is unavoidable. If you have a Bloodhound, you may want to cozy up with the smell, because it is just part of having a loving companion like Danny.
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Get Vet ChatEncouraging the Behavior
If you have a Bloodhound companion, you may just have to get used to their smell. It does not matter how many showers you give Danny and how many times you wipe clean his coat, he is always going to smell because that is just his nature. It is recommended that you embrace the Bloodhound smell in the best way that you can because it will make the relationship you have with your dog that much better. In fact, Bloodhounds have even been known to help organizations like the law enforcement because of their odor. Their nose, their drool, their coat, and their odor help attract smells that stick to their body and they utilize their own odors to discover necessary things.
Obviously, Bloodhounds are impeccably smart in all that they do, but most Bloodhounds today are just our loving companions who spend time with us, and we must give our dogs as much love as we can. Regardless of the role Danny plays, it is recommended that you keep his coat and wrinkles as clean as you can, so his smell and health is maintained. Give your dog as many baths as you can to keep his coat clean and neutralize his smell. You also want to constantly maintain your dog's ear health because Bloodhounds are prone to bacterial infections and yeast overgrowth.
Other Solutions and Considerations
The common concern with owning a Bloodhound is the stinky smell. Yet, getting used to the smell is actually quite easy for owners. In fact, most owners are even immune to the smell because they love their Bloodhound! Beyond giving your dog daily baths and taking care of their ears, you can also disinfect the smell in your house by lighting candles. The scent of candles can dilute the smell and it may not bother you as much. Secondly, you are going to want to groom your dog as often as you can. Trimming their nails, cleaning their ears, and bathing them can make all the difference in the world for their health and for their overall wellbeing.
Conclusion
Danny is a loving dog who cherishes you more than anything in the world. Your relationship has blossomed throughout your time together, but his smell has been disrupting that bond. Although it seems bothersome, it is still important to remember that Bloodhounds are courageous creatures who radiate love in all that they do. As owners, it is our job to accept their love, even if it comes with a stinky price tag.
Written by a Golden Retriever lover Erika Seidel
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 04/12/2018, edited: 01/30/2020
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