Turnspit Dog vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Both Turnspit Dog and Bloodhound are originated from United Kingdom. Turnspit Dog may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than Bloodhound. Turnspit Dog may weigh 58 kg / 127 pounds lesser than Bloodhound. Turnspit Dog may live 7 years more than Bloodhound. Turnspit Dog may have less litter size than Bloodhound. Both Turnspit Dog and Bloodhound requires Low maintenance.

History

It is amazing that this small dog’s popularity comes from him being used in the kitchens to roast meat. The British enjoyed eating their meat which they roasted on a fire.

These dogs were essentially regarded as a tool – a means to an end, and when kitchens were modernized, they were no longer needed, and they became extinct.

Referred to as the kitchen dog or cooking dog, the first mention of these little dogs was made in 1576. By 1850 the dogs had become scarce and by 1900 it seemed as though there were none left.

bloodhound - historyThe history of the Bloodhound breed is a fascinating one. Known as a Sleuthhound for its ability to smell out the culprit and bag the prey. Even more so the Bloodhound is known for tracking and finding lost people. He is famous for finding human scents and being able to follow them even days or weeks after the person is lost. They are also able to track people over a great amount of land and have been known to successfully track escaped prisoners or wanted criminals. They are descended from the Saint-Hubert Hounds that were bred at the Abbey/Monastery at Saint-Hubert, Belgium. According to the legends the St. Hubert hounds were bred by the Monks in 1000AD. This hound was thought to be a mixed breed rather than a purebred. That’s because the ancestry of this hound is not really known but it is known that the monks bred them and sent several to the King of France annually. Only black hounds were gifted.

Some kings preferred not to hunt with these hounds thinking them not good enough while others thought the only use for them was as a leash hound. All described the St. Hubert as long in body with short legs. These gifts continued until the French Revolution when hunting in France was greatly reduced until the 19th century. The original St. Hubert strain became extinct in the 19th century and that the current European St. Hubert hound has its origins in the Bloodhound. The Bloodhound as a separate breed was already established in Europe by the middle of the 14th century. They were used as leach hounds to sniff out the prey so that the pack hounds could chase and keep it “at bay”. They were also used from the beginnings of the breed to track humans. At this time they were often known as sleuth hounds. As recorded by John Caius – the authority on Bloodhounds from their origins – writes about the breeds ability to find and track the scent of blood – thus becoming the Bloodhound and its use to track poachers and thieves. He also reported that the Bloodhound and the Sleuth Hound were the same basic breed. The number of Bloodhounds in Britain gradually declined until few remained after World War II. Britain has gradually built their breed back up by importing dogs from America. It was during the 19th century that the Bloodhound was imported into France by breeders who wished to reestablish the St. Hubert Hound. Thus the St. Hubert is both the ancestor and descendent of the Bloodhound. The Britain’s continue to believe that the Bloodhound is a native British breed.

The Bloodhounds in America have had great success as companion animals, with police departments and forest rangers and showing in the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club in New York. There are more Bloodhounds in the United States than anywhere else in the world.

In the end the Anglo-Saxton Bloodhound cannot be specified with any real certainty. Many believe it was not the St. Hubert that the Bloodhound descended from but rather the Norman hound or the sleuth-hound. Many believe it could have included other breeds such as the southern hound, the dun-hound and the Talbot. It cannot be proven today it the Bloodhound’s origins come from Belgian or England.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Hound dog
Origin:
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
Height Male:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
46 - 54 cm
18 - 22 inches
Height Female:
20 - 30 cm
7 - 12 inches
40 - 48 cm
15 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
64 - 72 kg
141 - 159 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 14 kg
19 - 31 pounds
58 - 66 kg
127 - 146 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 15 Years
6 - 8 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 4
10 - 14
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Vernepator cur, kitchen dog
Sleuth hound • St. Hubert Hound • Saint Hubert Hound • Chien de Saint-Hubert • Flemish Hound
Colors Available:
White, gray or black., reddish-brown
Black and Tan, Liver and Tan, Red
Coat:
Shortish
Dense and short
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loving, Loyal, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

The Turnspit was a small long-bodied dog, standing at between 20 to 30cm in height and probably weighed anything between 9 and 14kg in height.

The legs were somewhat crooked or bandy and Edward Jesse, who wrote ‘Anecdote of Dogs’ in 1846 described them as ugly dogs with a miserable look to them. That was probably due to him having to fit into the hamster-like wheel contraption that turned the meat being roasted in the kitchens.

They were low-bodied dogs, similar to a Dachshund or a Corgi with short, stocky legs, short floppy ears, and a short coat. The long tail curled over its back. It is believed that the coats were white, reddish-brown, gray or black.

Temperament:

The dog was certainly feisty, energetic and hard-working with not much being written about his temperament. He was a working dog, but given the chance, he would no doubt have been loving and loyal, longing for the chance just to be part of a human family and to be loved.

bloodhound puppy - descriptionWhen being judged for confirmation in a show ring, the preference is for a larger dog, with an unusual skeleton in respect to its large size and heavy weight in the bones. They have a narrow head, flat at the sides, but long. They have deep set eyes buried in the deep, long face and wrinkles. The eyes might be yellow or run the gamut to deep hazel depending upon the color of the dog. The long velvety ears and thin and low set on the head. These long ears are as much a part of the Bloodhounds Olfactory system as his amazing nose. They curl backward and inward as the ends. There is a large amount of loose skin on the head and at the jowls. When the Bloodhound lowers his head the loose folds and ridges of skin are prominent on the face and forehead.

For many centuries all different colors of Bloodhounds could be found. Today however they are pretty much red, black and tan and black and liver. The Bloodhound is a powerful dog and is larger than most breeds of hounds.

Characteristics

The Turnspit dog had a tough life, but would no doubt have made a wonderful little pet had he just been allowed to be a companion dog.

When he was no longer needed, he was discarded.

Make sure that when you buy a dog, you don't just put him in your backyard and forget about him. Give him the love and care he deserves.

bloodhound dog - characteristicsThe Bloodhound is known as a gentle soul and he truly is. They are affectionate and gentle with people and children. However, their strong will to track can make them stubborn and hard to handle and train. They are easy going dogs and really like to be with people, children and other dogs. They are affectionate but tend to be set in their ways.

Health Problems

The health and lifespan of a dog is influenced by quite a few things such as food, care, love, exercise and the type of breed it is. Generally smaller dogs live longer than big dogs, and mixed breed dogs live longer than pure breeds.

The Turnspit dog, if he had received the proper care, could have lived to between 10 and 15 years of age.

Some of the health issues facing small dogs like these would include -

Hypoglycemia:

Stress can bring on a sudden drop in blood sugar. The Turnspit had reason to be stressed, working hard in horrible conditions. Dogs become weak and lethargic and can scarcely maintain an even gait. A sudden drop in blood sugar can cause a small dog to go into a fatal coma.

Pancreatitis:

This ailment seems to occur more often with smaller dogs. The pancreas becomes inflamed and your dog has vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dehydration. Pancreatitis can come about because of trauma, metabolic disorders or infection.

bloodhound puppies - health problemsObviously with ears like the Bloodhound there is always a chance for problems and serious infections. The ears need to be cleaned daily. Because their coat is so thick, they can overheat easily, and they are very prone to bloat, as are many large animals. However, with the Bloodhound, Bloat is the number one killer. Their lifespan is one of the shortest of all dogs at 6.75 years.

Caring The Pet

A dog is man's best friend, but the Turnspit was essentially just a working dog and most likely didn’t receive the proper care he deserved.

Small dogs like these would have had basic needs. Their owners would have had to pay attention to the dog's health, because he needed to work.

We look at ways in which a small dog like the Turnspit should have been cared for -

Diet:

One wonders if the Turnspit was allowed to eat any of the roast meat he worked so hard on to get ready. Every dog should have a regular meal.

Most adult dogs should be fed 2 meals of kibble a day. If the Turnspit wasn’t extinct he would have required a high quality ‘small dog breed’ commercial dog food. Home-made food would also be a requirement – some boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Dogs want and appreciate simple, wholesome foods that won’t upset their digestive systems.

Along with good food, dogs need cool, fresh water constantly available to stay healthy.

Provide your dog with a warm dry, quiet, comfortable place to sleep.

Make sure he gets to the veterinarian if he is sick, but also for his vaccines to prevent him from getting some of the worst dog diseases there are.

Spay or neuter your dog if you don’t intend to breed your dog,

Groom your small dog regularly. The Turnspit had a shortish coat and would have required a brush twice a week. Other grooming procedures for a small dog like the Turnspit would have been keeping his nails trimmed and checking the inside of his ears and his mouth for ear infections and dental disease.

Exercise for a small dog is important – walks and ball games.

bloodhound dogs - caringThe Bloodhound is not a high energy, fast moving dog but that does not mean he doesn’t have serious nutritional needs. An overweight Bloodhound is on a course to an early demise. They should be fed a high-quality food once a day or split into two daily servings. Do not feed them right before or right after strenuous exercise and remember that strenuous exercise for a Bloodhound is considerably less than it is for a terrier.

Health issues

As previously mentioned the number one cause of death in Bloodhounds is Bloat. They are also prone to cancer. They have minor issues with their eyes, but their ears and skin are also major concerns. Clean the ears daily and wipe out the skin folds and wrinkles to prevent infections. They should be test for hip and elbow dysplasia simply because they are large dogs, though these conditions are less common in Bloodhounds.

Exercise and games

Though the Bloodhound is known as a couch potato his stamina and activity levels are usually greatly underestimated. He can follow a scent for 7-10 hours over miles of terrain with out a problem. He needs daily exercise such as long walks on a leash. Do not take your Bloodhound out off leash because if he picks up a scent and wanders off you will not be able to get his attention to call him back.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Turnspit Dog vs Indian Spitz - Breed Comparison
  2. Turnspit Dog vs Irish Jack Russell - Breed Comparison
  3. Turnspit Dog vs Lancashire Heeler - Breed Comparison
  4. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  5. Turnspit Dog vs Danish Swedish Farmdog - Breed Comparison
  6. Turnspit Dog vs Telomian - Breed Comparison
  7. Turnspit Dog vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  8. Turnspit Dog vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  9. Turnspit Dog vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  10. Turnspit Dog vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Turnspit Dog vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  12. Turnspit Dog vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  13. Turnspit Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  14. Turnspit Dog vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  15. Turnspit Dog vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  16. Turnspit Dog vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  17. Turnspit Dog vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  18. Turnspit Dog vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Turnspit Dog vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Turnspit Dog vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  21. Turnspit Dog vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  22. Turnspit Dog vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  23. Turnspit Dog vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  24. Turnspit Dog vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  25. Turnspit Dog vs Papillon - Breed Comparison
  26. Bloodhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Bloodhound vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  28. Bloodhound vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  29. Bloodhound vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  30. Bloodhound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Bloodhound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  32. Bloodhound vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  33. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Greyhound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Francais Blanc et Noir vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Saluki vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Mountain Cur vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  38. Rajapalayam vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Plott Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  40. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Otterhound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Mudhol Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  43. Ibizan Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  44. Rampur Greyhound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Galgo Espanol vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  46. Hanover Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  47. Majestic Tree Hound vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Chart Polski vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  49. Polish Hunting Dog vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  50. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds