Bloodhound
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| Bloodhound | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Bloodhound |
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| Other names | Chien de Saint-Hubert St. Hubert Hound |
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| Country of origin | Belgium / France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A bloodhound (also known as the St. Hubert Hound) is a large breed of dog bred for the specific purpose of tracking human beings. Consequently, it is often used by authorities to track escaped prisoners or missing persons. It is a scenthound, famed for its ability to follow a scent hours or even days old, over long distances. Combining a keen sense of smell with a tenaciously strong tracking instinct, bloodhounds have proven their worth as the archetypal trailing dog.
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[edit] Health
[edit] Morbidity (Illness)
Compared to other purebred dogs, bloodhounds have an unusually high rate of gastrointestinal ailments, with gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV, or "bloat") being the most common type of gastrointestinal problem.[1] They also have an unusually high incidence of eye, skin, and ear ailments.[1] Eyes, ears, and skin should be inspected frequently for signs of developing problems. Owners should be especially aware of the signs of GDV, which is both the most common illness and the leading cause of death of bloodhounds.
[edit] Mortality (Longevity and Causes of Death)
Bloodhounds in a 2004 UK Kennel Club survey had a median longevity of 6.75 years,[1] which makes them one of the shortest-lived of dog breeds.[2] The oldest of the 82 deceased dogs in the UK survey died at 12.1 years. The leading cause of death was gastric dilatation volvulus (GDV = "bloat" or "torsion"), which killed 34% of dogs. This percentage of dogs dying of bloat is among the highest of all dog breeds and far higher than for dogs in general. The second leading cause of death in bloodhounds was cancer, at 27%. The percentage of cancer deaths is similar to other breeds but, in bloodhounds, cancer kills at an unusually young age (median of about 8 years).[1]
[edit] Gastric dilatation volvulus
Bloodhound owners should take special note of the extremely high incidence of GDV (Gastric dilatation volvulus) in this breed. Excess gas trapped in the dog's stomach causes "bloat." Twisting of the stomach (volvulus or "torsion") causes, or is caused by, excess gas. Symptoms include restlessness, inability to get comfortable, pacing, or retching without being able to bring up anything. The dog's abdomen may be visibly swollen but dogs can bloat or torsion without visible swelling. GDV is a dire emergency condition. If you suspect a dog is bloating, you should not wait to see if he improves. A dog with GDV requires immediate veterinary care. The dog's survival usually depends on whether the owner can get him to the vet in time. It is a good idea for a bloodhound owner to know the route to the nearest 24 hour emergency clinic in advance, so time is not wasted looking for directions.
[edit] History
The bloodhound was, according to legend, first bred ca. 1000 AD by monks at the St. Hubert Monastery in Belgium. Undoubtedly, its origins do reside in France, home of many of the modern hound breeds. Its excellent tracking skills were drawn on in breeding other scenthounds, such as the English Foxhound, American Foxhound, Coonhound, Swiss Jura Hound, Bavarian Mountain Hound, and many others.
During the late 19th century, bloodhounds were frequent subjects for artists such as Edwin Landseer and Briton Riviere. The dogs depicted are close in appearance to modern bloodhounds, indicating that the essential character of the bloodhound predates modern dog breeding. However, the dogs depicted by Landseer show less wrinkle and haw than modern dogs.[3]
[edit] Scenting ability
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The bloodhound's physical characteristics account for its superlative ability to follow a scent trail left several days in the past.[citation needed] Humans constantly shed skin cells, as newer cells replace older ones. Under optimal conditions, a bloodhound can detect as few as one or two skin cells.[citation needed] Odors are identified by scent receptors in a dog's nasal chambers; the larger the chambers, the greater the dog's ability to detect skin cells[citation needed]. The bloodhound's nasal chambers are larger than those of most other breeds.[citation needed] The large, long pendent ears serve to prevent wind from scattering nearby skin cells while the dog's nose is on the ground[citation needed]; the folds of wrinkled flesh under the lips and neck--called the shawl--serve to catch stray scent particles in the air or on a nearby branch as the bloodhound is scenting, reinforcing the scent in the dog's memory and nose.
The misconception persists that bloodhounds are employed in packs. While this is sometimes the case in England, in North America, bloodhounds are used as solitary trackers. Bloodhounds on a trail are usually silent, and do not give voice as other scent hounds.
[edit] Miscellaneous
[edit] Noteworthy Bloodhounds
A bloodhound named "Nick Carter" is frequently cited as the archetype of the trailing bloodhound. The extensive publicity this dog received may be the source of much bloodhound-related folklore. Born in 1900, "Nick Carter" was owned and handled by Captain G.V. Mullikin of Lexington, Kentucky. He is credited with more than 650 finds, including one that required him to follow a trail 105 hours old. [4].
Ch. Heathers Knock on Wood, known as "Knotty," is one of the most awarded bloodhounds of all time. He has received more Best-in-Shows than any other bloodhound, and is the first liver-and-tan bloodhound ever to win a Best in Show. Knotty was awarded the Best-in-Show at the Eukanuba Tournament in 2005, and won the Hound Group in the Westminster Kennel Club Show in that same year. Knotty's offspring have also proven to be able showdogs and as a result of a very high amount of his puppies being awarded the title of "Champion" by the AKC, Knotty was inducted into the AKC's Stud Dog Hall of Fame shortly before his death in the Spring of 2008.
[edit] Fictional Bloodhounds
- Pluto, pet of Mickey Mouse, from The Chain Gang
- Augie Doggie and Doggie Daddy
- Ol' Red, from the Blake Shelton song of the same name.
- Ladybird from King of the Hill
- Huckleberry Hound
- Copper from the film and novel The Fox and the Hound
- Beauguard in Pogo
- Snuffles in Quick Draw McGraw
- Trusty in Lady and the Tramp
- Napoleon from The Aristocats
- Duke, Jed's bloodhound from the Beverly Hillbillies
- Hubert from Best in Show
- Bobby Lee and others from Virginia Lanier's bloodhound series
- Buddy, in Cats and Dogs
- Bruno in Cinderella (1950 film)
- The Bumpuses' hounds in A Christmas Story
- McGruff the Crime Dog
- Jasper T. Jowls at Chuck E. Cheese's
- 2nd book in the Provost's Dog trilogy or Beka Cooper series by Tamora Pierce
- Toby from "The Great Mouse Detective"
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/570 Kennel Club/British Small Animal Veterinary Association Scientific Committee. 2004. Purebred Dog Health Survey. Retrieved July 5, 2007
- ^ http://users.pullman.com/lostriver/weight_and_lifespan.htm Dog Longevity Web Site, Weight and Longevity page. Compiled by K. M. Cassidy. Retrieved July 5, 2007
- ^ Reed & Brey, The Complete Bloodhound
- ^ Reed & Brey, The Complete Bloodhound
[edit] Additional Reading
- Fogle, Bruce (2000). The New Encyclopedia of the Dog. Dorling Kindersley (DK). ISBN 0-7894-6130-7.
- Reed, Lena and Brey, Catherine F. (1991). The New Complete Bloodhound. Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-077-1.
[edit] External links
- Canadian Bloodhound Club
- American Bloodhound Club
- The Bloodhound Club (UK)
- Search Dog Association
- french bloodhound
