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Bloodhounds are an ancient breed dating back to medieval Europe, and they are known to be one of the first races ever that have been bred with regard to pure bloodlines.
The first breeder is said to have been St. Hubertus, a Belgian monk in the 11th century, which explains the alternative name of the bloodhounds – Chien St. Hubert. Initially they were bred for hunting, as scenthounds and as companions for noble people. They were rare and extraordinary precious because of the extremely well developed sense of smell and due to their dignified appearance.
The origin of the name Bloodhound is not quite clear. It could be due to their exclusiveness as a pure-blood race for people from noble bloodlines, or due to their function as scenthounds finding the hunter's bag.
Bloodhounds still do have the best sense of smell of all dogs and are known to be very distinctive. They are still a rare race, especially in Europe where they can be found mainly in Belgium and France. They are more popular in the United States and in Canada, where they are used not only as companions but also as rescue and police dogs.
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