How long does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) live?

The life expectancy of the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) is 7-10 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) weigh?

An adult Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) weighs between 36-50 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.

How much exercise does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) need?

The Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Who is the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) NOT recommended for?

It isn't the right breed for: Flats with sensitive neighbours. Those who cannot cope with drool/hair. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

Does it really have the best canine sense of smell?

Yes. Its tracking ability is so reliable that its 'testimony' has been admitted as evidence in US courts. It is a working scent hound: it needs to use its nose daily to stay balanced.

What is bloat and why is it so dangerous?

Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a fatal emergency in large, deep-chested dogs like this one. The stomach swells and twists. Split up meals, avoid exercise right before and after, and if you see a swollen abdomen with retching but no vomit, go to the vet immediately.

Does it drool and shed a lot?

Yes to both. The drool is abundant and constant, and although its coat is short, it sheds. You have to clean drool, ears and folds daily. It is not a dog for anyone after tidiness.

Why does it live less than other dogs?

Its large size shortens its life expectancy (7-10 years on average). Good prevention of bloat, dysplasia and ear problems, together with weight control, helps make the most of those years.

Is it a good family dog?

Very affectionate and gentle with children, but its size, drool, howling and stubbornness make it demanding. It needs space, patience and owners who can accept its scent-hound character.

Breed profile

Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto)

The finest canine sense of smell: tracks scents a week later. Extremely long ears, characteristic dewlap. Calm, gentle nature. Howls a lot. Drool guaranteed.

Origin: Bélgica/Francia Size: Grande Lifespan: 7-10 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Families with space
✓Those who can tolerate howling and drool
✓Hunters/trackers

Reconsider if

×Flats with sensitive neighbours
×Those who cannot cope with drool/hair

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Is the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

70-120 €/month

Feeding 45-65 €, ear/fold cleaners and parasite control 12-18 €, veterinary allowance 20-35 €, accessories 5-10 €. Set aside a fund for digestive emergencies (bloat) and ear treatments.

History and origin

Refined by Belgian monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in the 8th century. It reached England with the Normans. Used by modern police forces for its sense of smell (its evidence has been admitted in US courts).

Recognised by the FCI within group 7 or 8 (pointing or retrieving dogs). Its historical hunting use determines its need for physical exercise and scent work: boredom is the main cause of behavioural problems.

Temperament and character

Calm, gentle, patient. Affectionate. When it catches a scent: impossible to call back. Howls. Somewhat stubborn. Needs daily mental stimulation — scent games, food Kongs and short tricks channel its energy better than physical exercise alone. Responds best to positive reinforcement: physical punishment creates fear, anxiety and reactivity — coercive methods are NOT recommended by veterinary behaviourists. Sensitive to its family's mood: it picks up on tension and takes it on.

Living together

Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: tolerates.

Life stages of the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto)

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 7-10 años.

Puppy

0-1 year

Controlled growth and gentle exercise; hygiene of facial folds and the long ears from the start.

Young

1-2 years

Hip and elbow radiographs; split meals with rest afterwards due to the high risk of gastric torsion.

Adult

2-6 years

Frequent ear cleaning (otitis); eye examination (entropion/ectropion); weight control.

Senior

6+ years

Management of osteoarthritis; digestive and cardiac monitoring; frequent geriatric check-ups given its shorter longevity.

Care

Exercise: 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.

Brushing: 2-3 times/week; intensive during moulting (spring and autumn).

Feeding: quality food appropriate to life stage (puppy/adult/senior) and size. Weight control: obesity is the main avoidable cause of joint problems.

Vet: annual check-up with preventive blood work from age 5 (age 7 in giant breeds); twice a year from age 8.

Exercise 1 hr/day. Cleaning of ears and folds. Weekly brushing. Cleaning of dewlap area. Weight control.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality large-breed food split into 2-3 meals to reduce the risk of gastric torsion, with rest after eating and weight control to protect the joints.

✂️ Grooming

Simple weekly brushing, but daily cleaning of the long ears, facial folds and drool to prevent infections and dermatitis.

🎓 Training

Gentle but very stubborn and driven by its nose: positive reinforcement, patience and tracking as a reward. Never off-lead near traffic: a scent switches it off from the world.

🏃 Exercise

45-60 min daily of scent walks at a calm pace; powerful and hardy, but do not push it in the heat given its size and muzzle.

Breed-specific health

Bloat (high risk). Dysplasia. Entropion. Chronic otitis. Heart disease. Life expectancy 7-10 years (short). Life expectancy 7-10 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests recommended in responsible breeders (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)🦴Displasia de cadera 🦴Displasia de codo 👁️Entropión 👂Otitis (infección de oído)

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto)

Recommended tests and screenings

✓Official hip and elbow radiographs (dysplasia)
✓Ophthalmological examination (entropion/ectropion are common)
✓Ear examination (chronic otitis due to long ears)
✓Cardiological assessment and monitoring for gastric dilatation (bloat)

Prevention

Strict anti-bloat routine: meals split up, rest after eating and a feeding bowl at floor level; many vets recommend preventive gastropexy. Daily cleaning of ears and folds, weight control and up-to-date vaccinations.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with blood work from age 4-5; two visits a year from age 6-7 given its short average lifespan.

Warning signs

!Distended abdomen, unproductive retching and restlessness (bloat: life-threatening EMERGENCY)
!Head shaking, bad smell or ear pain
!Red eyes, watering or turned-in eyelids (entropion/ectropion)
!Lameness, stiffness or exercise intolerance

Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) gallery

Foto de la raza bloodhound — Foto: Wikimedia Commons

Frequently asked questions about the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto)

How long does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) live?: The life expectancy of the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) is 7-10 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.
How much does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) weigh?: An adult Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) weighs between 36-50 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is grande.
Where does the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) breed come from?: The Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) originates from Bélgica/Francia. Refined by Belgian monks of the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in the 8th century. It reached England with the Normans. Used by modern police forces for its sense of smell (its evidence has been admitted in US courts).
How much exercise does a Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) need?: The Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) has media energy. **Exercise:** 45-60 min/day split into at least 2 sessions. Calm walks + mental play.
Is the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) good with children?: Children: excellent. Other dogs: sociable. Cats: tolerates.
Who is the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) NOT recommended for?: It isn't the right breed for: Flats with sensitive neighbours. Those who cannot cope with drool/hair. It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.
What health problems does the Bloodhound (Sabueso de San Huberto) have?: Bloat (high risk). Dysplasia. Entropion. Chronic otitis. Heart disease. Life expectancy 7-10 years (short). Life expectancy 7-10 years with proper care. Pre-breeding tests recommended in responsible breeders (dysplasia + cardiac + ophthalmology according to the breed's conditions). When adopting, ask the rescue for a vet report on the current state of health.
Does it really have the best canine sense of smell?: Yes. Its tracking ability is so reliable that its 'testimony' has been admitted as evidence in US courts. It is a working scent hound: it needs to use its nose daily to stay balanced.
What is bloat and why is it so dangerous?: Gastric dilatation-volvulus is a fatal emergency in large, deep-chested dogs like this one. The stomach swells and twists. Split up meals, avoid exercise right before and after, and if you see a swollen abdomen with retching but no vomit, go to the vet immediately.
Does it drool and shed a lot?: Yes to both. The drool is abundant and constant, and although its coat is short, it sheds. You have to clean drool, ears and folds daily. It is not a dog for anyone after tidiness.
Why does it live less than other dogs?: Its large size shortens its life expectancy (7-10 years on average). Good prevention of bloat, dysplasia and ear problems, together with weight control, helps make the most of those years.
Is it a good family dog?: Very affectionate and gentle with children, but its size, drool, howling and stubbornness make it demanding. It needs space, patience and owners who can accept its scent-hound character.