Bloodhound

The breed's ancestry runs back to hounds kept by monasteries in medieval Europe, most famously the abbey of Saint-Hubert in the Ardennes, from which the dog took one of its old names, the St Hubert Hound. Norman nobles brought these hounds to England after 1066, where huntsmen used them to track deer and later, in the border country between England and Scotland, to trail cattle thieves. By the nineteenth century the Bloodhound's nose had a second career: police forces in Britain and America used the breed to follow the trail of missing persons and suspects, work it still does today in search and rescue.

Living with a Bloodhound means living with a nose that overrides most other instincts. A Bloodhound that catches an interesting trail will follow it, often ignoring recall entirely, so secure fencing and a long line for training are not optional. The breed is large, slobbery and shakes its head enthusiastically, spraying drool on walls and clothing. Despite the working intensity of its nose, the temperament off the trail is gentle, patient and rather dignified; Bloodhounds are notably tolerant with children and other dogs, though their sheer size means a boisterous puppy can knock a toddler over without meaning to.

Today the Bloodhound is still used by mantrailing units and mountain rescue teams, and a smaller number are kept purely as companions by people who enjoy nose-work hobbies. The loose skin and long ears that help funnel scent to the nostrils need regular cleaning to avoid infection, and the breed's deep chest carries a real risk of bloat, so owners are advised to feed smaller meals and avoid strenuous exercise straight after eating.