If you wonder how much a Bloodhound costs, you have come to the right page. Whether you’re just curious about it or you want to take home one, we have the answers.
For starters, the Bloodhound price is within the average range. However, there are many other expenses that you need to consider when owning a Bloodhound.
In this guide, we will go through and break down the actual cost of keeping a Bloodhound puppy as a family pet. Hopefully, this will help you determine and decide whether or not you are financially capable of owning one.
The Average Cost of a Bloodhound Puppy
The average Bloodhound puppy costs somewhere between $450 and $1,200. The price can still go up, especially if you are looking for high-pedigree Bloodhound puppies with professional track training. Other factors such as age and overall quality also affect the dog’s price.
Any professional breeder producing Bloodhounds puppies with an outstanding pedigree and top lineage usually advertise their Bloodhounds at $5,000. The same is true for Bloodhound puppies born from proven show dogs.
Regardless of the lineage, Bloodhounds are generally not cheap to own. That is why it is important to double-check on Bloodhound litters being sold at a very affordable price.
Chances are, you may be buying an unhealthy dog with undisclosed underlying issues that the breeder is trying to hide from you.
If you already find the price of a Bloodhound expensive, wait until you find out the initial and recurring expenses of this large breed dog.
Factors Affecting the Cost of a Bloodhound Puppy
To be fair, Bloodhound breeders do not just randomly assign an expensive tag on these Bloodhound puppies. The same is true with any other dogs, especially purebred dogs.
Puppy prices are based on several factors, including age, gender, bloodline, lineage, breeding process, and the overall quality of the dog you’re getting. And it is essential to know about these before buying a Bloodhound.
By doing so, you get the idea of whether the Bloodhound you’re getting is priced reasonably or not.
To give you a detailed list, here are the factors that affect the price of a Bloodhound:
Age: As with any other dog breed, younger Bloodhounds are sold at a higher price. This is because most puppies have a higher demand as compared to older ones since most dog owners want to get their puppy as young as possible.
Bloodline: A Bloodhound’s lineage is one of the most significant factors affecting its price. If you prefer purebred dogs that are of show quality, expect that the price will be much higher than the average Bloodhound cost. Similarly, the average price of Bloodhounds born from champion lines is even higher.
Registration Papers: If you are looking for a Bloodhound that is registered with some of the most popular kennel clubs, such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), expect to pay at least $200 more than the average puppy price.
Training and Socialization: To ensure that their owners will not have a hard time in training, some reputable breeders choose to sell Bloodhounds that are already trained and socialized. Training isn’t cheap, and so is buying a trained Bloodhound puppy. The training fee is usually added on top of the puppy’s price.
Breeder’s Reputation: Reputable breeders usually sell their litters at a higher price as compared to backyard breeders and puppy mills. This is because these breeders go through and spend so much on health tests to make sure they are producing healthy and high-quality Bloodhound puppies.
Location: The breeder’s location also determines the Bloodhound price. For instance, Bloodhound breeders from smaller, lesser-known cities would sell their litters at a much lower price as compared to breeders of the same breed in a more popular location. Breed popularity in the breeder’s location also affects the price.
The lists above are the major factors that affect a Bloodhound’s price. Note, however, that the list is not complete and that there are a lot more other factors to consider that also contribute to an increased Bloodhound price.
Still wondering if owning a Bloodhound is worth it? Check out this video to have a visual idea of how amazing these scent hounds are:
MAN HUNTERS!! - THE BLOODHOUND DOG<a href="https://youtu.be/Yn9xBjXGgfY" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.bubblypet.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FYn9xBjXGgfY%2F0.jpg" alt="MAN HUNTERS!! - THE BLOODHOUND DOG" width="1280" height="700" /><br />Watch this video on YouTube</a>
How Much Does It Cost to Adopt a Bloodhound From a Rescue?
When you opt to adopt a Bloodhound instead of buying from a breeder, you do not just give a dog another chance in life, but you also get to save a lot of money since adoption fees only range from $300 to $500.
Note, however, that the adoption fee varies widely as rescue groups have different protocols and adoption inclusions. They use a range of different factors to determine the cost that will support their rescue efforts.
More often than not, most rescue groups set the adoption fees fixed depending on the dog’s age. Unsurprisingly, younger puppies are adopted at a higher price.
The adoption fee that you will be paying usually covers your potential dog’s vet expenses such as vaccination, neutering or spaying, flea prevention, deworming, and microchipping.
A lot of Bloodhounds end up in shelters likely because their owners, later on, realize their lifestyles do not match, so you may easily find these large dogs in shelters.
Initial Cost of Bloodhound Ownership
Now that you have an idea about the Bloodhound cost, it is time to talk about the other expenses that you should also note.
In this section, we will take a look at some essential items that your new dog will need for a smooth and comfortable home transition.
You will also find a short table that you can use as a reference when you go shopping for your pup!
Here are the initial costs you need to prepare for your Bloodhound puppy:
Food and Treats: Large dog breeds like your Bloodhound are often active dogs. Thus, they need to be fed high-quality kibble to ensure overall nourishment. You also need to have treats on hand that will be very helpful for training. Initially, a bag of dog food and treats will cost you around $100 to $120.
Food and Water Bowls: Make sure to invest in high-quality stainless steel food and water bowls. Plastics may be aesthetically pleasing, but they may not be the ideal material for your large Bloodhound. Also, make sure to get the right size for your dog. A pair of these only costs between $15 and $35.
Bed: Choosing a bed of excellent quality is the only option you should consider. Aside from providing comfort for your beloved dog, the right bed can also prevent your pooch from developing or worsening abnormal physical conditions such as hip and elbow dysplasia. A good-quality bed is priced between $50 and $200.
Crate: Crates provide a safe space for dogs, so make sure to get a sturdy and reliable one for your Bloodhound. Crates can also be helpful if you ever plan on traveling with your Bloodhound. For a good-quality crate, you need to prepare approximately around $60 to $500.
Leash and Collar: Buying a cheap leash and collar for your large-sized Bloodhound can only cause you problems, especially when you’re walking them outside and it suddenly snaps. That is why it is important to save up at least $15 to $50 to get a rust-free and durable leash and collar.
Toys: Bloodhound puppies may tend to chew on things, especially when they’re teething, so it is important to get them a durable teething toy that they can chew on so you can spare your furniture. Chew toys should only cost you about $30 to $50 per piece.
Grooming Essentials: Lucky for you, your Bloodhound only sheds about once or twice a year which means they are fairly low-maintenance in terms of grooming. However, they still may need the basic grooming essentials such as a dog brush and nail trimmer to keep their coat clean and prevent skin infections. Bloodhound grooming kits cost only $40 to $180.
Deworming, Tick, and Flea Medications: Your Bloodhound is a scent hound and, most often than not, is notorious for going after anything that they can catch their smell. That said, they are susceptible to fleas and ticks that may cause skin infections later on. They also need to be dewormed to prevent internal parasites. Deworming, flea prevention, and tick medications will cost you around $50 to $200.
Initial Vet Visits: Within the first month of taking home a Bloodhound dog, it is important for you to pay a visit to your licensed veterinarian to check whether your dog needs necessary medical interventions. These visits will cover physical exams, vaccines, and heartworm prevention. Depending on the tests required and your location, initial veterinary costs are between $100 and $300.
Initial Vaccine Shots: If you buy from a reputable breeder, your Bloodhound puppy will already be partially vaccinated by the time you take it home. Often, it is the new dog owner that will shoulder the expenses for the remaining shots needed. These vaccines are essential, and the cost range from $75 to $200.
Neutering and Spaying: Depending on where you live, neutering and spaying may be required for your dog. Regardless, veterinarians and experts highly recommend getting this procedure done. Getting your dog neutered or spayed may come at an additional cost of $50 to $500 but provides numerous benefits to your dog.
Dog License: Licensing your dog is an important procedure, especially for Bloodhounds which are notorious escape artists. License tags help animal control and shelters quickly identify your Bloodhound and get him back to you safely. License fees usually range from $10 to $20.
Microchip: Microchipping is another procedure that you can do to keep your Bloodhound safe and secured. For an average price of $40 to $60, a device will be implanted on your dog. This device can be read by computer scanners to identify information about the dog.
Miscellaneous Supplies: Aside from the items mentioned above, your Bloodhound may also need several other items such as cleaning supplies, poop bags, poop inducers, vitamins, and accessories. For these expenses, it should be safe to set aside $15 to $30.
Here’s a summary of the initial expenses of owning a Bloodhound puppy:
New pet owners can expect an initial investment between $650 and $2,445 to cover the initial supplies that your Bloodhound may need for an easy home adjustment.
Keep in mind that the list above contains the essentials for bigger dogs like the purebred Bloodhound. Your actual spending may still vary, especially if you already have some of these supplies available.
Likewise, some breeders also provide some of the items listed above, so it’s best to always check with your breeder what the inclusions of the puppy are.
Annual Cost of Owning a Bloodhound
The next thing that you should consider after the initial costs are the yearly costs of owning these large breed dogs.
Bloodhounds have a lifespan of 10 to 12 years, so it’s best to determine now whether or not you will be able to afford the expenses.
As your dog continues to grow, you should expect the cost to somehow increase each year. Likewise, they may also need regular medical care, so make sure to include that in your budget.
The table below shows the summary of expenses you should prepare for:
As you can see from the table above, the yearly cost of owning this dog breed costs a whopping $2,6640 to $4,850, with an average monthly budget of $222 to $404.
Since your dog’s quality of life should be your top priority, spending as much as $900 to $1,200 on good-quality food and treats is only justifiable. The same is true for your pet’s routine vet care budget, amounting to $200 to $400.
Similarly, it is important to invest in pet insurance that may cost you $800 to $1,500, as this will help lessen veterinary expenses. Though it may seem costly at first, getting insurance is actually very wise.
Note, however, that the table above consists of estimates. Your actual yearly spending for your Bloodhound may not be exactly like this one.
Other Potential Expenses
At some point in your Bloodhound’s lifetime, you may need to shell out extra money to pay for the additional costs of owning this breed. The good news is that most of these expenses are not high-priority items and are just optional.
Here’s a list of other potential expenses for a Bloodhound:
Dog Boarding: Since you can’t just leave Bloodhounds alone at home for long periods of time, you may need to make use of dog boarding services or enroll them in dog daycares. This is essentially helpful if you get quite busy on certain days. The average cost for dog boarding is usually between $25 and $30 per day, depending on where you live and the length of your dog’s stay.
Dog Walking: Bloodhounds need a minimum of two hours of exercise every day, and since they are active dogs, they will need a lot of walking and running to exhaust their pent-up energy. Bloodhound pet owners that are quite busy may need the help of dog walkers in doing this. The hourly cost range of dog walkers is between $30 and $60, depending on your location.
Grooming Services: While Bloodhounds are generally low-maintenance dogs, they may still require professional grooming to keep them thoroughly clean. Their droopy ears are prone to ear infections, so getting them cleaned with the right tools will benefit them a lot. Professional grooming costs around $30 to $90.
Emergency Medical Procedures: Despite making sure that your Bloodhounds stay healthy, there still may be emergency medical procedures that you may encounter in your Bloodhound’s lifespan, just like other dogs. Medical costs and health tests for severe health conditions that require emergency procedures may range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Dog Dental: Ideally, you should take your Bloodhound for a routine dental cleaning every six months to a year to avoid extreme plaque build-up and, later on, dental diseases. Depending on your location and the procedure to be conducted, dental services for your dog will cost you between $300 and $700.
These other expenses may or may not apply to you. However, setting aside a budget for these expenses is still the wisest decision so that you’re prepared for when the need arises.
It is also very helpful for dog owners to put aside an emergency fund for their Bloodhounds.
Places to Find Bloodhound Puppies for Sale and Adoption
Unlike other breeds, finding a Bloodhound puppy for sale is fairly easy. The real challenge is finding a Bloodhound breeder that produces high-quality Bloodhounds.
To help you with your search, I have listed here some breeders known to offer excellent quality Bloodhound dogs. We also added in a few rescue shelters specifically for this breed.
Here’s a list of breeders where you can find a Bloodhound puppy for sale:
Buffalo Groves Bloodhound Ranch – This small breeder proudly produces healthy and quality Bloodhounds that excel as show dogs, companion pets, working dogs, and therapy dogs. Bloodhounds from this breeder are raised on a 400-acre ranch with other animals. Likewise, this Bloodhound breeder is a member of the American Kennel Club and the American Bloodhound Club.
Wychway Bloodhounds – Wychway has been breeding dogs since 1992. Their Bloodhounds are bred for soundness, health, temperament, and working ability. Puppies from this breeder have been certified and cleared for several health tests, including hip and elbow dysplasia, and checked for cardiac issues.
Bryant Bloodhounds – This Oklahoma-based Bloodhound breeder has been producing top-quality Bloodhounds that excel in tracking tasks. Their puppies are descended from their founding dog, an excellent tracker certified by the United Blood Trackers. Aside from solely breeding Bloodhounds, Bryant Bloodhounds also offer tracking training services for tracker dogs.
Aside from straight-up buying from breeders, adoption is also another way for you to have your dream Bloodhound dog. Aside from it being a noble deed, you can also save a lot when you opt for adoption.
Here are some Bloodhound shelters and rescue centers where you can find a dog for adoption:
Southeast Bloodhound Rescue – This rescue group is dedicated to finding loving homes for Bloodhounds of different backgrounds, including those that were abandoned, homeless, and those in shelters lined up for euthanasia. If you are interested in adopting a purebred dog from them, you need to prove that you are financially able to provide for the dog and that you have a completely fenced yard.
West Coast Bloodhound Rescue – This breeder’s mission is to rescue Bloodhounds with the end goal of pairing them with a new home that they can call their own. Though they mainly focus on rescuing purebred Bloodhound dogs, they occasionally have mixed breeds available. Their adoption fees range from $250 to $500, depending on the dog’s age and medical expenses it incurs while at the shelter.
Helping Hounds Dog Rescue – This rescue organization rescues homeless dogs from overcrowded shelters and matches them with new homes that they can call their own. With their team of volunteers, they are able to successfully place over 1,700 dogs each year into new homes. After you finish your adoption application, you may be required to visit the rescued dog.
In case the breeders and rescue organizations listed above didn’t work out for you, you can also check out our Bloodhound breeders recommendation for added resources in finding the pup of your dreams.
Likewise, our puppy buying guide and dog adoption guide will be very helpful in walking you through the time-consuming process of getting a dog.
Money-Saving Tips for Bloodhound Owners
As you may have concluded by now, the expenses of owning a Bloodhound can be pretty expensive. Fortunately, there are a lot of ways to cut down on Bloodhound expenses.
Here are a few money-saving and cost-effective tips that you can use as a Bloodhound owner:
Invest in pet insurance. Most dog owners disregard getting pet insurance because it seems expensive. However, if you think about it, getting one is actually a wise decision as it will help you whenever your Bloodhound has medical emergencies.
Invest in high-quality supplies. Pet owners, especially those that own large breed dogs such as a Bloodhound, should have a “quality over anything” mindset, especially when it comes to their pup’s supplies. Buying high-quality items for your dog will actually help you save more in the long run since most of these items last longer as compared to cheap ones.
Visit the vet regularly. Prevention is always better than cure. That is why it is important to make sure that your Bloodhound gets the help it needs before it can get worse. Regular check-ups will help make sure that your dog is in tip-top condition.
Prepare homemade treats. When training your Bloodhound, you may need a lot of treats to keep them engaged and motivated, which can be very expensive, especially when buying from high-end brands. There are a lot of recipes on how to make homemade treats that are available online.
While these tips are intended to help you save up, it is also important to always make sure that while doing these things, you are compromising your Bloodhound’s health and overall quality of life.
Final Thoughts
The Bloodhound price may be quite expensive, but it is totally worth it as these animals make wonderful companions that will surely stick by your side. However, it’s still best to think about owning one very thoroughly.
It is important to determine beforehand if you are financially capable of providing and sustaining the needs of these pups for the entirety of their lifetime. If not, either you go broke, or your pup will end up in shelters.
By doing so, you save the puppy and yourself from stress and undesirable outcomes. Remember, owning a Bloodhound is a lifelong responsibility that entails financial capability.
Are you ready to take home a Bloodhound? Let us know in the comments.
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