Labloodhound

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.

Origin
Canada <> Belgium -> U.S.A.
Translation
Francis Vandersteen
This breed is also known as
Labhound
Labrador-Bloodhound

A brief presentation of the Labloodhound

A beautiful and noble breed, this cross between the beloved Labrador Retriever and the energetic St. Hubert's Hound has produced a fun-loving pet and an enthusiastic worker. Adapted to a variety of tasks, including tracking and retrieving, this breed does best in a rural environment. The eyes and ears typical of the St. Hubert's Hound are less pronounced in the Labloodhound, but remain present to some extent. Their face tends to resemble that of the Labrador, but their ears are generally much longer. Their short fur can contain shades of brown, black and white.

History of the Labloodhound

The Labloodhound is also known as the Labhound or Labrador-Bloodhound. Although the Labrador Retriever and the St. Hubert's Hound may seem somewhat similar, and both have their origins in hunting, they have a rather different history. Although it's impossible to know when, the first cross-breeding between the Labrador Retriever and the Chien de Saint-Hubert probably took place towards the end of the 20th century. At that time, people all over the world began mixing pedigree dogs to see what the results would be. Although these specific crossbred dogs are generally bred to be kept as pets, a large proportion of Labloodhounds today are used as working dogs.
        

A little of the Labrador Retriever

        
Despite its name, the Labrador Retriever is not native to Labrador, but is thought to have originated in Newfoundland. Most agree that its ancestor is the St. John's Water Dog, an extinct breed originally from Newfoundland and anecdotally more at home in the water than on land. Historically, the Labrador Retriever was used to hunt on both dry and wet land, making it a favorite of local fishermen. Of course, many still use the Labrador Retriever for this purpose today, although the breed has developed into a multitude of other disciplines. Labrador Retrievers can be seen as therapy dogs, guide dogs for the blind and even drug detectors at airports and ferry terminals. In fact, the Labrador Retriever is such a successful breed that it now features in the top ten list of popular dogs in many countries around the world.
Standard of the Labrador Retriever

A little of the Bloodhound

The Bloodhound is thought to be derived from the St. Hubert's Hound, a French breed that existed hundreds of years ago but is now extinct. These large dogs hunted wild boar and deer, and were traditionally kept by monks in monasteries. Interestingly, it is even claimed that St. Hubert's Hounds were once used to pursue criminals, their superb sense of smell making them an asset to the police at the time.
Standard of the Bloodhound

Appearance of the Labloodhound

A large, athletic dog, the Labloodhound generally adopts the best physical traits of each parent, making it a successful athlete. Their bodies are large and muscular, with adults weighing between 31 and 45 kg and heights ranging from 53 to 63 cm. Their powerful bodies and muscular limbs provide both speed and endurance. While the Labloodhound may not have the remarkably long ears and adorably drooping skin of the St. Hubert's Hound, many certainly have larger-than-average hanging ears and those same melancholy brown eyes. The Labloodhound's big black nose is clearly visible on their face. Some skin folds around the head and neck are possible, although they are rarely seen to the same extent as in a pure-bred St. Hubert. The Labloodhound's tail is long and slender, often carried straight or in the air. The Labloodhound's coat is short and dense, with brown, black or a mixture of both. White patches on the coat are not uncommon, and many will have patches on the neck and legs.

Temperament of the Labloodhound

As any Labrador Retriever owner will tell you, they're a friendly breed. Although the Labloodhound is generally slightly more reserved than its parent, it is well-rounded and social. Some will be wary of strangers and will need good socialization from an early age if they are to tolerate guests in the home. As far as their own family is concerned, Labloodhounds are a breed to be trusted and are renowned for being docile and good-natured with children, often behaving like a child-minding dog. Frustratingly, behavior problems are not uncommon in under-stimulated Labloodhounds. They are a breed in their own right and like to stay active and busy. Dogs left alone at home for long periods may well develop undesirable vices, such as howling and digging behaviors. This can be avoided by ensuring that these dogs receive plenty of exercise and remain mentally motivated. The characteristic barking and howling of the St. Hubert's Hound is usually passed on to the Labloodhound, which will make a lot of noise to alert its owner to any new activity. While this makes them superb watchdogs, it can become a problem if you live in an urban area.

Needs and activities of the Labloodhound

A Labloodhound will be an energetic dog needing regular daily exercise to keep fit and prevent the formation of bad habits. They'll enjoy long walks and runs and are likely to enjoy swimming, so they'll love going to the beach. Ball games are a good idea to help burn off excess energy. If they're exercised in a public place, you'll need to keep an eye on them as they roam to find an interesting scent. These dogs are best suited to a house with a fenced-in yard, not an apartment, as they are large and need space. With their dense coats, it's not advisable to exercise your pet in the heat of the day, but rather in the early morning or late evening.

Maintenance of the Labloodhound

Labloodhounds have dense coats and don't shed much, so they're low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They do well with occasional brushing, but need regular cleaning of their skin folds to prevent skin problems. With both parent breeds prone to ear infections, it will be crucial to check your dog's ears regularly and clean them to avoid any build-up of dirt. It's always a good idea to get into the habit of brushing his teeth regularly. This breed is likely to chew a lot, so it will be important to check for cracked teeth. It's also important to check the nails to see if they need trimming.

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