Why Are Bloodhounds Used as Police Dogs?

Bloodhounds are often recruited for police work because of their exceptionally keen sense of smell. The dogs possess 230 million–300 million scent receptors, which is about 40 times that of humans and the highest number among dog breeds. This superior olfactory capacity enables the breed to expertly follow scent trails over vast distances and challenging terrain. In addition, their long ears and loose facial skin are suited for stirring up, trapping, and holding scents close to their face. The accuracy of Bloodhounds’ scent detection is so profound that The Guinness Book of World Records lists Bloodhounds as the first animal whose evidence was admissible in U.S. courts.

Originally bred by Belgian monks in the Middle Ages, Bloodhounds were developed specifically for their tracking abilities. This long history of selective breeding resulted in a dog that is not only skilled at following scents but also has the temperament to excel at police work. Their calm and deliberate demeanor makes them well equipped for the methodical nature of such work, and the dogs are willing to please. Importantly, they are relentless trackers and hard to distract on the trail, an invaluable trait when assisting law enforcement in tracking people and aiding in search-and-rescue operations.