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Bloodhound History
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The Bloodhound hails from Western Europe, and its lineage can be traced to approximately the 14th century. Among the most useful of breeds, the Bloodhound has been put to work for hundreds of years tracking both animals and humans. The dog’s considerable size and somewhat menacing appearance would lead some to think that the dog’s quarry, once found, has seen the end of its days. In fact, quite the opposite is true: once a Bloodhound has located its target, it instinctually reports back to its master, who might then release a pack of more ferocious dogs. Scottish and English records from the 14th century indicate that the rebel William Wallace (popularized in Mel Gibson's film Braveheart) was tracked by Sleuth Hounds, which many believe to be the very same as the Bloodhound. Scientist Robert Boyle wrote a noteworthy report on the breed’s tracking abilities during the 17th century.
In the late 19th century, Bloodhounds were exported to France, where dog fanciers hoped to use the dogs to bring back their beloved St. Hubert dog breed. Because of this, the Bloodhound is also known as the Chien Saint Hubert and is registered under that name with the FCI. The name Bloodhound comes from the Middle Ages and was given to mean "hound of pure blood," denoting the animal’s stringent breeding, rather than the mistaken definition 'blood seeking hound.' The Bloodhound is commonly believed to have been used to track runaway slaves in the United States during the 19th century, but the breed was not widely bred or recognized on this side of the Atlantic at that time, and modern dog historians believe the majority of slave-tracking dogs came from another strain. The Bloodhound began to come into its own in the United States toward the end of the 19th century, and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885, the same year that its smaller cousin, the Basset Hound, was recognized.
