Meet a breed you might know only from movies or TV shows
By Kim Campbell Thornton
Andrews McMeel Syndication
Sound the trumpet! A bloodhound has become the first of his breed to win the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. GCHB CH Flessner’s Toot My Own Horn -- Trumpet to his friends -- stole the show from a competitive lineup that included a Samoyed, a French bulldog, an English setter, a Maltese named Hollywood, a German shepherd and a Lakeland terrier.
Not surprisingly, Trumpet has winning in his blood. His great-grandfather, Tigger, once held the Guinness World Record for longest ears, at 13.75 inches for the right ear and 13.5 inches for the left ear. Tigger was also inducted into the Bloodhound Hall of Fame in 2003, with more than 180 Best of Breed awards and other titles. Trumpet’s grandfather, GCH Flessner’s International S’Cess (Nathan), took Best in Show at the 2014 National Dog Show.
When you think bloodhound, you probably picture a sleuth and the droopy-faced dogs baying as they chase individuals who have escaped from prison, or methodically following a trail that will lead them to a lost person. Both images are pop culture icons, but what you might not know is that bloodhounds can also be companion dogs -- for the right person or family. But before you decide to bring one home, consider these five factors: personality, size, activity level, odor and slobber.
If your only exposure to the breed is Duke on reruns of “The Beverly Hillbillies” or, more recently, Ladybird, the bloodhound on the animated show “King of the Hill,” you may imagine that these dogs spend their days lying around, occasionally thumping their tail. That impression is ... wrong. Bloodhounds are bred to think on their own four feet, not to do what some person tells them. Their nose is in charge, and they follow its directives.
Bloodhounds also have the size to back up their desire to do their own thing -- that is, follow their nose. Some stand more than 2 feet at the shoulder and weigh more than 100 pounds. Without early, positive training -- or even with it -- they’re a lot of dog to handle and can easily knock over toddlers, seniors or anyone else in their way when following a scent.
They are moderately active. Bloodhounds trail their quarry for miles, often over rough terrain. Just because yours is a family companion, not a working dog, doesn’t mean you can get away without exercising him.
Besides appropriate levels of physical exercise -- the amount needed varies by age -- bloodhounds thrive on mental exercise, too, from puzzle toys at home to dog sports such as tracking (ability to follow human scent and find scent articles such as gloves or wallets along the way), trailing (ability to distinguish and follow one person’s scent and find that person) and nosework (ability to locate specific nonhuman scents).
Speaking of scent, bloodhounds have a distinctive body odor, often described as musty, and it can’t be bathed away. You may love it or hate it, so get a whiff before you decide on this breed.
Last but definitely not least, bloodhounds are often nicknamed slobberhounds for the copious amounts of drool they produce. When they shake their massive heads, drool flies long distances, spattering walls and ceilings, furniture, clothing -- and likely your face if you happen to be in the vicinity. Well-prepared bloodhound people keep a slobber towel always at hand to wipe their dogs’ faces -- or their own.
So why would anyone get a bloodhound? They’re funny, sensitive, tolerant, dignified, interesting and complicated. For people who love their unique traits and sense of humor, appreciate their differences, and can meet their special needs when it comes to training, activity and drool, bloodhounds can trail their way into their hearts and homes.
Q&A
What is feline
hyperthyroidism?
Q: The vet says my cat might have hyperthyroidism. What should I know about this disease?
A: Hyperthyroidism -- high levels of thyroid hormones circulating in the blood -- was first reported some 40 years ago. It’s commonly seen in senior cats, both males and females, of any breed or mix.
Among the numerous signs that can indicate hyperthyroidism are unexplained weight loss (the primary clinical sign), increased appetite (another classic sign), irritability, depression, vomiting, diarrhea and a ratty-looking coat. But some cats with hyperthyroidism are energetic and have an increased appetite, so it doesn’t occur to their people that there might be anything wrong with them. A clue: It’s not normal for a 15-year-old cat to suddenly become active.
Depending on the individual cat, signs range from mild to severe, and they can be very different from cat to cat. Classic signs combined with lab work showing significantly elevated levels of thyroid hormone (T4, or thyroxine, and free T4, which is thyroxine not bound to a protein in the blood) is conclusive. In cats with elevated T4 who are not yet showing signs, a veterinarian may suggest monitoring for weight loss and other symptoms, then retesting.
Cats with hyperthyroidism are prone to hypertension (high blood pressure), which can lead to more serious problems, such as kidney failure or heart disease, so treatment is important. Options include administration of radioactive iodine (I-131), surgical removal of the thyroid gland (thyroidectomy) or antithyroid medication given for the rest of the cat’s life.
The treatment your veterinarian recommends depends on factors such as your cat’s age and general health, the presence of other diseases (known as comorbidities) and your budget. Ask your veterinarian to go over all the options with you to make the best decision for yourself and your cat. -- Dr. Marty Becker
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker.
THE BUZZ
Pet numbers
continue to rise
-- Numbers of companion dogs and cats have increased, as have the percentages of households keeping them as pets, but there are fewer pets per household, according to a survey released last November by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Many of the new pets -- 40% of cats and 38% of dogs in 2020 -- were adopted from animal shelters. The population of pet dogs was estimated at between 83.7 million and 88.9 million last year, up 9% to 16% from 2016, the last time the survey was performed. The population of pet cats was estimated at between 60 million and 61.9 million, up from 58.4 million in the previous survey.
-- Want to teach your bird to talk? Not all parrots talk, but some birds end up with incredible vocabularies. Teaching a parrot to talk is best done by repeating words or phrases clearly on a regular basis. Using words in their proper context sets up an association that makes it easier for your bird to learn. For instance, every time your bird lowers his head for a scratch, say, “Want a scratch?” and then follow through. When you give certain fruits or toys, call them by name. Say, “Apple” or “Spoons,” then praise him when he takes the item from you. Most important, consider talking a bonus, not a requirement. If you really want a talking bird, buy one you know talks already.
-- Famed 19th-century writer Mark Twain (aka Samuel Clemens) was a cat lover of the highest order. Twain’s friend Joseph Twichell once said that Twain “could scarcely meet a cat on the street without stopping to make its acquaintance.” Twain was also quoted as saying, “When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction.” -- Dr. Marty Becker, Kim Campbell Thornton and Mikkel Becker
ABOUT PET CONNECTION
Pet Connection is produced by a team of pet care experts. Veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker is founder of the Fear Free organization, co-founder of VetScoop.com and author of many best-selling pet care books. Kim Campbell Thornton is an award-winning journalist and author who has been writing about animals since 1985. Mikkel Becker is a behavior consultant and lead animal trainer for Fear Free Pets. Dr. Becker can be found at Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker or on Twitter at DrMartyBecker. Kim Campbell Thornton is at Facebook.com/Kim.CampbellThornton and on Twitter at kkcthornton. Mikkel Becker is at Facebook.com/MikkelBecker and on Twitter at MikkelBecker.