This dog's nose overrides its recall almost every time — once a Bloodhound picks up a scent trail it will follow it regardless of traffic, distance, or what its owner wants, so a securely fenced yard is not optional, and this large, deep-chested breed also carries a real risk of life-threatening bloat that casual buyers rarely hear about upfront.
9.3years, median
3.2 years below the all-dog median of 12.5.
Measured, not estimated: the middle age at death across 584,734 UK dogs, 284,734 of them deceased. Based on 205 dogs of this breed. 95% confidence interval 8.6 to 11 years. Half lived longer than this, half did not. UK dogs, so treat it as the best available figure rather than a promise about yours.
In the same study, large breeds as a group had a median of 11.9 years and long-muzzled breeds 12.1. This breed is large and long-muzzled.
McMillan et al. 2024, Scientific Reports 14:531 — open access · CC BY 4.0Health tests to ask the breeder for
American Bloodhound Club sets the tests a Bloodhound needs for a CHIC number in the OFA's open database. A CHIC number means the tests were done and the results are public. It does not mean the dog passed them: ask for the results for both parents, or look them up yourself on ofa.org.
- Hip Dysplasia (OFA Evaluation)
- Elbow Dysplasia (OFA Evaluation)
- Cardiac Evaluation (OFA; specialist/cardiologist exam recommended)
When to spay or neuter: the guidelines split at 45 pounds grown, five to six months under it and after growth is complete over it, and the UC Davis study gives a guideline by breed for 35 breeds. The spay and neuter page has both, and the two weeks after.
- Eye Examination by a boarded ACVO Ophthalmologist (results registered with OFA or CERF)
- Patellar Luxation (OFA Evaluation)
- Hip Dysplasia (PennHIP Evaluation)
- Degenerative Myelopathy DNA test (OFA / University of Missouri)
Test names as the club lists them; checked September 2026. OFA CHIC breed page. How to use this at the breeder: check a breeder.
Adopt a Bloodhound near you
Shelters and rescues list Bloodhounds and Bloodhound mixes on Petfinder. Enter a ZIP code to see who is waiting within 100 miles.
Listings come from Petfinder and open there. Petipedia does not take part in adoptions and earns nothing from them.
Living with a Bloodhound
Bloodhounds are famously gentle and patient with children, but they are large, independent, and will pull hard on a scent — recall off-leash outside a secure area is genuinely unreliable no matter the training. Expect a deep, loud baying voice, real drooling, and a dog that needs its facial skin folds and ears cleaned regularly to avoid infection; typical lifespan is on the shorter side for a large working breed.
Health you should know about
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) — a sudden, life-threatening twisting of the stomach common to deep-chested large breeds; prevention includes slow feeders, smaller frequent meals, and avoiding exercise around mealtimes.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia — hereditary joint malformation common in large hounds.
- Ear infections — the long, low-set, pendulous ears trap moisture and debris, making chronic ear infections a routine issue without regular cleaning.
- Elevated cancer risk, including lymphoma and mast cell tumors — some sources link this to the breed's relatively narrow genetic diversity from selective breeding for its distinctive look.
Read the full Dog Care Guide first — costs, daily time, and everything a dog needs before you choose a breed.
Sources — 5 references
Last reviewed October 2026. 5 sources listed below. Written and maintained by Petdeals.io. General care information, not veterinary advice — for a sick animal, call a vet.