If you are looking at the bloodhound breed, then one of your primary considerations is whether or not you can afford one. How much do they cost to buy as a puppy, what other additional costs will you likely need to pay and how much can you expect them to cost you on an ongoing basis for their care? Contemplating this breed myself, I decided to spend some time researching all that is involved. I compiled it into this article for those who are interested as well!

So, how much does a bloodhound cost? The average cost of a Bloodhound puppy is around $700, although they can range from $500 all the way up to $5,000. The price is largely reflected by the pedigree of the dog, the location, the breeder you’re purchasing from and the demand for the breed in your area. Adopting is the cost-effective option, where you can expect to pay between $200-$400. Although, the bloodhound is unlikely to be a puppy.

With loose jowls, sunken eyes and a deeply furrowed face, Bloodhounds are incredibly cute. Their wrinkled appearance is all part of their charm.

In temperament they are gentle and calm; this is a lovely dog breed that has a strong character, reserved nature, and a huge sense of humor. So, if you are considering taking one home, they make an excellent choice.

Below, you’ll find more information about the factors that will largely influence what you can expect to pay. We’ll also be covering all those additional extras and ongoing costs to take into consideration.

Finally, we’ll be taking a look at your options of where to purchase one of these large dogs. So, be sure to keep reading until the end to get all the information you need!

How Much Is A Bloodhound Puppy?

The cost of a bloodhound is not fixed as it depends on a range of different factors such as: breed popularity, breeder’s location, puppy lineage, reputation, breed lines, litter size, among others.

If you were keen to take in a pup with breeding rights, you’ll have to pay a premium fee.

Your budget for a hound with an outstanding pedigree and top breed lineage will be between $1400-$5,500 or more.

Meanwhile, the average cost of a bloodhound is $700. This is what you are more likely expected to pay, so long as there is a sufficient supply from breeders in your area.

Factors That Affect The Price Of A Bloodhound

The factors that affect the price of a bloodhound include the following:

Registration Papers/Pedigree

Some breeders belong to kennel associations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) which is considered the most prestigious among them all.

Their puppies and the breeding dogs will be registered thus inflating the cost to buy one of their pups.

Mixed or Purebred:

Purebreds are usually sold at higher prices than mixed-breeds and this is somewhat fair – it is generally harder to produce pups of this type.

A mixed breed is a dog that has been produced by two different breeds, whereas a purebred is a pup from two dogs of the same breed.

Pure breeds are therefore more ‘authentic’, and closer to the breed standard. While pure breeds are also more challenging to produce due to dog availability.

Medical Expenses And Health Screening:

Health-conscious breeders will take their breeding dogs and pups to the vet for evaluation on various health challenges.

This singular act will inflate the price as they will likely be passing it on to you. The breeders want to make sure that the potential dog owners do not purchase an unhealthy dog.

Some breeders take it a step further to vaccinate the puppy, deworm or insert a microchip implant before selling.

There is a popular school of thought that says that a breeder who invests in their dog’s health should be trusted, and that the dog tends to live with lower risk of health complications and issues down the line.

Age

The age of a dog also affects the cost because a lot of people prefer to buy a young puppy. Generally, the younger they are the more expensive they will be.

For instance, a 7-month old puppy will generally cost less than a 2-months old puppy.

Breed Popularity In The Buyer’s Geographical Location

The law of demand and supply is also in play . If the inhabitants of your community are all buying a bloodhound in the city you decide to get yours, the price will be inflated because the demand is high.

For instance, smaller dogs tend to be popular in the city among people who stay in smaller houses and apartments and the same can be said for bigger dogs in urban areas.

In situations like this, if you want to still go with the popular demand, the price will be high.

Coat Markings and Color

When it comes to dog breeds, some colors are more popular than some and color trends usually change rapidly.

Once the public generate interest in a specific color, the price of the puppy with the in-demand color will skyrocket due to the huge demand.

Also, most kennel associations require that dog owners own a particular purebred dog with a specific color or color combination which is why puppies with uncommon colors or color combinations are expensive.

For the bloodhound specifically, they are available in the following colors:

Black
Liver
Liver and Tan
Red
Black and Tan

Depending on what is popular and available at the time you buy one, and what you would prefer, will therefore impact the price you should expect to pay.

Initial Costs Of Owning A Bloodhound

As a potential dog owner, you’ll need to get a range of supplies and accessories in order to properly and appropriately take care of them.

So let’s check out what the initial investment will likely cost.

We’ve factored in the typical range, and averaged this out so you know what a fair price is to pay:

Supplies	Range	Average Cost
Dog collars (x2)	$10 – $40	$20
ID Tag (with mobile number)	$5 – $20	$10
Leash	$10 – $30	$15
Water and Food Bowl	$10 – $40	$20
Dog Bed	$30 – $110	$60
Pooper Scooper	$10 – $30	$20
Dog Crate	$50 – $165	$90
Plastic Poop Bags (~1000)	$15 – $110	$55
House Training Pads (75/100)	$15 – $45	$25
Odors and Stain Removal Spray	$5 – $20	$10
Brush	$5 – $45	$15
Toys	$50 – 155	$90
Dog Shampoo	$5 – $20	$10
First-Aid Kit	$15 – $50	$30
Toenail Clippers	$5 – $30	$15
Tooth Brushing Kit	$5 – $15	$10
First Year	$245 – $925	Total = $495

Most of the supplies here are commonly available at pet stores and online marketplaces like Amazon.

In fact, Amazon is particularly useful as you can see your cart value before you get to the till and you can adjust depending on your budget.

Plus, they have pretty much every supply you will need and you can even benefit from prime delivery to ensure you get the items the same/next day.

Just take into account the supply list above is not exhaustive. While we have tried to cover the main ones, you may have a few others that you may want to add to the list.

Child gates for example are commonly used by dog owners, but are not required by all.

Ongoing Costs Of Owning A Bloodhound

Aside from the initial costs that are listed above, here are some of the ongoing costs that you may incur as a potential dog owner.

Health Care

You’ll have to take your hound for routine checks with the vet at least once or twice annually.

Also included are lab tests, vaccines, wellness checks, and dental care which could cost between $700 and $1500 yearly depending on your breed and your geographical location.

It’s important to note that emergencies and prescription drugs are not included in the above estimate.

Food

Irregardless of whether you feed your dog a raw food diet or dry food from a reputable brand, your yearly food expenditure can be between $130 to $950.

Grooming

A clean dog is a healthy dog which is why you must ensure that your dog is properly groomed.

You can either get a brush for as low as $25 or pay as high as $900 yearly to maintain the looks of your hound.

Toy and Treats

Most dogs are used to playing with sock and old tennis balls.

However, a lot of dog owners in this news age are purchasing more sophisticated toys and treats with amazing nutritional value thus spending between $35 and $250 yearly on treats and toys.

There is also training, licensing, crates, leashes, dog walkers, supplements, and emergency vet costs.

Additional Costs That Come With A Bloodhound

Additional Costs	Range	Average Costs
Microchip	$25 – $50	$40
Dog Boarding (Daily)	$25 – $85	$40
Dog Walking (Per Walk)	$15 – $25	$20
License	$10 – $20	$15
Total	$75 – $180	$115

Microchip

Microchips are mandatory in some U.S States and the cost range from $25 to $50. It is used to create an exclusive means of identification for your dog which allows them to be on emergency and medical databases.

Dog Boarding

Should you wish to travel, you can drop off your bloodhound with a dog boarding service provider for a meager sum of $25 to $85 per day, depending on the services you want, the time of the year, and your location.

During the festivity period, like the holidays, thanksgiving, and other busy times of the year, you’ll be required to book the dog boarding service provider ahead of time to get discounts.

However, if you’re low on cash, you could ask some of your friends if they would be willing to look after your dog while you’re out of town to enable you to save costs.

Veterinary Costs For A Bloodhound Puppy During The First Year

In the first year of raising your pup, you’re advised to take him to the vet at least three times and the first visit should occur once he is about 8 weeks old.

The cost of each trip is pegged between $65 to $170.

These vet visitations will cover vaccines, flea prevention, heartworm prevention, physical examination, and fecal examination.

After the three visitations, you’ll need to continue your vet visits to prevent flea and heartworm and these will cost an additional $75 to $120 and $100 to $125 for the rest of the year.

Furthermore, your bloodhound may require more vaccina