The ancestors of Saint Hubert, also known as Bloodhound in English or Chien de Saint-Hubert in French, were bred in medieval France to chase deer and wild boar through the woods on long hunting days.
Today, this very active and intelligent breed of dog continues to retain its keen sense of smell, being one of the most commonly used dogs for tracking and rescue. St. Hubert enthusiasts adore it for its friendly character and unique appearance.
Index of contents
- 1 The curious character of Saint Hubert
- 2 Physical characteristics of the Bloodhound breed
- 2.1 How is your hair?
- 3 Education and training
- 3.1 Socialization
- 4 Recommended care for the breed
- 4.1 Do you need a lot of exercise?
The curious character of Saint Hubert
The Saint Hubert is a dog full of contradictions: docile but stubborn, determined but peaceful, affectionate but somewhat shy with people he does not know …
As a good hound, it is a very active dog that does not know how to be still: he spends the day sniffing, gnawing at anything in their reach, prying and drooling.
However, it is not a good watchdog as it loses its sweet temperament and kind to people. This love for humans can cause explosive displays of joy in the form of jumps and loud barking in the San Huberto, although most of the time he is a calm and balanced companion.
Physical characteristics of the Bloodhound breed
The San Huberto, also known as Bloodhound, is a large dog with a height at the withers of 65 to 70 cm and an approximate weight of 40-50 kg, values that are lower in females.
Strong and bulky, although very agile, this dog’s body is longer than it is tall, with strong limbs and rounded legs. The most characteristic features of this breed are found on the head, specifically the dewlap, the long hanging ears and in the folds and wrinkles of the face.
All this physiognomy helps to channel odors from the ground to the nose of the expert tracker who is Saint Hubert. And is that its star quality is smell : This dog is able to smell the slightest hint of a trace.
How is your hair?
The hair of the dogs of this breed is short and very soft. The most common colors are black, tawny and dark red. Often presents white spots on the chest, legs and tail.
Brush your hair once a week, more frequently during times of molting. It is also important to carefully clean the inside of your facial folds in order to prevent bacterial infections.
Education and training
To train a Saint Hubert you must be well armed with patience, since it is a very stubborn dog that will always try do things your way. Luckily, his stubbornness is offset by his almost always gentle temperament and his desire to please.
Knowing these peculiarities of his character, the most appropriate thing in his training is to use positive reinforcement techniquessuch as praise and food rewards. These sessions should not exceed fifteen minutes and should avoid severe punishments, both physical and verbal.
Socialization
The temperament of this breed is conditioned by a number of factors including inheritance, training, and socialization. The cubs of St. Hubert They are curious and playful, always ready to be with the children and to be pampered.
It is advisable to prevent children from playing with the San Huberto until the dog has completed its maturation and socialization process. Otherwise, due to its strength and large size, it can cause harm to little ones, even if it is unintentionally.
Recommended care for the breed
The San Huberto can live without problems both in small flats and apartments and in country houses. It does not adapt badly to confined spaces but due to its size it feels better if you have a patio or garden where run and enjoy of outdoor life.
In these cases it is convenient that this space is well fenced because it is a particularly skilled dog to escape behind any olfactory trail that arouses its interest.
No less important is maintaining good dental hygiene, as well as checking and cleaning regularly the inside of his ears As this breed is prone to recurring ear infections.
In general, it is a healthy dog without problems. A well-groomed and fed Saint Hubert can live up to 15 years.
Do you need a lot of exercise?
You have to take him out for a long walk at least a couple of times a day, which can be a more exhausting task for us than for the dog.
The San Huberto pulls hard on the leash, so it is often joked that the owners of these dogs have one more arm long than the other.
It is certainly a dog that requires the outdoors and freedom to spend its excess energy daily, it is not a carpet dog or a dog that requires few walks / exercise.