Bloodhound

While Bloodhounds make admirable pets, they do take a bit of maintenance and upkeep as they are solid dogs. Some people have a vision of Bloodhounds as those pooches that laze on the front porch in the sun, but nothing could be further from the truth. These dogs love activity and can walk for miles upon miles without a break! As a puppy, they are energetic, and you will need eyes in the back of your head to keep up with them. They do mellow as they age and become less active and more controllable. These dogs can be indoor  pets but keep in mind that they are droolers, and with one shake of their heads, the house will need recleaning. As a dog breed, they are easy to keep clean; a regular bath is all that is needed as well as a good towel down afterwards. Brushing during the hotter months will take care of the shedding, but their main upkeep is their eyes, ears and the folds in their skin. These sensitive areas need constant maintenance to keep free from debris and parasites. Call your veterinarian if there is any discharge coming from the eyes, or if a smell is emanating from within your dog’s ears (often caused by infection).  Because Bloodhounds are a big dog and can be very energetic, they get hungry quickly. Rather than feeding one big meal a day, consider spreading the mealtime over three separate events which will keep your pet full and avoid the breed’s susceptibility to bloat. This condition can quickly become serious if your dog’s stomach twists on itself cutting off the blood flow. This condition is known as gastric torsion and needs immediate veterinary assistance.