Breed guide
Bloodhound
The world's best nose. Droopy, gentle, determined tracker. Bloat, ears, and skin folds define daily care.
AKC Rank
#49
Size
large (80-110 lbs)
Life Expectancy
10-12 yrs
Activity
moderate
Feeding a Bloodhound
Large scent hound. ~1,800-2,400 kcal/day. Bloat is the primary feeding concern.
Key nutrients
- •glucosamine
- •omega-3
Portion notes: 2-3 small meals to reduce bloat risk. No exercise after eating.
Fresh food picks for Bloodhounds
Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.
The Farmer's Dog
Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog
- •Human-grade fresh food
- •Portioned per dog
- •Vet-developed recipes
- •50% off first box
Ollie
Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes
- •Fresh and baked recipes
- •Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
- •Custom portions
- •60% off first box
Nom Nom
Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing
- •Pre-portioned pouches
- •Vet-formulated
- •Microbiome testing available
- •50% off first order
Spot & Tango
Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice
- •Fresh or UnKibble options
- •Human-grade ingredients
- •Shelf-stable storage option
- •50% off first order
First-year cost
What a Bloodhound actually costs year one
Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).
First-year total
$4,040-$7,970
Ongoing years run $3,220-$6,320 (no gear + training one-times).
Food (year one)
Fresh food subscription
$2,400-$3,650
Gear (one-time)
Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys
$420-$600
Vet care
Wellness + breed-specific
$720-$1,550
Grooming
moderate grooming needs
$100-$400
Training
Puppy class + supplies
$150-$500
Supplements
Breed-matched, optional
$0-$720
Other first-year
Vaccines, neuter, DNA test
$250-$550
Pet insurance (estimate)
Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.
$842-$1,474/yr
Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.
Supplements for Bloodhounds
Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.
Cosequin (Nutramax)
The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement
- •#1 vet-recommended
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Glucosamine + chondroitin
- •Clinically studied
Zesty Paws Allergy & Immune
Seasonal allergy + immune support chews
- •NASC Quality Seal
- •Seasonal allergy support
- •Salmon oil for skin
- •Chewable, dogs love them
Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.
Health concerns to watch
Bloat risk very high — 2-3 small meals daily, gastropexy worth discussing.
Long ears drag in everything; weekly cleaning essential.
Face wrinkles need daily cleaning to prevent infection.
Nose rules everything — escape-proof yard mandatory.
Is your Bloodhound scratching?
Bloodhounds are prone to skin and allergy issues. Take our 2-minute itch triage quiz.
Gear for Bloodhounds
Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.
Crate
for Bloodhounds
Harness
for Bloodhounds
Bed
for Bloodhounds
Collar
for Bloodhounds
Leash
for Bloodhounds
Slow feeder bowl
for Bloodhounds
Chew toy
for Bloodhounds
As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.
Training for Bloodhounds
Matched to Bloodhound temperament (friendly, independent, inquisitive).
GoodPup
1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers
- •1-on-1 live video sessions
- •Certified trainers
- •Custom per-dog plan
- •Weekly structure
BAXTER & Bella
Online puppy training program, lifetime access
- •Lifetime membership
- •Self-paced video lessons
- •Puppy + adult content
- •Behavior troubleshooting
Dogo
App-based training with daily structure
- •App-based daily plans
- •AI-guided feedback
- •Affordable monthly cost
- •Trick training library
GPS trackers for Bloodhounds
Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.
Fi
Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking
- •Real-time GPS
- •Activity + sleep tracking
- •Escape alerts
- •3-month battery
Tractive
Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range
- •Attaches to any collar
- •Worldwide GPS coverage
- •Activity monitoring
- •Budget-friendly
Curious about their DNA?
Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.
Embark
The most comprehensive dog DNA test
- •350+ breeds identified
- •250+ health conditions screened
- •Cornell-partnered science
- •Relatives finder
Wisdom Panel
Breed identification + health screening
- •350+ breeds
- •Genetic health insights
- •Budget-friendly option
- •Fast results
Bloodhound questions, answered
How long do Bloodhounds live?▾
How big do Bloodhounds get?▾
How much exercise does a Bloodhound need?▾
What health problems do Bloodhounds commonly have?▾
Are Bloodhounds hard to groom?▾
What should I feed a Bloodhound?▾
Are Bloodhounds good for first-time owners?▾
Ask Barkly about your Bloodhound
Get personalized answers about food, health, and care.