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Bloodhound Facts & Worksheets

Friendly, independent, and inquisitive, bloodhounds are large scent hounds that were initially bred to hunt deer and wild boar and also to track people.

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Friendly, independent, and inquisitive, bloodhounds are large scent hounds that were initially bred to hunt deer and wild boar and also to track people. Also known as “Sleuth Hounds”, they are active breeds which use their keen sense of smell for search and rescue operations.

See the fact file below for more information on the bloodhounds or alternatively, you can download our 19-page Bloodhound worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY

  • Throughout most of its history, this breed was viewed as a dog of English or Anglo-Scottish roots, either of unknown ancestry or as developed from the St. Hubert hounds.
  • Bloodhounds are dogs that hunt using their sense of smell. Documents of dogs that “discover and trace out the tracks of the animal” date back as far as 1000 AD. In medieval Europe, these dogs were bred into the scent hounds we know today as bloodhounds.
  • The breed was initially mentioned in a poem by the Earl of Hereford, Sir Humphrey de Bohun, titled “William of Palerne” (1350). It featured a dog, called a bloodhound, as a cautious hunter who is on the trail of a couple disguised as bears.
  • From that poem, people concluded that the name bloodhound was a recognizable word in the English language. The name is derived from the breed’s aristocratic status kept by noblemen and abbots. It was a “blooded” hound.
  • Some believe these early scent hounds were the descendants of the St. Hubert hounds. Francis Hubert was a dedicated hunter who bred dogs capable of following old or cold trails. He became a monk after the death of his wife, and he was later canonized and became the patron saint of hunters.
  • After St. Hubert’s death, his scent hounds were taken to England by William the Conqueror when he invaded in 1066. These dogs were highly prized presents among royalty. Elizabeth I, a well-known huntress, kept packs of St. Hubert hounds.
  • It was during the French Revolution when these dogs slowly faded in number. Fortunately, they were still prized in England. They were not only used for hunting, but also for tracking down wrongdoers.
  • The first ever written record of these dogs chasing down thieves and poachers was in 1805, although stories of their use for that purpose date back as far as the 16th century.
  • Bloodhounds also gained the public’s attention during three Victorian period trends: (1) the upsurge of dog shows, (2) the new status of dogs as companions, and (3) the public’s affection for anything unusual.
  • Modern bloodhounds were developed in England, but these dogs were imported to America during the colonial times. Benjamin Franklin mentioned in a letter his interest in keeping some bloodhounds to track down Indians that wander around to steal or kill.
  • Their number decreased during the Civil War, when they were depicted as vicious beasts in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin.
  • Interest in them diminished until 1888 when three bloodhounds competed in the Westminster Kennel Club show.
  • Modern bloodhounds are employed by law enforcement agencies as a tracker or for search and rescue operations.

APPEARANCE

  • Male bloodhounds are generally larger than females, standing roughly 25 to 27 inches tall and weighing around 90 to 110 pounds. Females, on the other hand, are 23 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 80 to 100 pounds.
  • These breeds are known for their extremely loose skin, which is highly noticeable in the head and neck areas, where it hangs in deep folds.
  • The head is narrow and seems long in proportion to its body. The neck is long, with muscular and well-sloped shoulders. Their nostril openings are large, and their lips fall squarely, creating a right angle with the upper line of the foreface.
  • Their legs are straight and large, with squarely set elbows, muscular thighs, and well-bent hocks.
  • Acceptable colors for bloodhounds include black, liver, tan, and red.
  • Their coats are hard and composed of fur alone, without admixture of hair.

TEMPERAMENT

  • The bloodhound is a study in contradictions. He is obedient yet stubborn, persistent but not aggressive, sweet but somewhat wary with strangers.
  • During training, bloodhounds are sensitive to kindness or correction, but they still wants to do things their way.
  • They can recognize the smallest hint of a trail. However, they don’t make good watchdogs or guard dogs, given their love for people.
  • Some bloodhounds are vocal and tend to bark a lot when they are excited. Others are gentle and remain quiet.

HEALTH AND CARE

  • Hip Dysplasia. An inherited condition in which the thigh bone does not fit into the hip joint. Dogs affected with this abnormality show pain and lameness on one or both hind legs.
  • Elbow Dysplasia. Another inherited condition caused by different growth rates of the three bones found in large breeds’ elbows, causing joint laxity and resulting in painful lameness.
  • Hypothyroidism. Caused by a defect of the thyroid hormone, which may result in infertility, obesity, mental dullness, and lack of energy. A dog’s fur may turn coarse and brittle and start to fall out, while the skin becomes tough and dark.
  • Ectropion. The rolling out or sagging of the eyelid, causing the eye to be exposed to irritation and infection.
  • Entropion. Can be observed when dogs turn six months old. This abnormality causes the eyelid to roll inward, irritating or injuring the eyeball.
  • Epilepsy. A seizure disorder, epilepsies are inherited, acquired, or of unknown cause.
  • Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat). Known as bloat, this is a life-threatening condition that plagues large, deep-chested dogs. This happens when the stomach is filled with gas or air and then twists, which does not allow the dog to vomit to get rid of the excess air, thus the blood flow to the heart is interrupted.
  • Fold Dermatitis. A skin infection caused by friction or trapped moisture within the folds of the skin. Symptoms may include redness, sores, and odor, usually found on the tail, face, lips, vulvar folds, and any fold on the body.
  • Bloodhounds are both indoor and outdoor dogs that should have frequent interaction with people. It is best to keep them in homes with large-fenced yards.
  • They need long daily walks and are capable of going for miles. They make good hiking and jogging buddies.

Bloodhound Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the bloodhound across 19 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Bloodhound worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the bloodhounds which are large scent hounds that were initially bred to hunt deer and wild boar and also to track people. Also known as “Sleuth Hounds”, they are active breeds which use their keen sense of smell for search and rescue operations.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Bloodhound Facts
  • Inquisitive Bloodhounds
  • Breed Standards
  • Fetch Some Facts
  • Growing Up a Bloodhound
  • Ask a Bloodhound
  • Hound vs Hound
  • Other Hounds
  • Taking Care of a Wrinkle Hound
  • Burgo, Barnaby, and Jack the Ripper
  • Adopting a Bloodhound

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Link will appear as Bloodhound Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, April 4, 2020

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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