Bloodhound dogs have very friendly natures, which is somewhat at odds with their image associated with being acutely able to track a man's scent, and baying when they find it.

Indeed, when bloodhounds are taught obedience training, positive reinforcement is needed. Otherwise, they may be emotionally scarred by the experience. And being very stubborn dogs, it can be frustrating for inexperienced dog owners to try and train them. It requires a lot of patience and understanding to teach your dog to obey commands. In such a case, it would be better to go to a professional dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement.

Bloodhound dogs are also friendly with strangers. Once they find the scent of someone, they definitely don't try to harm them. Quite the opposite, actually! As such, these dogs don't make good guard dogs. But in the case of putting people off entering a property, sometimes the sounds a dog makes will be enough.

Bloodhound dogs are great for families. But they have a lot of energy, and so need a big backyard to run around in. Your bloodhound will still need to be taken on long walks though. But these dogs are definitely not apartment dogs. And small backyards won't really suit them either.

Bloodhound dogs have long, drooping ears, and wrinkled faces that can appear glum. They are 23 to 27 inches tall usually, and weigh from 80 to 110 pounds. And they are big eaters. So this needs to be factored into the family budget. Especially given that bloodhounds are prone to hip dysplasia and stomach problems, and may best be suited to a special veterinary diet.

Bloodhound coats are short, with fairly coarse hair. Colors range from black and tan, red, to tan and blood red. They don't need to have their coats brushed often, but they do need to have their wrinkles cleaned. This will prevent bacterial growth and subsequent odors coming from there. Bloodhounds may also develop ear infections, and eyelid problems.

The biggest drawback with the bloodhound dog is the slobbering!! Because of their droopy lips, they tend to slobber more than most dogs. But their gorgeous personality makes them lovely companions and ideal family dogs, if you have the yard for them.