Bloodhounds: A Confusing History.
-a writ by julia jensen-

Scenthounds have been a stewarded genepool in many forms from the 6th century (& likely earlier...), we can agree that a racial type of hound populated the great French stag & boar hunts in earliest time & that they continued this appearance for centuries. For the sake of simplicity...I'm making an enormous generalisation here. I'll be focused on the Saint Hubert's Hound/Bloodhound.

The Sagax Sanguinarius hounds with their pendulous ears & profuse folds were naturally revered for their scenting/trailing skills. The Latin alone conveys a great deal..."Sagax" ('of quick perception') "Sanguinarius" ('of blood'). Please note the circa 1563 Gesner/Caius manuscript/illustration in my slide-show below: the identification of the illustration is the breed's most important accounting in terms of etymology & it's presence in Britain. The documented appearance of these majestic beasts occurs frequently in ancient manuscripts, art & literature & is thus, exceedingly helpful in creating actualism & dispelling with myth & lore associated with vehement fanciers who want their beloved breed to have it's just dessert. The simple reason for all of the ancient "media" affiliated with Scenthounds is that the nobility & their pomp, circumstance, pursuits & pleasures were illustrated. The peasantry, not really.

I shall merely reiterate my points. 1) The Scenthounds originated in France where they were intentionally stewarded for thousands of years. 2) Naturally, they ventured at the heels of their keepers (& as noble gifts) to Britain, where they were appreciated for their exceptional merits & where their type morphed as per the needs & desires of their human stewards.

The important phenotypic accounting in Conrad Gesner's monumental 16th century work "Historiae Animalium" is a sort of benchmark in establishing a root type...from which multitudes of hound "breeds" evolved. See my link to the manuscript at the Library of Congress below. The illustrations of John Caius & the writings of Gesner are compelling & exceedingly valuable to armchair doggists such as I. Both men were elite scholars who melded rather brilliantly...& though there certainly are some fanciful illustrations. They nailed the Bloodhound-type.

The Saint Hubert's Hound/Bloodhound (called "Chien de Saint-Hubert" in Europe) is a noble breed of grand antiquity & thus stands amidst the race as a candidate for foundational influence. It is Saint Hubert (656-May 30,727) himself (son of the Duke of Aquitaine) who is given credit at having established a kennel of these dogs (or something like these dogs) as he was an extreme fancier of The Hunt. With the sensitive & elegant countenance of the Saint Hubert's Hound, it is not difficult to believe that this breed owns a beginning in the hands of the royal family-Aquitaine. In fact, braces & packs of them were frequently given as gifts to the royalty -a tradition which endured for hundreds of years & was appreciated or not, according to personal preference of the recipient, fads & trends.

Bred by the monks at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert from 1000AD on-wards, I shall stop right here...as it is a vivid argument which ensues as to whether the Saint-Hubert Hound died out completely & was replaced hundreds of years ago by the Anglo Bloodhound; whether Saint Hubert/Bloodhounds are a hodge-podge of Scenthounds; or whether the advent of Fox Hunting decimated the heavy, ponderous Scenthounds completely & that the beast we adore today is merely a re-creation a'la Mary Shelley.

Anytime a domestic animal breeding pool is manipulated, it inherently becomes a cultural fermentation of the region & peoples which partook of the breeding.

One thing we shant argue is the etymology of the name "Bloodhound". We know the dog achieved his name due to his ability to effectively track a blood trail. Thus, a Bloodhound! One can count on the scholarship of John Caius (a wordist in his own right) & the Latin.

As for the nomenclature....lets look closely at the beast, under the hood so to speak. With the billowing folds of skin & long, pendulous ears, what can we make of this dog's suitability for her task? She is the perfect model. The drapery along her face is ideal for enfolding the scent, while her ears keep the scent trail framed & active. Then, there is "the shawl"...almost like a velvet plow, the ruffled skin of the muzzle & throat keep the scent netted...framing it from fern fronds & abstractions into a direct olfactory trajectory. If one closely observes the Saint Hubert's Hound on the trail of anything...one can't help but note the following: the first assessment of the scent article (or trail)( no matter how cold); & then the revelation-that moment when the dog makes an overture, seemingly to the earth itself. Then with absolute aplomb she's off! Slow & steady wins the day. Perhaps this is why we have a race of dog known for finding the trail of wounded stags & errant men alike. For nothing escapes the methodical & meticulous approach of the noble Saint Hubert's Hound.

Fondle the Crown to Visit Gesner & Caius