Bloodhound
The world's greatest nose — follow-that-scent obsession requires a very patient owner.
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Training tips for a Bloodhound
Practical, breed-specific advice tuned to a Bloodhound's temperament, energy and trainability.
House-Training Patience
Establish a strict toilet schedule with short leash walks to the same spot, and interrupt accidents with a firm verbal marker before redirecting outside. Bloodhounds are slow to mature, so expect six months of consistent routine before reliability kicks in.
Early Scent-Proofing Socialisation
Expose your Bloodhound to crowds, traffic, and other dogs while they're young, but keep sessions short—their nose will pull focus constantly. Use a well-fitted harness and practise gentle leash pressure to teach that pulling toward every scent doesn't earn forward movement.
Exercise Plus Nose Work
Provide daily moderate walks plus structured scent games like hide-and-seek with treats or tracking exercises in safe, fenced areas. Let them use their nose purposefully rather than fighting their natural drive—it satisfies them mentally and tires them faster than aimless roaming.
Managing Stubborn Independence
When your Bloodhound ignores a cue, calmly use leash guidance or gentle physical prompting to complete the behaviour, then reward compliance. Waiting for voluntary cooperation rarely works—this breed needs clear, fair consequences paired with motivation to overcome their selective hearing.
Calm, Persistent Leadership
Train with patient repetition and matter-of-fact consistency rather than emotion or force. Bloodhounds respond to handlers who set boundaries without nagging, reward effort generously, and accept that progress will be slower than with biddable breeds.
Training guides for a Bloodhound
Expert-written guides picked for a Bloodhound's temperament and needs.
How dogs actually learn: the four quadrants explained
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, and everything in between — a clear, honest look at operant conditioning and when each tool is the right call.
Separation anxiety: a realistic rehab plan
Barking, destruction and toileting when you leave? Here's how to tell true separation anxiety from boredom — and how to actually fix it.
Lead reactivity: calming the lunging and barking
The lunging, barking dog on-lead is usually frightened, not 'dominant'. Here's how to lower the emotion and change the response.
Health & nutrition for a Bloodhound
What to watch for, how to feed, and how to keep a Bloodhound in top shape — tuned to this breed's size and build.
Common health concerns
- •Bloodhounds are highly prone to gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), a life-threatening stomach twist that requires immediate veterinary attention and is often linked to feeding practices.
- •Hip and elbow dysplasia are common in this large breed, so monitor for limping, stiffness, or reluctance to exercise, especially as they mature.
- •Their droopy skin and long ears create ideal environments for skin fold dermatitis and chronic ear infections, requiring regular cleaning and inspection.
- •Ectropion and entropion (eyelid abnormalities) frequently affect Bloodhounds, causing irritation and potential corneal damage if left untreated.
Feeding & nutrition
- •Feed a biologically-appropriate raw diet with 2-3% of body weight daily (roughly 1.6-2.2kg for an 80-110lb Bloodhound), split into two meals to reduce bloat risk, focusing on raw muscle meat (kangaroo, beef, lamb), meaty bones (chicken frames, turkey necks), and 10% organ meat (liver, kidney).
- •Raw feeding supports joint health through natural glucosamine from cartilage and bones, crucial for a breed prone to hip dysplasia, while avoiding the inflammatory grain fillers found in most kibble.
- •Always feed raw meals at floor level and enforce a 30-60 minute rest period after eating to minimize bloat risk in this deep-chested breed.
- •If raw feeding isn't possible, choose a high-quality, grain-free kibble as a second-best option, but expect fewer anti-inflammatory benefits and potentially higher bloat risk from rapid kibble expansion in the stomach.
Exercise & weight
- •Provide 60-90 minutes of daily exercise, emphasizing long, exploratory walks that allow their scenting instincts to engage naturally rather than intense running.
- •Always use a secure leash and harness during walks, as their legendary nose can trigger sudden pursuit of a scent trail, overriding all obedience training.
- •Avoid vigorous exercise immediately before or after meals to reduce bloat risk, and limit high-impact activities during the first 18 months while joints are still developing.
- •Incorporate scent-work games and tracking activities to provide mental stimulation, as boredom in this intelligent breed can lead to destructive behavior and weight gain.
Educational guidance only — not veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed vet for your dog's specific health needs.
Ready to meet a Bloodhound?
Search animal shelters and rescues across Australia — and consider bringing a certified trainer to your first meet-and-greet.