How often should I groom a Bloodhound?

A weekly brush is generally enough to manage the coat itself, but the skin folds and ears need checking more often, ideally every few days, since they are more prone to problems than the coat is to heavy shedding.

Why do Bloodhounds get skin infections?

Their distinctive loose, wrinkled skin creates folds that trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to irritation or infection if not cleaned and dried regularly. Gently wiping between the folds is an important part of routine care for the breed.

Do Bloodhounds need their ears cleaned often?

Yes, their long, heavy ears hang close to the head with very little air circulation, making the breed genuinely prone to ear infections. Regular checks and gentle cleaning with a vet-approved product help catch problems early, well before your dog becomes visibly uncomfortable about it.

Do Bloodhounds shed?

Yes, Bloodhounds shed, and they do so fairly steadily throughout the year rather than in one or two dramatic seasonal moults. Their short, dense coat is not as heavy a shedder as some double-coated breeds, but between the shedding, the loose folded skin and the long ears, grooming a Bloodhound is about more than just brushing out loose hair.

How much a Bloodhound actually sheds

The breed's short, dense coat sheds at a fairly consistent, moderate rate through the year, without the two big seasonal 'coat blow' periods seen in heavily double-coated breeds like huskies or German Shepherds. A weekly brush is generally enough to keep loose hair under control on most Bloodhounds.

Shedding can pick up somewhat around seasonal changes, as with most breeds, but it rarely reaches the level of hair that owners of thicker double-coated dogs deal with, which is a relief given how much else there is to manage with this breed's skin and ears.

The loose skin needs its own attention

A Bloodhound's distinctive loose, wrinkled skin creates folds that can trap moisture, dirt and skin oils, which makes them prone to skin fold irritation and infection if not cleaned regularly. Gently wiping between the folds, particularly around the face and neck, and drying them properly, matters as much as brushing the coat itself.

Left unchecked, a dirty skin fold can develop a sore, unpleasant-smelling infection, so this is a genuinely important part of routine grooming for the breed rather than an optional extra.

Long ears bring their own routine

The breed's long, heavy, pendulous ears hang close to the head and get little air circulation, which makes Bloodhounds prone to ear infections if the ears are not checked and cleaned regularly. Look inside for redness, odour or discharge as part of a normal grooming routine.

A gentle, vet-approved ear cleaner used as directed helps keep the ear canal healthy, and catching an ear problem early is far easier to manage than waiting until your dog is clearly bothered by it.

Drool is a separate issue, but often mentioned in the same breath

Bloodhounds are known for drooling, particularly around meal times or when excited, which is not related to shedding or the coat at all but is worth knowing about alongside it, since it is another regular part of caring for the breed. Keeping a cloth handy and wiping the jowls after meals or water helps manage it day to day.

None of this is a reason to avoid the breed — Bloodhounds are famously gentle, affectionate dogs — but going in with a realistic picture of the grooming, skin, ear and drool routine involved makes for a much smoother start than discovering it all in the first few weeks.

Kit for this breed

Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.

Microfibre Pet Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe that soaks up the wet fast after baths, swims and walks.

From£10.99

Absorbent Microfibre Dog Drying Robe

A super-absorbent microfibre drying robe with a handy front pocket to dry your dog off fast.

From£13.99

Large Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush for Mats and Tangles

A self-cleaning slicker brush with fine, bead-tipped wire pins that gently lift loose undercoat, mats and tangles from short or long-haired pets. A one-click button releases the collected fur for fuss-free cleaning. Cat-ear shaped design.

£18.99

Browse all of Knowledge Hub →

Common questions

How often should I groom a Bloodhound?: A weekly brush is generally enough to manage the coat itself, but the skin folds and ears need checking more often, ideally every few days, since they are more prone to problems than the coat is to heavy shedding.
Why do Bloodhounds get skin infections?: Their distinctive loose, wrinkled skin creates folds that trap moisture and dirt, which can lead to irritation or infection if not cleaned and dried regularly. Gently wiping between the folds is an important part of routine care for the breed.
Do Bloodhounds need their ears cleaned often?: Yes, their long, heavy ears hang close to the head with very little air circulation, making the breed genuinely prone to ear infections. Regular checks and gentle cleaning with a vet-approved product help catch problems early, well before your dog becomes visibly uncomfortable about it.

Sources

Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.

Blue Cross — Pet advice

Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.