This dog, also known as the Saint Hubertus dog, originates from Belgium. We are talking about one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, which also has great physical characteristics, thanks to its size and appearance. However, the character of the Hound surprises all who know it, it is also a very balanced breed of dog that creates strong bonds with its guardians, whom it follows and protects.
If you are evaluating the option of adopting a terrier dog or simply want to learn more about the Saint Hubertus dog, read on, in this dog57 breed profile we will show you everything you need to know about the Bloodhound or the Saint Hubertus dog, and possibly the dog with the best sense of smell in the world. Read on!
What breeds make a bloodhound?
Not much can be said precisely about the origins of these dogs, but it is estimated that their ancestors were strong dogs, black or black and tan, that accompanied monk Hubert himself in his hunting days. Later on, this monk would be canonized and became a part of history as "Saint Hubert", the patron saint of hunting and founder of the monks of Saint-Hubert.
This explains not only the name of the breed but also why it was traditionally attributed to the monks of St. Hubert, who lived in the Andean Abbey, located in the Belgian part of the Ardennes. These dogs would have remained "isolated" in this area for several years until King William "The Conqueror" decided to import some specimens to England during the eleventh century.
The Bloodhound as we know it today, most likely, is the result of selective crosses between the descendants of St. Hubertus dogs imported from Belgium with some individuals of the Bullmastiff breed.
Due to its unusual sense of smell, the St. The Bloodhound has historically been used as a detector or tracking dog. Soon after its establishment, the breed was already used to search for and rescue pilgrims lost in the mountains and forests of the Ardennes. Bloodhounds have also been used for many years for hunting large game, especially wild boar or wild boar.
According to the official standard of the International Federation of Canine Science (FCI), hounds are classified in section 1.1 of group 6, which includes large hound-type dogs.
Characteristics of the Bloodhound or the San Hubert dog
The Bloodhound or Saint Hubertus is a large dog that stands out for its solid body, slightly longer than tall (oblong shape), with a wide, long, oval chest, strong legs, and well-developed muscles. They are considered to be the strongest of all hounds of the hound type, according to the official FCI standard.
Females can measure between 58 and 63 cm in length at the withers, while males can measure between 63 and 69 cm. The ideal body weight for the breed is about 41 and 50 kg, taking into account the dimensions of each individual. Despite its size and strength, the Saint Hubertus dog should not be fat or coarse, display harmonious lines, and be able to perform precise, graceful movements.
One of the most striking features of the Bloodhound is the thin and drooping skin that can be seen in the neck and head region, forming abundant wrinkles and folds. Its head, which shows a square shape with a slightly pronounced stop, maybe somewhat similar to that of a Basset Hound, but is noticeably larger and more imposing, although it should not be overly broad. The muzzle is wide and should be the length of the dog's skull, maintaining a uniform breadth throughout its length.
The slender, floppy ears of a Saint Hubertus dog are also very attractive, both in terms of their sheer size and terms of velvety texture, they appear to touch. Its insertion is very low, starting at or even lower than eye level, and extending almost to the base of the neck. Ultimately, a Bloodhound's eyes can give it a somewhat "sad" look due to its swollen lower eyelids, leaving part of the conjunctiva visible. However, sunken eyes and excessively swollen eyelids are undesirable, as they can harm the health of the animal.
The Bloodhound's coat consists of fine, short, and stiff hair, which becomes finer to the touch of the ears and on the head, and coarser and longer on the tail. Regarding coat color, three variations are accepted: solid red (or monochromatic), black and brown two-tone, and two-tone fire and liver. Although it is not a desirable characteristic, the presence of white hairs on the fingers, on the tip of the tail, and the front of the chest is legal.
Hound or Saint Hubert's dog character
Behind the "steel giant" appearance, the St. Hubertus dog reveals a friendly, docile, and somewhat calm personality. These furriers usually form a very special bond with their guardians, who are extremely loyal to them.
When properly socialized, they can also be very social with unknown people and animals, and they tend to be particularly gentle and patient with children. These dogs do not like to be alone, and if they spend many hours on their own, they can develop behavioral problems, such as destructiveness or separation anxiety. Therefore, it is not recommended for those who are looking for a more independent breed of dog.
Of course, the behavior of each dog is determined not only by its breed or pedigree but to a large extent depends on the education, environment, and care provided by its guardians. For this reason, if you want to have an obedient and balanced dog, you will need to provide him with optimal conditions for his physical and mental development, as well as invested in his education and early socialization.
How do you take care of the Bloodhound hound?
Being such a large and powerful dog, the Bloodhound needs space to develop and express themselves freely. Although due to their docile nature and loyalty to their guardian, they can adapt to different environments, the ideal is to have an open space of reasonable dimensions, such as a yard or garden, where your dog can run, jump, play, explore and explore the stimuli of your surroundings. This does not mean that the dog should live outside, on the contrary, but that it should have a space depending on its size.
Maintaining his coat is very simple and does not require much time on the part of the guardian: a weekly brushing will be more than enough to remove dead hair and prevent dirt from accumulating on his coat. Bathing is only possible when the dog is really dirty, trying not to shower more than once a week or every 15 days. The ideal is to perform a bath every two or three months. Excessive bathing removes the layer of fat that naturally covers and protects dogs' bodies, making them more susceptible to many diseases and skin problems.
However, it will be necessary to check their ears and folded or wrinkled skin regularly to avoid the concentration of moisture, impurities, and microorganisms that can lead to infection. We can clean these areas with gauze, for example, making sure they are always very dry.
Although the Bloodhound is not exactly a hyperactive dog, they do have a lot of energy and a willingness to train. Physical activity will be necessary to manage a healthy weight (essential given your tendency to be obese), to maintain stable and calm behavior, and to prevent symptoms of stress and behavioral problems. At a minimum, you will need to take your dog for walks two or three times a day, allowing him to walk for 30 to 45 minutes, trying to change his ways, and incorporating new activities and games into the traditional walk. In addition, you can consider the possibility of introducing him to agility or another canine sport.
Exercising his body is just as important as stimulating a bloodhound's mind and enriching his environment. Given their strong sense of smell, dog hunting or seeding can be an excellent activity to encourage your dog's cognitive development. But do not forget that training is the best and most complete exercise you can give your best friend, so we recommend that you read training tricks that every owner should know. In addition, you can suggest homemade intelligence toys to share fun time with your furs and stimulate their intelligence.
Last but not least, San Hubert dogs, like all animals, need complete and balanced nutrition to fully develop physically, emotionally, cognitively, and socially. There are several types of dog food that you can consider introducing to your best friend, ranging from their diet based on consuming balanced feeds to leaning towards the benefits of the BARF diet. But you will need to consult a veterinarian before deciding to check the most appropriate type of feed for your fur, taking into account its age, size, weight, and health status.
Bloodhound or San Hubert dog
Teaching a hunting dog should begin in its early stages, when it is still a puppy, although it is important to note that it is always possible to educate and train an adult dog. Puppy education begins with socialization, a stage that ranges from three weeks to three months of life. In this period, we must ensure that a Saint Hubertus puppy interacts with all kinds of people, animals, things, and environments, as well as ensuring that all interactions are positive. This will have a direct impact on the personality that it will have in adulthood, so if we want to have a well-balanced dog, it will be necessary to pay close attention to the socialization of Bloodhounds.
Also in the puppy stage, we will be teaching the Bloodhound to do its job in the newspaper and manage the bite properly so that it does not cause harm. Likewise, we will introduce you to the house rules, always in a positive way and without the use of punishment. Remember that these rules should be established with all family members, as everyone must follow the same to avoid confusing the dog.
Later, when we start the vaccination schedule, we will be able to take our hounds out onto the street and continue their socialization. At this time, you should also learn to comfort yourself on the street and we will give you the basic training commands necessary for correct communication with people and for encouraging positive and polite behavior.
Already into adulthood, we will continue to work on obedience commands to prevent him from forgetting them. We will incorporate more complex exercises to stimulate your mind and, in short, we will continue to work to maintain a stable and positive personality. For this we will always use positive reinforcement, rewarding the dog's behavior with food, caresses, and kind words. Remember that positive education favors learning and a relationship with the owner. Likewise, we will not use physical punishment in any way, as this can cause behavioral problems, such as aggression.
The health of the Bloodhound or St. Hubert's dog
Like all dog breeds, Saint Hubertus dogs may have a certain genetic predisposition to developing certain genetic and degenerative diseases. The most common conditions in these dogs are hip dysplasia and gastric torsion. But the following health problems can also eventually be diagnosed in the case of the Bloodhound:
Elbow dysplasia
Dry eyes (dry keratoconjunctivitis in dogs)
Third eyelid ptosis
entropion
shutter
pyoderma
In addition, the composition of the blood in dogs can also be affected by other diseases that are common in dogs and prone to obesity. Therefore, it is essential to provide the right preventative medicine to your close friend throughout his life. Remember to make visits to your vet every 6 months to check his health, respect his vaccination schedule, and deworm regularly with good quality products appropriate for his size, weight, and age.
With proper care and a lot of affection, the average life expectancy of Bloodhounds is between 10 and 12 years.
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