Origin
Bloodhounds have extraordinary sense of smell and are great trackers. Extremely efficient at pursuing scents often leading them to their quarry hundreds of miles away. This breed has its traces from about 600 BC and is believed to be descendent of St Hubert Hound.
Trait
The Bloodhound has an amazing sense of smell. A purebred can detect, identify and process the scent emitted by just one or two cells. The construction of the nasal chambers of a Bloodhound’s nose is distinctive with unique placement of the olfactory receptor cells. A typical Bloodhound has close to 4 billion receptor cells that aid in mapping a pattern. A human being has just a 100 million. Researchers believe, the folds around its neck and the wrinkled flesh under its lips, help in holding the surrounding air, while the nose is busy scenting. They also believe his functional drooping ears help to trap, hold and absorb the surrounding air. This helps the nose to lock on to the scent, identify chemical odours, and map solitary patterns.
Temperament
Dogs are good friends to human beings. Bloodhound definitely is one of the best suited to be a pet dog. Many agencies around the world prefer a Bloodhound to track criminals and assist in various investigations. They also realize it takes time to train a bloodhound. Though an ideal family pet, like with all other pet dogs, someone should watch a Bloodhound, when he is around small kids.
Bloodhound the tracker
Lifespan
A dog’s life span varies widely. Dogs of different breed’s median life span are between ten to 13 years. A study of the Bloodhound life span pegged it at about eight years. With the help of proper diet and good exercise a Bloodhound’s median life span of eight years can be maximized further. A good trainer who can design proper training routines can help the Bloodhound live longer.
Breed
A genteel breed, the Bloodhound is quite affectionate towards its owner. Bloodhound loves his ‘trainer’. Bloodhound, the best known tracking dog may be difficult to handle on a leash. His lively nature helps in beginning the training at a tender age of three months. Some trainers wait until he is eighteen months. Lavish praise subsequent to a given task usually after a successful tracking makes him extremely happy.
Words 386
Image courtesy: http://www.freeimages.com/profile/mkkw