Few breeds of dog can claim the rich and colorful history that distinguishes the scenthounds from other members of the canine clan. In fact, of the many breeds of dog existing in this modern world, the hound is the most ancient. Dating back to the pre-Christian era over 4,000 years ago, hound development intertwines with that of man into a most important human/canine evolution.

The very namehound—orBloodhound—conjures up impressive, vivid images: a massive animal with its nose to the ground, relentlessly tracking man or beast; a large and threatening dog in determined pursuit of some unseen quarry, whether victim or villain; a ferocious canine beast frothing to attack its prey.

The Bloodhound indeed may be its own combination of these romantic images. The name Bloodhound does not mean “bloodthirsty beast,” as some believe the term implies. The name is derived from the term “blooded hound,” which means a dog of pure breeding whose genes, or “blood,” is untainted by other breeds of dog.

The Bloodhound as a specific breed was originally developed and bred centuries ago at the famed St. Hubert Monastery in the mountainous Ardennes region of France. The Bloodhound strain was then perpetuated by church clerics and those members of the nobility who fancied hunting and prized the hounds for their unique abilities.

From 1932, this photo shows Bloodhounds that were actual police dogs owned and used by the Chief Constable of Sussex (England).

Thanks to the monastic bent for keeping records through the ages, we have documentation of the hounds that are direct ancestors of the dog we know today as the Bloodhound. In fact, recorded history dating back to 4000 BC offers evidence of massive hound-type canines that were used as war dogs as well as hunting dogs.

The Greek historian Herodotus, born in the 5th century BC, in his account of the Graeco-Persian wars wrote of the dogs’ great value during times of both peace and war. Stone artwork from that era also substantiates historical data showing Bloodhound-type dogs with long tails curled over the back. Herodotus reported that the dogs were especially prized by the monarchs of Mesopotamia (known today as Iraq) and other regions of western Asia.

Another stone carving, dating back even further, to the 7th century BC, and found in the royal palace at Nineveh, the ancient capital of Assyria, depicts powerful hunting dogs who possessed the heavy heads and pendulous ears typical of the Bloodhound.

These dogs’ importance to their culture extended far beyond the battlefield. Their scenting prowess and trailing abilities were essential to the food chain, since hunting for food provisions was as vital to survival as was victory in war. So it is understandable that such dogs were highly prized by royalty as well as commoners.

The migration of the hounds into western Europe in later centuries continues to be a matter of speculation. Historians theorize that warriors and migrants took their dogs with them as they migrated into France and England. The Romans described finding magnificent hounds with superb scenting ability when they arrived in Britain in 55 BC. These hounds pursued their quarry with a perseverance unmatched by any others they had seen.

Those same hounds were introduced to the French monastery by the crusaders returning from the east, crusaders who also brought other new kinds of animals, new ideas and philosophies. Named the St. Hubertus Branchen, after the monks at that monastery, these hounds were powerful, heavily built dogs, of medium height, who were somewhat long in body. They possessed excellent noses coupled with extraordinary hunting ability. Most were all black with red or fawn markings over their eyes and on their legs, and occasional white marks on the chest. The hounds had superior cold-trailing ability and are the progenitors of all scenthounds known in history or existing now.