Last Updated on December, 2024
Want to make a Bloodhound your canine companion?
Excellent choice, these are truly great dogs and as for the cost, they’re on the affordable end of the spectrum with relatively low maintenance.
That said, keep on reading till the very last word to find out the cost of a bloodhound and the additional costs you have to bear when raising a bloodhound, as I have perfectly explained everything regarding the expenses.
We have solutions, whether you’re just interested or want to take one home.
Here’s a sneak peek of what you seek,
The cost of a bloodhound falls into the average range. However, owning a Bloodhound comes with many additional costs that you should take into account.
I can guarantee this piece will enable you to assess your financial capacity for ownership and make an informed decision.
Quick Summary
The average cost of a Bloodhound ranges from $450 to $1200 for adults and $450 to $5000 for puppies, depending on pedigree and training.
The cost depends on factors such as age, gender, bloodline, lineage, breeding method, and the overall quality of the dog.
Proper training and socialization are important for Bloodhounds, and owners can expect to spend around $500 for group classes or $175 per hour for private lessons.
Table of Contents
The Average Cost of a Bloodhound
Few canine breeds are as instantly recognized as the Bloodhound on this globe.
These canines are pretty adorable with their hangdog faces and droopy ears, and given how powerful their noses are, they’re incredibly handy as well.
Owning a Bloodhound can be immensely satisfying, at least on an emotional level.
Before bringing one of these dogs home, consider whether you can genuinely afford one, as their cost range is a bit higher, and it could be a financial strain.
Bloodhound
An adult bloodhound typically costs between $450 to $1200. However, the average price of a Bloodhound from a reputable, high-quality breeder will be around $700.
Bloodhound Puppy
Price ranges from $450 to $1,200 for Bloodhound puppies. Even so, prices may increase if you seek bloodhound puppies with a distinguished lineage and thorough track training.
The price of the dog also depends on additional elements like age and general quality.
Any reputable breeder selling Bloodhound puppies with an exceptional pedigree and illustrious lineage will often list them for $5,000.
The same price range applies to Bloodhound puppies produced by successful show dogs.
About the Breed!
The Bloodhound is a sizable scent hound that was created initially for deer and wild boar hunting as well as, starting in the middle ages, for human tracking.
This breed is well known for its capacity to detect human scent across large distances and even days afterward.
Police and law enforcement use bloodhounds to find escaped inmates, missing individuals, and lost animals (Pets) because of their exceptionally great sense of smell and robust and tenacious tracking instinct.
Size & Appearance
You might be shocked to find how big a bloodhound actually is because these dogs do not appear to be enormous in the photographs you’ve seen of it.
The height of a full-grown Bloodhound ranges from 23 to 27 inches. And they weigh between 80 to 110 pounds on average. And, of course, merely by looking at a bloodhound puppy, you can never tell how big it will grow.
Bloodhounds are indeed large dogs compared to other breeds.
It features wrinkles, particularly on the face, and it also has long drooping ears. Bloodhound has a dignified, somber appearance due to their jowls and sunken eyes.
There are three possible color combinations for short, stiff coats; black and tan, liver and tan, or red. Some black and tan bloodhounds have mostly black coats with a few tan spots on their faces and legs.
Life Span
Like most other large breed dogs, the Bloodhound’s lifespan is around 10 years to 12 years.
Bloodhound Temperament & Personality
The Bloodhound is a kind, honorable, patient, and subdued creature. It is noted for being very patient with young children who clamber all over it.
Additionally, the dog generally gets along with other companion pets nicely.
However, there are strong currents of tenacity and independence hidden beneath this polite exterior.
A bloodhound has an independent mentality and prefers to act on its own rather than following instructions from its owner.
This propensity is especially present if the dog has picked up an intriguing scent; in such case, it will be steadfast in its will to pursue the trail as far as it will take.
The Bloodhound is one of the canine breeds with the highest musicality. The expressive howling, whimpering, and baying of dogs can be heard throughout entire canine arias. This is one of the most gratifying traits a dog may possess.
Due to their extreme friendliness, bloodhounds frequently experience love at first sight while meeting new people. As a result, if you’re looking for a guard dog, you definitely should avoid getting a Bloodhound.
On the other hand, Bloodhound isn’t a reliable watch dog either.
Bloodhounds are content in any kind of residence as long as you give it your daily walk. You can occasionally give it a tracking assignment to keep your Bloodhound’s mental agility strong. Dog walking can definitely have an effect on your daily dose of work as well.
Make sure your property is surrounded by a sturdy fence when your dog is out, and also make sure to keep it on a leash as it is a scent hound; you don’t want to make your Bloodhound flee as soon as it gets a good sniff of the prey.
Two interesting facts regarding the Bloodhound’s adept hunting prowess should be known, albeit this one goes without saying. One benefit of having large ears is that they prevent wind from sweeping the scent it is pursuing away.
Additionally, the Bloodhound has a sense of smell that is almost thousand times better than a human being, outperforming other breeds by a factor of four! (1)
Bloodhound Health Issues
Bloodhounds experience an abnormally high proportion of gastrointestinal disorders compared to other purebred dogs, with gastric dilatation-volvulus being the most prevalent form.
Additionally, the breed suffers from extreme ear, skin, and eye diseases; as a result, these regions should be regularly checked for early warning indications of issues.
Bloat is a frequent problem for large dog breeds like Bloodhounds. To reduce the likelihood of your Bloodhound having bloat, avoid overfeeding.
Your Bloodhound may exhibit symptoms of bloat, such as an enlarged tummy, restlessness, and heaving without any discharge. Because this condition can be lethal if left untreated, call your veterinarian straight away.
Due to dogs’ tendency to eat more slowly when not overly hungry, dogs who are fed twice a day have a lesser risk of developing bloat.
When a dog is only fed once a day, it will be eager to see the food and will try to eat it as quickly as it can, which leads to it gulping more air with its food.
Feed your dog when it’s calm, as enthusiastic canines have a tendency to swallow more air, which can raise the risk of developing bloat.
The likelihood of hip and elbow dysplasia in the dog is increased by its size. This breed is also known to be susceptible to cancer and knee issues.
Heart problems are also more common in bloodhounds. Pay particular attention if your dog is coughing, fainting, or quickly fatigued, as these could be symptoms of heart problems.
Training and Exercise
It’s essential to start obedience training early with a Bloodhound because they have a tendency to develop lifelong habits. It’s better if the habits they adopt are the ones their owner wants them to have.
Because bloodhounds like to be in command, their owners must be firm yet kind. Positive reinforcement in the form of treats and praise is frequently helpful during training.
The Bloodhound takes patience, consistency, and expertise during training because it is affectionate and dedicated but also independent and stubborn.
This attractive dog needs daily dog walking in sufficient amounts to maintain physical health. The importance of mental stimulation is equal. Activities that involve scent tracking can assist in cognitively stimulating your Bloodhound.
Make sure you play games with your bloodhound puppy, especially scent-following-related activities; those will appeal to the scent hound.
You can play a variety of activities with your Bloodhound to challenge its wits and strengthen your relationship with the dog simultaneously.
Introduce your puppy to individuals of various ages, as well as men, women, and children. Go on rides to various locations, such as the park or a busy street.
Your bloodhound puppy will grow up more stable and self-assured the more diverse experiences you give it. Just be careful not to overdo it; introduce the dog to new environments gradually.
The key is to keep the dog calm and confident, and your own enthusiasm can be quite beneficial. When the dog owner is at ease and comfortable, the dog will pick up on that feeling and behave in a similar manner.
Bloodhound Cost and the Methods of Purchasing a Bloodhound
According to a list presented by the American kennel club (AKC) of all 195 approved breeds, the Bloodhound comes in at 49, which reflects that dog owners value their hunting prowess and companionship.
This could account for Bloodhound’s wide pricing range. The breed is well-liked which causes a supply and demand issue.
Here are some of the ways that you can get your desired Bloodhound,
Adopting From Rescue Groups
Depending on where you live, it may be possible to find a purebred bloodhound at bloodhound shelters or rescue organizations, basically an adoption center.
The adoption fees that are charged at these locations will vary, and the bloodhound puppy’s price is typically more expensive than senior dogs.
Since bloodhounds are not the most excellent companion to deal with, they are scarce to be found. Because of this, it’s unusual to find them in a shelter, but you might be able to get one from a breed-specific rescue organization.
Facts to consider; The parents of these puppies generally haven’t been examined. As a result, they might be more susceptible to genetic issues.
Having said that, they do have to get the required medical attention and immunizations when they are being rescued.
If you are to budget, it’s best if you could budget between $200- $300 for bloodhound puppies. A large portion of this is to assist the rescue in paying the puppy’s medical expenses.
Buying From Bloodhound Breeders
The fastest and the safest way to find the ideal Bloodhound is through a professional breeder, albeit they are frequently the priciest sites to purchase puppies.
Nonetheless, they are often good at what they do. To avoid passing down prevalent hereditary diseases, the puppy’s parents are frequently examined for health issues.
For example, the mommy dog gets frequent checkups and vet visits during its pregnancy to make sure the bloodhound babies are healthy and developing in the usual way.
After birth, the puppies get vet visits numerous times when they are examined for any underlying issues and given their immunizations.
These dogs will cost somewhere between $500- $2500. Remember that the most expensive dogs are those with superior bloodlines that are meant for breeding or that were bred to be tracking dogs.
There may be enough breeders in some areas to keep prices somewhat low due to competition, and please do avoid buying from these places to save money.
You don’t want to promote businesses like puppy mills or backyard breeders, who are likely to provide the cheapest costs.
Other Methods
Bloodhound puppies are frequently advertised on craigslist and other internet places. Most of these pups are not produced by skilled breeders.
The puppies may not have experienced all of the necessary veterinary care because their parents frequently do not complete the required health testing.
These routes generally don’t require any paperwork, and they can’t produce puppies that can be registered. Of course, if what you want is just a pet, this isn’t a big concern.
It will cost a somewhat similar price to a dog who’s been rescued from an adoption center.
These puppies may not have received all of their necessary vaccinations because the parents of these puppies are not health-tested.
They might have had similar issues hidden beneath the surface and not had their internal parasites examined. Therefore, they might result in additional vet expenses down the road.
Cost of Raising a Bloodhound
Cost of Nutrition
These dogs consume a lot and grow quickly in their first year, and a $500 annual budget is reasonable to expect high-quality food. Puppy food will also cost roughly the same as large-breed puppy food because of its unique nutritional requirements as they grow.
Cost of Healthcare
Most common diseases that affect bloodhounds are one-time occurrences, so you shouldn’t necessarily need to account for them in your monthly budget. Most of them are relatively moderate probs,
Conditions with the Bloodhound to be aware of include;
- Ear infections
- Skin infections
- Tick fever
- Obesity
- Droopy eyes
As soon as a bloodhound is infected by a skin disease, make sure to address it. You may need to purchase specialized medication for this matter, which will cost you a few hundred dollars or more.
To prevent obesity, simply feed your dog a healthy diet that has been approved by a veterinarian. In this case, you’ll only have to pay your vet bills.
You’ll also have to keep an eye on flea prevention. Bloodhounds adore being outside, and they particularly enjoy snooping through thick brush to find fleas and ticks to bite. It is crucial to treat them for fleas and ticks once a month.
Veterinary Costs
You may never need to pay for expensive medical procedures if you take proper care of your dog.
Your puppy’s prior medical care will have a significant impact on your first year’s vet bills.
You’ll have to handle a lot of stuff on your own if they haven’t already received primary prevention care. These expenses might cost up to $500.
Heart disease and hip and elbow dysplasia in Bloodhounds are the two conditions you should be most concerned about.
By keeping your dog at a healthy weight and giving them plenty of exercises, you may reduce your dog’s risk of developing these problems.
Being overweight and out of shape is terrible for your dog’s long-term health, and treating these conditions will cost you a lot of money.
If your Bloodhound doesn’t experience many health issues after the first year, you should budget between $125 to $265 yearly. Many issues in Bloodhounds can potentially cost thousands of dollars to treat.
Training Costs
If you are good with your Bloodhound taking group classes, you can anticipate spending roughly $500 for a few weeks of classes. When most puppies are young, the best decision is to enroll them in puppy classes because they provide a lot of socialization for them.
Private lessons typically cost more, at about $175 per hour. Fortunately, these dogs are reasonably well-behaved, so they frequently do not require much one-on-one instruction.
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Grooming Costs
Bloodhounds don’t need a lot of grooming, so you can do it yourself without having to employ someone else to do it for you. They only need to be bathed when they are obviously unclean, and you should only brush them around once a week.
Bloodhounds are relatively low maintenance in terms of grooming because they only shed once or twice a year.
However, in order to maintain their coat and avoid skin infections, they may still require the fundamental grooming supplies like a dog brush and nail trimmer. A grooming kit for a bloodhound only costs somewhere between $40- $180.
Other Expenses
Equipment cost: The food and water bowls should be made of premium stainless steel. Although plastics are appealing, they might not be the best material for your huge Bloodhound. These only cost between $15 to $35 for a pair.
The correct bed can help your dog feel more at ease while also preventing the onset or aggravation of physical abnormalities like hip and elbow dysplasia. Prices for a comfortable bed will range somewhere between $50- $200.
Toy Cost: It’s crucial to acquire bloodhound pups, a sturdy teething toy [Chew toys], so you can save your furnishings because they have a tendency to chew on objects, especially while they’re teething. You should only have to pay $30 to $50 for each chew toy.
Related article: Best challenging dog toys
Dog License: It’s vital to get your dog licensed, especially if it’s a Bloodhound, because they’re legendary escape artists. Animal control and shelters can quickly identify your Bloodhound thanks to license tags, which can help you get him back to you safely. Generally, license costs range from $10 to $20.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Bloodhound
Age, gender, bloodline, lineage, breeding method, and the overall quality of the dog you purchase all affect the bloodhound cost. And before getting a bloodhound, you must be aware of these in detail.
Age
Younger bloodhounds are offered for a greater price, as with any other dog breed. Since most dog owners like to receive their puppy as young as possible, most pups have a higher demand than the older lot.
Registration
Expect to pay more than the average price for a bloodhound if you are looking for a puppy that is registered with a well-known kennel association.
Bloodline
The pedigree of a bloodhound has a considerable impact on its pricing; keep in mind you’ll have to pay considerably more than the usual Bloodhound pricing if you choose a purebred dog that shows quality.
Bloodhound breeder
Unlike backyard breeders, respectable breeders generally charge a premium fee for their pups. This is because these breeders undergo and spend a lot on health examinations to ensure that the Bloodhound puppies they are raising are strong and of the highest caliber.
Breeder’s Location
The bloodhound price also depends on where the breeder is located. Breeders of the same breed are larger, more well-known cities would charge far higher prices for the pups.
Pros and Cons of a Bloodhound
Pros
Cons
Other Dog Breeds Pricing Guides:
Bottom Line
Bloodhounds are amazing friends, and they are very rarely the pricey romantic partner. With a bit of forethought on your part, you can probably keep one of these creatures for over ten years without even incurring debt as a result.
However, you should have a proper plan. You should definitely know the initial investment to all the costs of owning a bloodhound.
It’s still best to give owning one a careful consideration. It’s crucial to assess your financial capacity in advance to ensure that you can meet these puppies’ demands for the whole of their lives.
I guarantee you this is the best piece in knowing all the expenses from the initial expense to all possible expenses.
Keep in mind that having a Bloodhound requires financial stability and is a lifetime commitment.
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