Why Does My Bloodhound Stink

Ella is the cutest dog, especially when she walks over to you with her floppy ears. Yet, recently you have begun to notice that she smells absolutely disgusting. You don’t understand why Ella smells so awful, especially since she has not been out playing or running around in the dirt. Ella’s smell is a mystery to you because you cannot seem to find the source of her stink. Even when you take Ella to the groomer’s, it does not help. Due to this, you have now decided to go on a search to understand why Bloodhounds smell all of the time. 

To some degree, all dogs smell. Golden Retrievers sometimes smell and so do Bloodhounds. Yet, every breed is different and if you own a Bloodhound, they are more than likely going to smell the majority of the time and they are also going to smell more than a Golden Retriever would. In fact, Bloodhounds are specifically known to be amazing at hunting because of their smell. They are loyal, smart, and extremely sensitive to all that surrounds them. You may even notice that their faces slouch and they drool a lot, which contributes to their scent. The Bloodhound coat is made for the wild, which is exactly why they smell a bit more than other breeds. Bloodhounds like Emma have a lot of grease in their coats, which helps with their time in the wild and it also helps with trapping smells. 

Bloodhounds have impeccable scenting skills. Their coats hold moisture to repel dirt and water, which can sometimes help trap scents and even small scraps a lot more than a dog who has a fluffy coat would. You may also notice that Emma has a lot of skin folds, which helps hold a lot of moisture. Her floppy ears help lift the scents that she smells up into her coat. Although Emma is not hunting in the wild, she is still bred to do that. Her coat is going to be extremely greasy and she will easily trap things in her body. If Emma is drooling a lot, her drool may even get stuck in her coat and if her face is not wiped clean after she eats, there may also be food leftover and trapped in her coat. Although this seems quite peculiar, it is a part of the Bloodhound breed. Although it is normal for Emma to smell, you want to make sure you keep her groomed as often as you can. Wipe her mouth after she eats or drinks and wash her when you can because if she may come down with skin issues, if it is not monitored. 

If you notice that Emma's smell is quite strong or if the smell is a bit different than normal, you may want to check with your veterinarian. Emma's smell could be coming from her anal glands or she may have contracted a skin problem that is called Malassezia Dermatitis. Your dog may become itchy, greasier than normal, have a musty odor, and even have papules on her coat. If this is the case, you want to take care of Emma's health as soon as you can so it does not get out of control. Yet, for the most part, Emma probably will have a light scent and it is just a part of her canine nature.