The bloodhound is a large scent hound, originally bred for hunting deer, wild boar, rabbits, and since the Middle Ages, for tracking people. Believed to be descended from hounds once kept at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert, Belgium, in French it is called le chien de Saint-Hubert.
Originally developed in the forested and rural regions of Europe, particularly Belgium.
The Bloodhound is renowned for its extraordinary sense of smell and its ability to track scents over long distances, making it invaluable in search and rescue operations. They are gentle and affectionate family dogs, but their strong tracking instinct can lead them to wander if not properly contained.
A Bloodhound puppy
English Bloodhound, 1563
Bloodhounds used to find deer, 1826
Ancestor of pedigree Bloodhounds, 1902
Bloodhounds, circa 1915
Police dogs with the French police
Bloodhound trial in the UK. Hound and handler approach their quarry (the photographer), with judges following behind.
The Coakham pack of Bloodhounds starting a human trail in England
Trainability
Responsiveness to training: —/5