How Much Does A Bloodhound Cost? [Complete Owners Price Guide]

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 vaccinations due to their lifestyle and activities.

• Lyme Vaccine: If you reside on a farm or in a wooden area or perhaps you like camping around wooden areas, you’ll need to vaccinate your dog against ticks and it usually costs between $60 and $80 for two doses.
• Leptospirosis Vaccine: Your bloodhound will need to take this shot if he has been exposed to wildlife or went on a hiking and camping trip with you. This shot cost between $15 to $25.
• Influenza Vaccine: If your dog is kept in a kennel or is boarded for a long period and the boarding administrators require that your bloodhound be given the influenza shot to mitigate any incoming outbreak, it will cost you $70 to $90 for two doses.

As your bloodhound continues to grow, a spaying or neutering procedure will be required.

This is necessary because spaying helps to eradicate breast tumors and uterine infection in canines which can cause cancer in dogs.

Spaying your dog before she experiences her first heat is a good protection layer against the above-mentioned illnesses.

In the same vein, neutering your male bloodhound will help prevent testicular cancer and other prostate ailments.

The cost for spaying and neutering procedure is between $200 and $500.

However, the cost is dependent on the clinics within your locality. Some local clinics charge between $50 and $100, so it depends on your vicinity.

Meanwhile, female spay procedures are usually more expensive.

Veterinary Costs For The Following Years With A Bloodhound

After the maiden year, you’ll need to schedule another visit to the vet so your bloodhound can be thoroughly examined to detect hidden illnesses affecting their health.

These through check-up cost between $125 and $265.

Where To Buy A Bloodhound

You generally have two options when it comes to buying a bloodhound; you can either go directly to a breeder, or you can contact or visit an adoption/rescue shelter and see if they have any available.

Breeder

If you do decide to buy a bloodhound from a breeder, then it comes strongly recommended and advised to do your research and due diligence ahead of time.

Look into the history and track record of each breeder and ensure that they are complying with ethical and moral breeding practices.

Talk to your local authorities and be sure to hold multiple conversations with several breeders. Get a good understanding before you decide to take one home.

Equally, if you see a price that is too good to be true, then it usually is. This is usually a red flag and one to definitely be cautious of.

That being said, if you are looking for pet, you should not need to pay in excess of $2000 . Unless of course you have the budget, there is a lack of supply and you are really keen to bring one home with superior lineage.

As always, it is advised to go through the recommended channels , such as the AKC.

You can see all registered bloodhound breeders on their site here.

Here you can get all the contact information for all the breeders. Its a good approach to take and ensure they have been vetted by a prestigious authority.

Animal Rescue/Shelter

There are little over 14,000 pet adoption shelters located all across the United States, although you will likely have some local to you in your area.

A simple Google search of “bloodhound shelter near me” should help you start out.

You can also visit sites like the Pet Shelter or AdoptaPet to search for bloodhounds whom may be up for adoption in your area. Its always worth checking as you never know what may be available!

The Bottom Line

As you can see, buying a bloodhound and taking care of them does not come cheap. In fact, outside of a few other significant lifetime purchases, they are one of the most expensive things you can buy.

They are also a commitment; this breed in particular has an average lifespan for 10-12 years. So, you’ll need to think about the true cost of owning one over their full lifetime.

That being said, these costs are not limited to the bloodhounds. The truth is all dogs are expensive.

Adopting is usually the cost-effective approach, but it does come with its challenges and you are not benefiting from that cute puppy stage, and the ability to make your dog completely your own (without the imprint of a previous owner).

Either way, owning a bloodhound is as rewarding, enriching, and fulfilling as it gets; they give an enormous amount of unconditional love and loyalty.

If you are interested in this particular breed, then be sure to read my following Bloodhound guides:

• How Big Do Bloodhounds Get? [Average Height, Weight and Size]
• Are Bloodhounds Aggressive? [What Owners Will Want To Know]
• Do Bloodhounds Shed? [When, Why And How To Manage]