Mine is a world of Bloodhounds, and I hope you will leave my site with a better understanding of their special needs and special qualities.

About Me About The Bloodhound How To Find A Puppy Why ABC Members

Let Me Tell You About Myself

I am Judy Norwood of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Located in the southwest corner of the state, Kalamazoo is located about 2 hours east of Chicago and 2 hours west of Detroit. I with my husband Richard, who passed away February 4, 1999, have been involved in purebred dogs since 1971 when we purchased a registered German Shephard. We owned a couple other breeds before falling head over heals in love with a Bloodhound in 1990. I am a member of the American Bloodhound Club, The Prairielands Bloodhound Club, and The Colonial Bloodhound Club.

I have found that dogs love to please, and spending time with them is a great joy for them and for me. I actively show my dogs in the conformation ring. I am in the process of training one in obedience and I have two I am working with in the fine art of trailing. Bloodhounds love to trail and are naturals at it. I am also training a Briard in agility.

I do what I can to support Bloodhound breed rescue. If you are not looking for a puppy, please find it in your heart to offer a home to a displaced hound. The head of Great Lakes Bloodhound Rescue is Jenny Osborne and she can be reached at 248-634-6426.

In addition to my work with the Bloodhound breed, I am a member of the Kalamazoo Kennel Club where I sit on the Board of Directors, serving as Corresponding Secretary. I am a member of the Show Committee for our spring and fall shows and I am also serving as Match Chairman of the clubs sanctioned match on September 19, 1999.

About the Bloodhound

The Bloodhound has been recognized by the AKC for 125 years now. They have a noble, dignified appearance and a clownish personality. They are a scent hound, meaning that their greatest joy is to put that nose to the ground and follow a scent. They are primarily used to trail lost humans or fugitives. Police agencies are quickly recognizing their unchallenged ability to trail. At a very early age they learn that "Go Find" is a great game. The Bloodhound is sometimes referred to as a dog attached to a nose. They can never be allowed to run free. They must be kept in a fenced yard or on a leash. A loose Bloodhound is a dead Bloodhound. They put that nose to the ground and are oblivious to anything around them. They are so intense on a trail they will walk right into the path of a car and never hear it coming.

They are a big breed when fully grown. Bitches run from 90 to 110 pounds and males from 120 to 140 pounds. Bitches average height is from 23 to 25 inches and males from 25 to 27 inches although many run at the high end of these heights and weights.

Their beginnings are unknown, but we owe their development to St. Hubert, the patron saint of the hunter. It was believed he originally obtained his stock from southern France. The abbots who succeeded him carried on this breeding after his death.

Many people look at those cute little wrinkly puppies and fall in love. There is a lot to love about this breed. They love people and are very affectionate, but they must be socialized correctly and offered lots of opportunity to interact with people or they can become shy and withdrawn. People are surprised to find out that most Bloodhound breeders insist the dog be kept indoors. They need that personal interaction, and I personally will not sale to anyone that wants to keep the dog outside. They should be taken through some obedience classes, beginning when they are very young. This will offer them the opportunity to interact with other dogs and people, and help with socialization. They need to be taught manners just as any other member of your family does. Working with a Bloodhound is different than with other dogs. They are not hard to train. Just different. As it is written "You can't tell a Bloodhound what to do. You have to convince them they want to do it." They are a great source of joy, but not a breed for everyone. If you don't like slime or slobber then this is not the breed for you. With one swing of the head they can throw slobber 20 feet. Combined with their large food requirements, veterinarian bills, and short life span (average 8 - 10 years), they are not the dog for everyone. The bloodhound is prone to several health problems which include bloat, cancer, eye entropian, hip dysplasia and ear problems.

A lot of people think the Bloodhound is a big lazy dog that just wants to lay around and sleep. This is the opposite of the truth. They are a very active breed, and need a lot of room to play and exercise. A bored Bloodhound is usually getting into trouble. I recommend the use of crates for the unsupervised Bloodhound to keep them from chewing, aid in housebreaking and generally keep them out of trouble.

Here at Rinordith Bloodhounds I have made it my objective to breed Bloodhounds that can compete in the show ring, work on the trail, and be loving companions.

How To Find The Right Puppy

Unfortunately, we lost our first bloodhound Sadie at the age of 9 months when her heart stopped beating. We thought we asked the right questions, thought we were knowledgeable purchasers, but learned the hard way the difference between those that breed for money and those that breed for the love of the breed.. If you have decided to purchase a bloodhound puppy, buy from a member of the Amerian Bloodhound Club. It won't guarantee you get a perfect bloodhound, but will increase your chances because each of us sign a code of ethics that the American Bloodhound Club upholds. If you have decided the Bloodhound is the right dog for you, it is imperative that you invest the time and effort to find the right puppy. The saying "You get what you pay for" definitely applies when purchasing a dog. This is not the time to look for a bargain. Attend dog shows in your area and study the bloodhounds as they are judged. Talk to exhibitors and breeders. Be honest with the breeders when you visit. Tell them what you want in a bloodhound -- companion, show/breeding dog, or mantrailer. As a novice, you will be in a better position to finally select and purchase a puppy that will fit into your home as a friend and companion if you are well informed about the breed. The ethical, concerned breeder will ask you many personal questions because they care about the welfare of each of their puppies. The unethical breeder and pet shop are only concerned about one thing. Your money. If for some reason you are unable to keep your dog, contact the breeder. The reputable breeder will take the dog back willingly. Few pet stores can make the same claim.

Why Buy From An ABC Member

Much of the success you will have with your puppy depends upon what happened to your puppy before it came to you. It's genetic background, early conditioning, health and socialization are the result of the breeder's efforts. Not all breeders are conscientious. Commercial establishments, pet shops, and "puppy mills" seldom have the time to give the individualized attention that puppies and new puppy owners need. This is why it is so important to make sure that you investigate your puppy's breeder and background before making your choice. An AKC registration number is not an indication of the puppy's social background, temperament or breed-type quality.

American Bloodhound Club breeders are required to sign and adhere to the ABC Code of Ethics. They have spent a lifetime studying genetics, nutrition, structure, and movement. Their purpose in breeding is to produce a dog as close to the standard as possible. A dog that can do the job it was meant to do. They research pedigrees for correct type and freedom from genetic defects. They keep an extensive library of books and periodicals on the breed and have a huge investment in time and money in order to fulfill their objective.

More important than that, they are happy to assist you in all phases of your relationship with your dog for as long as you own him. This is a love affair for the American Bloodhound Club breeder as there is no money to be made in breeding bloodhounds properly.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email me at Rinordith@aol.com

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