70-100 lbs
21-25"
United States
The Labloodhound, also known as a Labhound, is a mix between a Labrador Retriever and a Bloodhound. Although large dogs, they are gentle and friendly and don’t like being left on their own. They don’t shed a lot and are regarded as quite low maintenance when it comes to grooming although they do slobber quite a bit. They require a lot of exercise and having Bloodhound in them will mean they love to follow a scent, sometimes for hours. They are very good with children so make great family pets. Common colors are black, brown, or a combination of white and brown and the coats tend to be short and dense.
The Labloodhound is a combination of a Bloodhound and a Labrador Retriever. Regarded as America’s most popular breed, the Labrador Retriever originates from Newfoundland, off the northeastern Atlantic coast of Canada. Small water dogs were bred with Newfoundlands which were called St. John's Water Dogs or Lesser Newfoundlands and worked closely with local fishermen. But this breed almost died out in the 1880s following a hefty dog tax which saw many of the female pups culled. The Earl of Malmesbury is credited with developing the breed in the United Kingdom where they were used as gundogs and was the first to refer to them as “Labrador” dogs. They were recognized by the English Kennel Club in 1903. They are highly regarded as guide dogs for the blind and also work in search and rescue. The American Kennel Club recognized Labrador Retrievers in 1917. The Bloodhound is an ancient breed believed to have been used in Britain from about 1300. Its ancestors are believed to be St. Hubert hounds which were bred by the monks of St. Hubert's Abbey, in what is now Belgium. They are known by the French as the Chien de Saint-Hubert. Bloodhounds were bred to track deer and boar but also to track man. They were used first used by law enforcement in England in 1805 for hunting poachers and thieves and even now, testimony of a Bloodhound's mantrailing results is acceptable in most courts. During the second World War, the breed nearly died out. It is not known when the breed was first imported into the United States although they are believed to have tracked runaway slaves before the American Civil War. They were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885.
The Labloodhound is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a Bloodhound and is likely to be a large dog weighing more than 100 pounds with a deep chest and powerful shoulders. Common colors can include black, brown, or a combination of white and brown and their coats are dense and short. From the Bloodhound parent breed, the Labloodhound may have loose skin around the neck and upper back. The ears are usually longer than a Labrador Retriever but not as large as the long, sweeping ears of a Bloodhound but it will always depend on which is the more dominant parent breed. A Bloodhound’s eyes are sunk deeply into its face often giving it a serious expression and they have long tails, usually held erect while a Labrador Retriever has friendly brown or hazel colored eyes and a strong broad tail.
Labloodhounds have dense coats and don’t shed much so are quite low maintenance when it comes to grooming. They will do fine with occasional brushing but they do need the folds in their skin to be cleaned regularly to prevent any skin problems forming. With both parent breeds prone to ear infections it will be crucial to check your dog’s ears regularly and clean them to prevent any dirt accumulating. It is always a good idea to get your pet into the habit of having its teeth cleaned regularly. This breed is likely to chew a lot so it will be important to check for any cracked teeth. Checking on the nails to see if they need clipping is also important.
Labloodhounds often suffer from gastric torsion. Secure pet health insurance today to avoid high veterinary care costs. Our pet insurance tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like Figo and Spot. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!
The Labloodhound is likely to be a friendly dog who loves everyone they meet although may be a little shy with strangers. With both parent breeds being very good with children, the Labloodhound is also likely to be and will thrive with an active family who takes them on lots of outings. They don’t like being left on their own for long periods and may develop destructive behaviors like chewing or digging. They are also known to howl and bark so the best cure for this is lots of exercise and interaction with family members. Bloodhounds are notoriously stubborn when it comes to training and need plenty of positive reinforcement and won’t respond to harshness, so your pet is likely to be similar. The breed is likely to make a good watchdog but is too friendly to be much of a deterrent when it comes to intruders. They are energetic dogs who may disappear if on the scent of something interesting so it may be an idea to keep the dog on a lead when out in public.
A Labloodhound will be an energetic dog needing regular daily exercise to keep fit and prevent any bad habits from forming. They will enjoy long walks and runs and are likely to enjoy swimming so will love going to the beach. Ball games will be a good idea to help burn off excess energy. If they are being exercised in a public place you will need to keep an eye on them wandering off to track down an interesting scent. These dogs will be best suited to a home with a fenced in yard and not an apartment as they are big and need space. With their dense coats, it is not recommended to exercise your pet in the heat of the day but rather early in the morning or later in the evening.
Written by a Jack Russell lover Helen Bamford
Published: 10/30/2017, edited: 12/27/2021
More articles by Helen Bamford
