Easy
Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is a large scent hound with an extraordinary nose, long, velvety ears, and deeply wrinkled skin around the head and neck. The short, dense coat itself is low maintenance, but the breed's distinctive skin folds and pendulous ears demand regular attention to prevent infections. Ear cleaning and wrinkle wiping are the primary grooming concerns.
Coat Type
Short, Dense, Smooth Hound Coat
Groom Every
Every 4-6 weeks
Styles Available
4 cuts
Cuts & Styles
Grooming Styles
1
Standard Hound Bath
A thorough bath using a shampoo appropriate for sensitive skin, with special attention to cleaning the skin folds and long ear leathers. The foundation of Bloodhound coat care.
2
Ear Care Treatment
Focused cleaning of the long, pendulous ear canals and the inner surface of the ear leather using a veterinary ear cleanser. Prevents the chronic ear infections that plague the breed.
3
Skin Fold Clean
Targeted cleaning of every facial and neck wrinkle with a hypoallergenic wipe or damp cloth, followed by thorough drying to prevent yeast and bacterial overgrowth in the folds.
4
Natural Hound
Between professional baths, a rubber curry brush removes loose coat and a hound glove adds shine. Combined with daily fold and ear maintenance, this keeps the dog fresh between visits.
Expert Advice
Care Tips
- The long, drooping ears of the Bloodhound trap moisture and prevent air circulation — clean the ear canals with a veterinary ear cleanser at least once per week to prevent chronic yeast and bacterial infections.
- Wipe out every facial and neck skin fold daily with a dry cloth or unscented baby wipe; trapped saliva, food, and moisture in the folds quickly cause painful pyoderma (skin fold dermatitis).
- After cleaning the skin folds, always dry them completely — leaving moisture in the folds defeats the purpose of cleaning and accelerates bacterial growth.
- The short coat sheds steadily year-round; a rubber curry brush used two to three times per week controls shedding more effectively than a bristle brush on this coat type.
- The Bloodhound's loose, wrinkled lips drool constantly — clean the lip folds and under the jaw after every meal and water session to keep the skin from becoming raw and infected.
Recommended Tools
What you'll need
Chris Christensen Big G Slicker Brush
BrushThe gold standard for poodles and doodles. Features long pins that penetrate deep into dense coats to remove tangles and fluff the hair.
$60 - $75
Miller's Forge Quality Nail Clipper
Nail CareUsed by professional groomers worldwide. Made of high-quality Italian stainless steel with a heavy-duty spring for clean, sharp cuts.
$10 - $15
Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush
BrushAn excellent entry-level brush that's easy to clean. Great for removing loose fur and detangling shorter coats.
$15 - $25
*As an Amazon Associate, Groomas earns from qualifying purchases.
Deep Dives
Bloodhound Grooming Guides
Summer Grooming
Heat management, coat care, and seasonal tips.
Read guide
Winter Coat Care
Cold-weather protection and moisture balance.
Read guide
Shedding Season
Survive the seasonal blowout without losing your mind.
Read guide
Prevent Matting
Detangle, prevent, and protect their coat year-round.
Read guide
Best Brushes
The right tools for this specific coat type.
Read guide
Nail Trimming
Safe nail care frequency and technique.
Read guide
Ear Cleaning
Prevent infections with proper ear care.
Read guide
Bathing Guide
How often to bathe and which products to use.
Read guide
Grooming Cost
What professional grooming should cost for this breed.
Read guide
Hypoallergenic
Shedding, dander, and allergy-friendly coat care.
Read guide
First-Time Owner
Grooming basics for new owners of this breed.
Read guide
Skin & Allergies
Itchy skin, hot spots, and coat-sensitive care.
Read guide
Dental Care
Oral hygiene tied to coat and skin health.
Read guide
Flea & Tick
Parasite prevention without damaging the coat.
Read guide
Pro vs DIY
When to groom at home and when to hire a pro.
Read guide
Free Newsletter
Grooming tips in your inbox
Monthly breed spotlights, grooming hacks, and product picks. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Free monthly grooming tips — join anytime