If you simply can’t resist the hang-dog look of the Bloodhound, you’re probably wondering how much one of these wrinkly sweethearts costs.
The Bloodhound average price can be expensive, at anywhere from $1,400 to $5,500 or more.
Of course, this is the purebred Bloodhound price from a breeder.
The Bloodhound dog price for a rescue runs anywhere from $300 to $450, depending on the rescue.
If you’d like to adopt from your local shelter, the price of a Bloodhound is significantly less, at around $150.
Let’s learn a bit more about this breed’s temperament and other aspects of owning a Bloodhound before making a concrete decision to buy.
The Bloodhound, Up Close
As you may already know, Bloodhounds have a crazy-good sense of smell.
Medieval hunters harnessed this skill to use Bloodhounds as “limers,” or dogs they used to help them find deer or boars before pack hounds could get to them.
Bloodhounds have the unique ability to follow a “cold scent,” or the scent of a dead body.
Hunters were able to use this to find food that other pack hounds might have missed.
So, what does this mean for you? Well, if you love hunting, then you’ve got an excellent companion in the Bloodhound.
A breed’s history is usually just as prevalent today as it was back in the day, and this fact remains true for the Bloodhound.
Bloodhound Temperament and Personality
Here are some aspects of the Bloodhound’s temperament and personality that can really make a difference in your decision to purchase.
He’s Fantastic with Children
If you have young children, then the Bloodhound makes for a terrific family dog.
He has such an even temper that he has no problem letting kids climb all over him.
Just make sure the kids don’t hurt him – that make for a terrible “thank you” for his high tolerance.
And no matter how calm any breed is, if your child is under the age of six years old, always supervise him around the dog.
He’s Friendly
Bloodhounds are such friendly dogs that they often feel love at first sight with every person they meet.
Because of this, you definitely don’t want to get a Bloodhound if it’s a guard dog you’re looking for.
As a watch dog, on the other hand, the Bloodhound does a great job. He will alert you the moment he senses something is off.
He’s Adaptable
You may think the Bloodhound is a poor choice for a smaller living space, like an apartment, but actually the opposite is true.
So long as you give him his daily walk, he’s perfectly happy with any living arrangement.
(Just make sure you keep him on a leash. As a scent hound, you don’t want him taking off after a good whiff of prey!)
To keep his mental agility sharp, you can also throw him a tracking job every once in a while.
Even a game of hide-and-seek is great fun for him.
Just make sure you have a secure fence around your property.
Bloodhounds are diggers by nature, so he will dig a hole underneath the fence if he senses the opportunity exists.
Otherwise, he’s perfectly happy to lounge around the house with you.
He’s Great with Other Dogs
If you’re worried about dog-on-dog aggression with the Bloodhound, you don’t need to be.
He doesn’t mind other dogs and very rarely shows his dominance – even when he is actually the dominant dog in the room.
He’s Quite Adept at Hunting
This one kind of goes without saying, but there are two cool things you should know about the Bloodhound’s keen hunting ability.
For one thing, his oversized ears keep the wind from blowing away the scent he’s tracking – how cool is that?
For another, the Bloodhound’s sense of smell is four times stronger than that of other breeds – and over 300 times stronger than a human’s sense of smell!
Bloodhound Size
The average full-grown Bloodhound height is between 23 and 26 inches tall.
Their average weight falls between 80 and 110 lbs.
He may not look that big from the pictures you’ve seen of him online, so you may feel surprised to learn how big a Bloodhound actually is.
And, of course, you can never predict how big he will get simply by looking at him as a puppy.
If the Bloodhound’s height and weight sounds like too much dog for you, then perhaps you may want to look for a smaller breed.
Bloodhound Price – How Much Do Bloodhounds Cost?
As mentioned earlier, the Bloodhound price range is a wide one, ranging from $1,400 to over $5,000 and beyond.
This is, of course, if you buy from a Bloodhound breeder.
You can save a few dollars off the sticker price by adopting or rescuing a Bloodhound from your local shelter or rescue organization.
Plus, there’s the added bonus of feeling all warm inside that you did a good deed for a dog who needed your help.
Demand
People seem to appreciate the Bloodhound’s hunting skills and companionship, as he ranks 49th in the AKC’s overall 195 recognized breeds.
This may explain his extensive price range. While the breed is not overly popular, they’re popular enough to warrant a supply and demand issue.
Ironically, the breed suffered a bit in 2003 with only 51 Bloodhounds in the country.
The breed seems to have bounced back a bit since then, though.
Bloodhound Rescue and Adoption
In addition to saving some money, you may want to look into adopting or rescuing a Bloodhound who needs a good home.
This Bloodhound Rescue page can help you find a dog available for rescuing in your local area.
Rescue dogs range from $300 to $500, depending on the organization.
This cost is typically tax-deductible and goes toward helping the organization help more dogs.
You can also check your local shelter, but their stock may fluctuate wildly. It all depends on which dogs they happen to have that day.
You can always call ahead, though, or put your name on a list for when one comes in.
Shelter adoptions generally run about $150 to cover shots and neutering costs.
Bloodhound Cost of Ownership
Of course, there’s more to owning a dog than simply paying the Bloodhound puppy price and bringing him home.
Will you be able to afford his food every week or every month? Do you have a plan in place for emergency vet care?
What if you need help with training or grooming?
Here are some additional costs to consider when budgeting whether you can afford to house a Bloodhound for the next 10 years or so.
Cost of Food
Food for a 100-lb. dog runs around $35 to $50 a month.
Of course, this all depends on the brand and size of the bag you buy.
Check with your pet’s vet for guidance on what to feed him, and how much.
Health Care Expenses
Known health conditions for the Bloodhound are, thankfully, mostly mild and manageable.
Conditions to watch out for with the Bloodhound include:
- Obesity
- Ear infections
- Skin problems
- Droopy eyes
Obesity is easy enough to prevent – simply feed your dog a proper, vet-recommended diet.
With droopy-eared dogs like the Bloodhound, you really have to keep their ears clean to prevent infections from forming.
The same goes for droopy eyes, which the Bloodhound also has.
And, of course, it’s always good to have a rainy-day fund…just in case.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
While the Bloodhound is generally easy-going, you may end up with a stubborn little guy.
Most Hounds know they must act determined and feel independent when on the hunt.
The problem is, that doesn’t necessarily translate well to attempts to train him.
You must remain calm, consistent, and persistent. He needs to know you are his leader – not the other way around.
If you feel like you’re just not getting through to him, then you may need to pay for a professional trainer to help you guys out.
There are several training programs out there. You just need to find the one that works the best for you and your pupper.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Grooming Costs
For the most part, grooming your Bloodhound should be a relatively uneventful event.
They only shed about once or twice a year, so you need to brush him weekly during these times to keep his coat clean and prevent skin issues.
Bathe him regularly – typically when you can smell him.
As mentioned before, you want to pay special attention to his ears and eyes.
Because both droop, there are plenty of folds and crevices that can harbor moisture, dirt, and bacteria. These things can lead to nasty infections.
If you don’t feel confident that you’ll be able to keep up with these things on your own, then you’ll need to hire a groomer to help out.
Whether you opt for a mobile groomer who comes to your house, or you take your dog to the groomer, your Bloodhound needs proper external care to stay healthy.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
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