I have long been interested in bloodhounds but I have never owned one before. My question is this, I have a son who suffers from epilepsy and wonder if the bloodhounds temprement is suitable to live with this medical problem. I saw a televison programme years ago where they were having a manhunt with bloodhounds and they said that this breed of dog hasn't got a nasty bone in its body. Is this true and how easy are they to train and care for?

Roz Burn

Roz
if you want to know more about bloodhounds I will happily email you with more information. It has to be said that they are not a breed suitable for most domestic circumstances. In answer to your questions,they most certainly can have nasty streaks, care can be tricky and training is difficult!!! If you let me have your email address I will forward the info on to you.
sam

I would sort of go along with that Sam. I owned a couple many years ago and found them to be gentle, sweet natured and (at the risk of upsetting Bloodhound people) thick! As long as they had their noses down, you could forget obedience. I had mine as family girls and expect for their ability to slobber for England they were fine. The whole family loved them and they were wonderful with the children. However not everyone is suited to a hound. Oh and they used to sing to the moon, and accompany the church bells! Great characters, but need understanding.
Jan

hi janet
how long ago & what breeding? always interested inhearing about past hounds
sam

Hello Sam
My first was bred by a lady in Banbury, she took the name Rusclose and had terrible luck in losing the bitch at the birth. There were a lot of Abingerwood, Barsheen and Brighton ancestors. She managed to hand rear all the pups and we took a bitch. She grew into the most wonderful hound (I know because Jo Braddon stopped me to tell me, do you remember him?) However I think her beginnings made her quite timid. In the show ring I know her tail would never have come out from between her legs so I didn't even try! She was mainly black with tan and very striking. We had had her for about 10 months and one of our local vets asked if I could rescue a bitch he had in his care. Fatal of course I saw her and fell in love. She was a perfect match for the established one. This was 1971 when Chunky dog food was using bloodhounds to advertise. This poor girl had been in a puppy farm, then thrown out onto the streets of Coventry. It took us about 12 months to nurse her back to health, but they were fantastic together. I called them Bella and Donna. Through this I met Pauline Griffiths who breeds the Weatheroak hounds in Devon. Beautiful.
Jan

what a coincidence...I live a few miles from pauline, she is one of my oldest friends...and I had a hound from her about 10 years ago. Small world eh. I shall see her tomorrow & remember you to her if you like/
sam