Bloodhound Prices Australia

Bloodhounds are a unique breed, famous for their floppy ears and keen noses, as well as their laid-back personality and unwavering loyalty. But while they make great pets, it’s important to consider the financial side of ownership before bringing a Bloodhound home! From the upfront purchase price to the ongoing costs of food, vet care, and more, owning a Bloodhound requires careful budgeting, and to help you decide whether you’re up to the challenge, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about the costs involved.

How Much Does a Bloodhound Cost in Australia?

The first cost you’ll need to cover is actually getting your Bloodhound, and prices will vary depending on whether you go through a registered breeder or an adoption shelter. Buying a Bloodhound from a registered breeder will come with an average price tag of $2,000 to $4,500, while adoption fees are much lower, at around $200 – $600.

You might also stumble upon cheaper listings, but if the price seems low, there’s a good chance the puppies are being sold by an unregistered breeder who won’t follow the best breeding practices. This means the puppies could suffer from serious health or behavioural issues, so while it might save you money upfront, you could end up with hefty bills later. The best way of making sure you’re getting a healthy, happy Bloodhound puppy is by buying from a registered breeder or a rescue group.

Average Price of a Bloodhound When Buying Through a Registered Bloodhound Breeder in Australia

If you choose to buy your Bloodhound through a registered breeder, you can expect to spend between $2,000 and $4,500. There are a few different factors that go into the final price tag, including the puppy bloodline, and we’ll touch on these in more detail later. But, as an example, a Bloodhound puppy that has undergone several health screenings and has a champion lineage will be priced more toward the $4,500 mark than a pet-quality dog.

Average Price of a Bloodhound When Buying Through an Adoption Shelter in Australia

You’ve also got the option of adopting a Bloodhound, which comes with a much lower price tag of around $200 – $600 in adoption fees. These fees also cover things like vaccinations, microchipping, and desexing, so you’re saving on some initial vet costs as well as giving a Bloodhound in need their forever home. However, as with all rescue centres, there’s never a guarantee that you’ll actually find a Bloodhound straight away, which means adopting comes with a little more patience than buying through a breeder.

Factors Influencing the Cost of a Bloodhound

As you can see, the price range of buying a Bloodhound is pretty wide. But what actually goes into determining the final cost? Here’s what you need to know:

Breeder Reputation

A registered breeder with years of experience in ethical breeding practices and excellent health guarantees will charge more. This is simply because the costs of these health checks, vaccinations, and everything else a Bloodhound pup needs to get the best possible start in life need to be picked up in the price. Likewise, a good breeder will have invested in making sure the parent dogs are happy and healthy and that they’re from the strongest possible gene pool, all of which come at costs reflected in the price of the puppies.

Bloodline

Bloodhounds are famous for their exceptional sense of smell, and puppies bred from working or competition-winning tracking dogs tend to be more expensive. This is especially true if the parents have a strong lineage in scent-trailing work or competitive tracking, and breeders are more likely to charge a higher price for puppies with this bloodline.

Breed Standards

Some breeders focus on producing Bloodhounds that closely match the breed standards set by Dogs Australia, in addition to working and show-winning bloodlines. Puppies that exhibit these “ideal breed traits” tend to have a higher price tag because of their superior conformation and potential for competition.

Demand

Believe it or not, demand also plays a big role in pricing. Bloodhounds aren’t as commonly bred in Australia as some other large dog breeds, and their relative rarity means that if there’s a high demand but only a few litters available, the prices will be much higher towards the $4,500 mark, especially for puppies from well-regarded breeders.

Costs of Essentials for Your Bloodhound

Before your Bloodhound comes into their new home, you’ll need to pick up some essential supplies for them to fit in comfortably. Here’s what to budget for:

• Dog crate: $150 – $250 for a large crate roomy enough for a Bloodhound to use for training and as a comfy retreat.
• Dog bed: $100 – $180 for a supportive, well-cushioned bed that will help protect their joints while they rest.
• Dog collar/lead: $50 – $90 for a sturdy collar and lead set capable of withstanding the pull force of a large breed that leads with their nose!
• Feeding bowl: $20 – $50 for a slow-feeder bowl made from ceramic or stainless steel to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Dog toothbrush: $15 – $40 for a toothbrush and enzymatic toothpaste to keep plaque at bay and prevent costly dental issues.
• Dog car harness: $60 – $100 for a crash-tested harness large enough to fit securely and keep your Bloodhound safe while you’re driving.
• Puppy treats: $20 – $40 per month to practice positive reinforcement and offer long-lasting chews for downtime.
• Puppy training pads: $25 – $50 to protect your floors and direct your puppy where to go to the toilet during early house training.
• Dog shampoo & conditioner: $40 – $60 for a hypoallergenic shampoo that will effectively clean their fur without irritating the skin.
• Dog nail clippers, brushes, & combs: $50 – $80 for a good set of brushes to help with shedding and clippers to keep their claws in check.

Bloodhound Maintenance Costs

The costs don’t end at purchase price or essential items! There are also ongoing maintenance costs to think about before you decide a Bloodhound is the right choice for your home, and we’ll unpack these below.

How Much Does it Cost to Feed a Bloodhound?

Bloodhounds are large, active dogs, and they need a decent amount of food to keep their energy levels up! An adult Bloodhound should weigh between 40kg – 55kg and will eat around 500g – 800g per day, which means your dog food costs can range from $90 to $450 based on these diets:

• Cost per day on a dry kibble diet: $3 – $7 for a high-quality dry mix that provides balanced nutrition.
• Cost per day on a wet food diet: $5 – $12 for a premium canned or fresh-prepared wet food made with real meat and no fillers.
• Cost per day on a raw diet: $8 – $15 for a custom raw diet made up of meats, organs, bones, vegetables, and added vitamins and minerals.

We should note that these prices are just estimates, and the total cost of your monthly dog food bill will depend on your Bloodhound’s size and health, as well as the brand of food you choose. It’s always best to speak with your vet before deciding which diet to go with and to get proper portion advice.

How Much Will Veterinary Care Typically Cost for a Bloodhound?

Routine vet care is another part of Bloodhound ownership that you’ll need to budget for each year, and these preventive measures will help make sure your dog has the healthiest life possible:

Cost of Routine Preventative Care

• Annual vet checkups: $100 – $180 for a general checkup to stop any health issues early on, check their weight, and offer wellness advice.
• Vaccinations: $150 – $250 per year to protect your pup against common canine diseases, including parvovirus and kennel cough.
• Worming and parasite treatment: $20 – $40 per month to keep your dog free of fleas, ticks, worms, and other nasty parasites.
• Dental cleaning: $300 – $600 every few years to professionally clean your Bloodhound’s teeth under anaesthesia.
• Pet insurance: $60 – $120 per month, depending on coverage levels, to help cover unexpected medical bills and emergencies.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for a Bloodhound’s Grooming

Even though Bloodhounds have short coats that are fairly low maintenance, they still require regular grooming, and this comes with another cost you’ll need to be comfortable covering. Across different grooming services, here’s what you can expect to spend:

• Hydrobath prices: $40 – $70 for a deep cleaning bath that will remove tough dirt and grime, keeping your Bloodhound smelling fresh.
• Full groom prices: $80 – $150 for a bath, blow dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, and general tidy up.
• Ear cleaning prices: $30 – $60 to keep your Bloodhound’s long ears nice and clean, helping to prevent infections.

Bloodhound Training Costs

Bloodhounds are notoriously intelligent dogs, but without proper training, stubborn streaks and bad behaviour can soon form. So, to keep your Bloodhound a respectable member of society, you’ll need to invest in some training classes.

• Basic obedience training: $250 – $400 for a multi-week group class that covers essential commands, good manners, and lead walking.
• Puppy training class prices: $200 – $350 for a 6-week puppy class focused on early socialisation and basic training.
• Specialised training prices: $100 – $200 per session to work one-on-one with an expert who will tackle specific behavioural challenges like aggression, anxiety, or excessive barking.

Understanding the Full Costs of Owning a Bloodhound

The main thing to understand here is that owning a Bloodhound is a long-term financial commitment, and since they have a lifespan of between 10 and 12 years, you need to be confident you’ve got what it takes to foot the bill for a long time. But, if you are ready to do that, you’ll have a loyal, loving companion who will fill your life with adventure and just a little bit of slobber!