Apartment fit
Bloodhounds are hard to keep in apartments because of size, scent drive, drool, voice, and cleanup. A secure outdoor area and easy washing setup help a lot.
HoundLarge
Belgium
BelgiumBloodhound
Weight
80-110 lb
Height
23-27 in
Lifespan
10-12 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Bloodhound is a large scent hound famous for mantrailing ability, loose skin, long ears, deep voice, drool, and determined nose work.
Legendary scent hound used for mantrailingLong ears, loose skin, and heavy droolIndependent nose work requires leash and fence managementNeeds ear, fold, and bloat-risk care
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Chien De Saint HubertSt. Hubert HoundSaint Hubert Hound
FriendlyIndependentInquisitiveDeterminedSociable
Weight
80-110 lb
Height
23-27 in
Lifespan
10-12 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Moderate
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
High
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
3/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Bloodhound, also known as the St. Hubert Hound, is one of the world's classic scent hounds. It was developed for tracking people and game by scent, and modern Bloodhounds are still used in mantrailing and search work because of their persistence and powerful nose.
At home, Bloodhounds are often affectionate, gentle, and comical, but they are not easy dogs. They are strong, slobbery, independent on scent, and capable of following a trail with little interest in the owner's agenda. Secure fencing and leash control are essential.
Health and daily care deserve honest planning. Bloodhounds need ear and skin-fold care, drool cleanup, weight control, and attention to bloat risk. Their short coat is simple, but the dog as a whole is not low-maintenance.
Temperament & Personality
FriendlyIndependentInquisitiveDeterminedSociable
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a friendly, independent, inquisitive companion, with daily rhythms shaped by moderate energy, moderate barking, and high drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Black and Tan, Liver and Tan, Red
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs3/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs3/5
Grooming Needs3/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A breed chosen for specific lifestyle fit
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 3/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- hound owners who enjoy tracking and scent work
- homes with secure fencing and drool tolerance
- people prepared for ear and skin-fold care
- families who can supervise a large, strong dog
Not ideal for
- small apartments
- owners who need a clean, low-drool dog
- people expecting reliable off-leash control around scent
- homes that cannot manage bloat-risk planning
Common challenges
- powerful pulling on scent
- drool and hound odor
- ear and skin-fold care
- bloat risk in a deep-chested dog
Barking & behavior
Expect hound vocalization and intense interest in scent trails. Do not rely on off-leash obedience around an active trail.
Training style
Use patient reward-based training and make scent work part of the plan. Leash skills, handling, recall foundations, and calm house behavior should start early.
Grooming & shedding
Brush the short coat, but spend more attention on ears, facial folds, eyes, nails, and drool cleanup.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most healthy adult Bloodhounds need at least 45 to 60 minutes of daily activity, but scent work is often more satisfying than speed. Use long sniffing walks, tracking games, and secure areas.
Grooming
The short coat is easy to brush, but ears, skin folds, eyes, nails, and drool need routine care. Clean and dry ears and facial folds to reduce irritation and odor.
Training
Bloodhound training should focus on leash manners, recall foundations, handling, calm house behavior, and safe scent outlets. A Bloodhound on a trail may ignore weak commands, so management matters.
Nutrition
Feed a measured large-breed diet and keep the dog lean. Discuss bloat prevention, meal timing, and body condition with your veterinarian.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Moderate
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
High
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
2/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Bloat riskHip dysplasiaElbow dysplasiaEar infectionsEye problems
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bloodhound a good apartment dog?
Usually no. A Bloodhound's size, drool, voice, scent drive, and need for secure exercise make apartment life difficult for most owners.
Does the Bloodhound bark a lot?
Bloodhounds can be vocal, with a deep bay rather than a small-dog bark. They may use their voice when excited, frustrated, or following scent.
Is the Bloodhound good for first-time owners?
Usually it is better for experienced hound owners. A first-time owner should be ready for strength, drool, scent drive, bloat awareness, and slow, patient training.
How much exercise does the Bloodhound need?
Most healthy adults need at least 45 to 60 minutes daily, with sniffing or tracking built in. Nose work tires a Bloodhound more honestly than rushed pavement walking.
Is the Bloodhound good with kids and other dogs?
Bloodhounds are often gentle, but their size, drool, and enthusiasm can overwhelm small children. Dog sociability varies, so introductions should be supervised.
Does the Bloodhound shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately, but the bigger care issue is ears, skin folds, eyes, and drool. Routine cleaning is part of owning the breed.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Bloodhound?
The biggest challenge is managing an independent scent hound safely. Leashes, fences, ear care, drool cleanup, and bloat awareness are all part of the routine.
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