Choosing your hound
Bloodhound puppy or adult rescue dog?
Both routes can lead to a wonderful bloodhound. Here is how to think about which suits you.
In short: A bloodhound puppy needs enormous time, training and supervision, while an adult rescue is often past puppyhood and has a character you can see. Neither route is automatically better. Choose the one that fits your household, ask plenty of questions, and talk to Blood Hound Rescue UK about the hounds we have.
Last updated 23 October 2026
The case for an adult rescue bloodhound
Rescuing a rescue bloodhound is not always the easy option, but it can be the most rewarding. An adult dog is often past the chewing, toilet-training and sleepless nights of puppyhood, and its size, character and energy are already visible. We can tell you what we know of each hound’s nature, and match you accordingly.
Adult rescues may arrive with some baggage: perhaps a lack of training, anxiety, a love of a particular sofa. Your time and patience will help them find their place in your family pack. And, as every rescuer says, an adopted dog often seems to know that you gave them a second chance.
The case for a puppy
A puppy lets you shape your dog from the beginning, and many people love the experience. But a bloodhound puppy is also a big commitment: a large, fast-growing, mouthy puppy that needs toilet training, socialisation, careful exercise while its joints grow, and a great deal of supervision.
If you decide to buy a puppy, choose a responsible breeder who health tests the parents, lets you meet the mother, asks you plenty of questions, and will take the dog back at any time. The Kennel Club’s Assured Breeder scheme and the breed clubs are good places to start. Be wary of anyone who offers a puppy quickly with few questions.
Side by side
| Puppy | Adult rescue | |
|---|---|---|
| Time needed | Very high, every day | High, usually less intensive |
| Training | Everything from scratch | Varies, we tell you what we know |
| Personality | Develops over time | Already visible |
| Support | From your breeder | From us, before and after |
Whichever you choose, read is a bloodhound right for you? and talk to us.
What if you need to rehome your bloodhound?
Sometimes, through illness or change in circumstances, a bloodhound owner can no longer care for their dog. Please talk to us first. We can help with advice, fostering and rehoming, and we will always treat you and your dog with kindness. Our surrender form is available to download.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What is the dog’s history, age and temperament, as far as is known?
- How is the dog with children, other dogs, cats and strangers?
- What health checks have been done, and what does the vet say?
- What exercise and company does the dog need each day?
- What support is available after the dog comes home?
The first few weeks at home
Whichever route you take, the first weeks matter. Keep things calm, set a routine, give your bloodhound a quiet bed of its own and be patient about accidents or nerves. Some dogs seem to settle in a day, others take weeks or months to relax fully. Be consistent, keep walks varied and sniffy, and ask us if anything worries you.
Our approach at Blood Hound Rescue UK is simple: it is all about the dogs. We would rather take the time to find the right home than rush a placement, and we are always at the end of a phone or email after the adoption.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to get a bloodhound puppy or a rescue?
Neither is automatically better. A puppy needs a great deal of time, training and care for the first year or two. An adult rescue may come with a known temperament and some training, but may also have habits to work through. We help you to decide which suits your household.
Do rescue bloodhounds come with problems?
Some do and some do not. Rescue hounds may have had an unsettled start, so patience helps. We tell you what we know, and give support after the adoption.
More bloodhound guides
Thinking of adopting a bloodhound?
We match every rescue hound with the home that suits them best. You are very welcome to talk it through with us first.