Bloodhound

The Bloodhound is the dog breed with the best sense of smell. These incredible animals have approximately 230 million scent receptors - 40 times more than humans. To put this fact into perspective, it is estimated that the Bloodhound’s sense of smell is at least 1000 times better than humans. Given their incredible abilities, the Bloodhound today is primarily used for police-related work and is often included in search and rescue teams. These pups can follow a scent for miles on end.

Dogs with incredible senses of smell have been around for thousands of years. They were used in medieval times to hunt and track deer and wild boar. The origins of the Bloodhound that we know today are not entirely clear, however, they are believed to have been developed in Western Europe roughly a millennia ago.

The Bloodhound is found within households as a companion dog, but they are considered to be rare. They are highly affectionate dogs and are very loving, but they are not the easiest breed to take care of. They tend to be very stubborn and can be difficult to train. They require a firm owner that can train them consistently in order for them to behave well at home. These are also large dogs, weighing between 80-110 pounds, so them being well-trained is an absolute necessity. They also need to be monitored closely when they are off-leash as these pups will follow any scents that it picks up on, completely oblivious to their surroundings.

If your Bloodhound is properly trained they will make a great companion. They are highly energetic, so they are certainly better suited for a more active owner. They will need plenty of exercise daily for them to feel their best. Since these are pack dogs, they do great in the presence of other dogs, and bringing them to the dog park is a great way to allow them to burn off their energy. If you are ready to put up with a little bit of drool around the house, the Bloodhound will make a great friend that will surprise you day after day with their unbelievable capabilities.

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