Bloodhound, also known as the Saint-Hubert Hound, originated in Belgium in the 9th century AD. It is one of the oldest and purest breeds of scent hounds in the world, with a large body size. It is gentle, lively, child-friendly, loyal to its owner, has a keen sense of smell, and good physical fitness. Its melancholy eyes, large and long ears, and wrinkled face give a deep impression, making it appear very amiable. In daily life, it shows a quiet and submissive side, but when tracking prey, it is extremely focused and can travel long distances. However, it has a somewhat timid and sensitive nature, so it should not be overly blamed.
Bloodhound, known as Saint-Hubert Hound in Belgium, is bred specifically for tracking wolves, deer, or wounded game and is highly favored by the French royal family. This breed appeared in Europe long before the Crusades, with the first dog originating from Constantinople. There are two varieties, black and white, with the black variety being the famous Saint-Hubert Hound of the 8th century, while the white variety later became known as the Southern Hound. In 1066, King William brought the Saint-Hubert Hound to England. Several centuries later, the English bred and improved the breed to create the Bloodhound we know today. However, the Bloodhound still retains its strong wild tracking instincts even after the improvement, as it can track scents that are over 14 days old.
In the 12th century, bishops used the Saint-Hubert Hound as a means of transportation. They placed great emphasis on pure lineage, considering purebred lineage as the highest honor. Therefore, the church elite of that time were also early breeders and raisers of Bloodhounds. Thanks to their dedicated breeding and care, the Bloodhound's lineage has always been very superior, making it one of the oldest and purest breeds of scent hounds in the world.
Bloodhound is suitable for modern family breeding. It has a gentle temperament, likes to be quiet, loyal to its owner, very friendly to the people around it, and will not quarrel with its companions. It is like a kind grandfather, very healing. However, it is a little timid and sensitive by nature. Do not blame it excessively, otherwise it will be very sensitive and upset.
1. Heart disease
Dogs often develop heart disease due to obesity or old age. When a dog has heart disease, it mainly shows symptoms such as easy fatigue, difficulty breathing, and rapid breathing. Heart disease in dogs is difficult to detect and often goes unnoticed until it is too late.
2. Infectious diseases
Canine distemper and parvovirus are common and highly lethal infectious diseases in dogs. Dogs that have not been vaccinated in time are prone to these two diseases. Once infected, dogs may show symptoms such as lack of energy, decreased appetite, high body temperature, vomiting, and diarrhea.
3. Kidney disease
When it comes to common diseases and symptoms in dogs, kidney disease must be mentioned. The frightening thing about kidney disease in dogs is that it progresses unnoticed. By the time the owner realizes it, the dog's kidney cells are already damaged by more than 75%. When a dog's kidneys have problems, the usual symptoms are blood in urine, abnormal urine color, and changes in urination habits.
4. Parasites
Intestinal parasites such as roundworms and hookworms, as well as heartworms, are common parasites that infect dogs. The main symptoms of dogs infected with gastrointestinal parasites include weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, presence of worms in the feces, and pale gum mucosa. On the other hand, heartworm is a parasite that lives in the dog's heart. Dogs infected with heartworm may show symptoms such as decreased vitality, coughing, anemia, wheezing, and ascites.
5. Canine pneumonia
Pneumonia is also a common disease in dogs, but it is often a complication of other diseases. It commonly occurs in dogs with abnormalities in the upper respiratory system, bacterial infections, canine distemper infection, viral cold, impaired lung function, and heartworm infection. Coughing, nasal discharge, and increased body temperature are the main symptoms of canine pneumonia.
1. Bloodhounds need a lot of exercise and regular daily routines. It is recommended to play tracking games with them regularly to better exercise their instincts.
2. Provide three meals at regular times, with a slightly larger portion for dinner. Develop a good habit of eating at regular intervals and remove the food bowl when mealtime is over.
3. Bloodhounds need regular exercise, so it is important to protect their bones. Provide them with extra calcium supplements and take them outside to bask in the sun frequently.
4. Daily meals should mainly consist of dog food. Pay attention to nutritional balance and avoid giving too much meat, as it can cause gastrointestinal discomfort in dogs.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, it is important not to do it too often. The frequency of bathing should depend on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, bathing can be done more often, while in winter it can be reduced. However, in general, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it can damage its fur and skin!
2. Brush regularly
Dogs tend to shed almost every day, especially during spring and autumn. To maintain good hair growth, regular brushing is important. Pet owners can use a pet-specific brush to help the dog remove natural shed hair and prevent matting. Brushing once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathe
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's hair. In addition to making the fur shiny, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can improve its physical condition, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier hair.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is often related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body, depriving it of nutrition. Therefore, deworming is necessary. It is recommended to perform internal and external deworming at the same time. Also, deworming medication can be harmful to the dog's gastrointestinal system, so it is advisable to provide probiotics on a regular basis to alleviate any discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order for a dog to have beautiful fur, it is essential to establish a good nutritional foundation and pay attention to its daily diet. On one hand, feed the dog with nutritious and healthy dog food that meets its needs. On the other hand, provide the dog with an appropriate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolk, and vegetable oil.
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