The Bloodhound is a very large scent hound with the most powerful nose of any dog, famous for its long ears, loose wrinkled skin and droopy, soulful eyes. At roughly 36 to 50 kilos, it is a gentle, affectionate and patient dog, wonderfully friendly, but also stubborn and utterly ruled by its nose. It drools, and it is a big, powerful animal that will happily follow a scent for miles once it locks on.
Bloodhounds reach Sydney and NSW rescue when their size, drool, stubbornness and that incredible nose are underestimated. A Bloodhound on a scent is effectively deaf to recall and strong enough to drag an owner along, and the breed needs space, exercise, secure containment, and regular ear and skin care. Some are surrendered when the reality of living with a giant scent hound sets in. Purebred Bloodhounds are uncommon here and appear alongside Bloodhound crosses, and the temperament of a cross varies, so the foster carer or shelter assessment of the individual dog with people, children and other animals matters more than the breed label.
A Bloodhound suits an experienced owner with space and secure, high fencing, who can handle a large, strong, stubborn dog, provide scent-based exercise, and manage the drool and ear care that come with the breed. In the right home it is a gentle, loyal and characterful companion. Browse the Bloodhounds and Bloodhound crosses currently listed from rescues and shelters across Sydney and New South Wales.
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Need to rehome a Bloodhound?
If you can no longer keep your Bloodhound, listing it for rehoming on LocalPetFinder connects it directly with adopters across Sydney and NSW, and keeps it out of a shelter. It is free.
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Where can I adopt a Bloodhound near me in Sydney?
LocalPetFinder lists Bloodhounds available for adoption from rescues across Sydney and New South Wales, including the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, Northern Beaches, Western Sydney and the Sutherland Shire. Rescues that regularly take in dogs of this type include RSPCA NSW at Yagoona and Animal Welfare League NSW at Kemps Creek, alongside foster-based groups. Listings update regularly, so browse the Bloodhounds above and apply directly through the rescue.
Are there Bloodhound rescues near Sydney?
Yes. Several Sydney and NSW rescues regularly have Bloodhounds and Bloodhound crosses, including RSPCA NSW, Animal Welfare League NSW, Sydney Dogs and Cats Home, Monika's Doggie Rescue and Maggie's Rescue, plus breed-focused foster networks. A dedicated single-breed rescue is not always active, so the fastest path is to set an alert here and watch the general rescues. Use LocalPetFinder to see which rescues currently have Bloodhounds available near you.
Are these Bloodhounds for sale in Sydney?
Not for sale, for adoption, which is usually the better deal. Every Bloodhound here comes from a Sydney or NSW rescue, not a breeder or classified seller, and the adoption fee already includes desexing, vaccination and microchipping. That fee is typically a few hundred dollars, against often several thousand from a breeder with none of the vet work done. If you searched "bloodhound for sale sydney", adopting gets you a vetted dog for a fraction of the price.
Where can I buy a Bloodhound in Sydney, and should I?
You can buy from a registered breeder, but it is worth weighing against adoption first. A reputable breeder often charges several thousand dollars and may have a waitlist, while a rescue Bloodhound costs a few hundred dollars fully vetted and may be available now. Be cautious of cheap "for sale" ads on classified sites and marketplaces, which are a known hotspot for scams and backyard breeding. The ACCC Scamwatch has documented deposit scams for pets that do not exist. For most Sydney families, adopting a rescue Bloodhound is cheaper, faster and gives a dog in need a home.
What health problems do Bloodhounds have?
As a deep-chested giant breed, the most urgent one to know is bloat, also called gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening emergency where the stomach twists, so it is worth learning the signs and discussing feeding management with your vet. The long ears trap moisture and are prone to chronic ear infections, so they need regular cleaning, and hip and elbow dysplasia occur in a dog this size. The droopy eyelids can also develop problems such as entropion or ectropion. A rescue Bloodhound arrives desexed, vaccinated, microchipped and vet-checked, and any known issue is noted on the listing. Ask your vet about bloat awareness and ear care.
Are Bloodhounds good family dogs?
They are famously gentle, patient and affectionate, and many are good with children, but their sheer size and bulk mean you must supervise them around small kids who could be knocked over. They are stubborn rather than naturally obedient, so patient, reward-based training and early socialisation help. This is a big dog with a big heart that suits a family ready for its size and needs. Each rescue notes how the individual dog has gone with children and other animals in foster or shelter care.
How much exercise does a Bloodhound need, and can it go off-lead?
Bloodhounds need good daily exercise, ideally scent-based, such as long sniffy walks and tracking games that use the nose, but the honest answer on off-lead is no. Once a Bloodhound picks up a scent it ignores recall and is strong enough to pull away, so it should be walked on a harness and lead and only allowed to run in fully fenced areas. In a Sydney summer, exercise in the cool of the early morning or evening, carry water, and keep year-round paralysis tick prevention up if you walk in bushland or coastal areas.
How do I stop a Bloodhound escaping?
Containment is critical, because a Bloodhound following its nose can travel a very long way before it looks up. You need secure, high, dig-proof fencing and self-latching gates, and you should always walk the dog on a well-fitted harness and lead rather than trusting recall. Keep your NSW Pet Registry microchip details up to date so the dog can be reunited with you quickly if it does get out. A rescue Bloodhound from an experienced foster carer will often come with notes on how strong that dog's escape and scent drive is.