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We all know Bloodhounds by their wrinkled faces and long, floppy ears. This large dog has become one of the most popular canine companions, and more people want to bring one home every day. Before you do that, though, you might want to think about a few traits when it comes to this breed, especially when you compare the males against the females. These comparisons should help you choose between a male and female Bloodhound and encourage you to make the most suitable choice for your lifestyle.
Visual Differences Between Male & Female Bloodhounds
At a Glance
- Average height (adult): 26 inches
- Average weight (adult): 90 – 110 pounds
- Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
- Exercise: 20 – 40 minutes per day
- Trainability: Excellent
- Average height (adult): 24 inches
- Average weight (adult): 80 – 100 pounds
- Lifespan: 7 – 10 years
- Exercise: 20 – 40 minutes per day
- Trainability: Excellent
Bloodhound 101
Bloodhounds are a large breed with droopy ears and wrinkled skin on their face and bodies. Both males and females have short coats that are either black and tan, liver and tan, or red. They are known for being gentle and patient dogs who tolerate a lot. While most are mild-mannered, they have a lot of determination and independence in their blood. If they catch an interesting scent, they are more likely to follow their instincts than listen to their owners. Still, they are excellent and intelligent companions to add to your family.
Choosing between male and female Bloodhounds is a big decision, and you might gravitate towards one gender more than the other when you find out the differences between the two.
Male Bloodhounds Overview
Personality / Character
Male Bloodhounds are loyal animals, but their attention isn’t quite as good as their female counterparts. Still, their independent personalities are admirable, and it takes a dedicated master to train one. They still like a lot of love and enjoy pleasing you. If you don’t have the time to spend with them, they are a little more likely to act out from boredom.
Training
Training male Bloodhounds is a bit different than training females. Males are more stubborn than females. You might find that they ignore you once they’ve set their mind up to something. Some people find that their male Bloodhounds tend to wander more because they catch a scent and are determined to follow.
Health & Care
Bloodhounds are active dogs, and their lifestyle tends to take a toll on their bodies. Many of the most common health issues aren’t too serious with this breed. Common problems are with hip and elbow dysplasia or certain eye conditions.
Breeding
Always consider all the costs that go into breeding Bloodhounds before you commit to it. These costs include caring for the adults and puppies if you have both a male and female. This also means paying for all their food, vaccines, and other vet bills. Fortunately, most breeders who own males aren’t involved in that part of the breeding process.
- Confident
- Independent
- Social
- Stubborn
- More destructive
Female Bloodhounds Overview
Personality / Character
The most significant difference between male and female Bloodhounds is that the females have a more calming nature. She is much more tolerant of children and more eager to please her master. In addition, she is very understanding and accepts change better than the male.
Training
Female Bloodhounds have a much better attention span than males. This trait makes training them more manageable than with the males. Females don’t get distracted, and their top priority is to make you happy. They think more about what you want than what they want, which could be ideal if you are training them to do a specific job.
Health & Care
Females and males both have similar health issues. Many of their problems aren’t life-threatening. Aside from some pain in their hips and elbows, the only other problems that are common are dry eye and cataracts.
Breeding
Breeding when you own a female is more costly than breeding with a male. The female requires a lot more attention while she tends to her litter. You must care for her as well as however many puppies she has. This includes keeping them up to date on their vet trips and vaccines, as well as feeding them and cleaning up after them until they’re ready to be separated from their mother.
- Gentle
- Easy to train
- Patient
- Eager to please
- Most costly if breeding
- Less independent
How to Groom a Bloodhound
Grooming your Bloodhound, whether male or female, takes a little bit of work. These dogs have wrinkles in their skin that must be wiped clean more often than other breeds. Because they use their noses so often, avoid shampoos with a powerful fragrance. They tend to drool a lot because of their heavy lips. Bloodhounds also have large ears that easily become dirty. Try to bathe them, clean their ears, and clip their nails at least once a month.
Which Gender Is Right for You?
While male and female Bloodhounds aren’t too different from one another, there are a few subtle comparisons that could have swayed your decision about which one to bring home. Ask yourself how both the personality traits and training are going to affect your life. Consider how each one could change your life and either better it or keep it at a disadvantage. Your dog’s gender isn’t always at the top of the list, but it could be the one factor that determines whether they fit your lifestyle.
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Featured Image Credit: Top – Lenkadan, Shutterstock | Bottom – Sabine Hagedorn, Shutterstock
