PuppyBase

Appenzeller Sennenhund vs Bloodhound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Appenzeller Sennenhund vs Bloodhound

You’re not actually comparing these two breeds because they’re similar. no one does that. You’re looking at them side by side because both are rare, both are loud, and both look like they stepped out of a history book. But that’s where the overlap ends. The Appenzeller Sennenhund is the Swiss Army knife of farm dogs. compact, quick, and always one step ahead of you mentally. This is a dog that thrives when it has a job, whether that’s agility, herding, or just outrunning you on a hike. It bonds deeply, yes, but it’s not lounging on the couch. It’s watching for squirrels, barking at bikes, and testing your patience with its stubborn streak. The Bloodhound? This is a scent-driven tank. Built like a slow-moving freight train with ears that drag in the mud, it could care less about obedience drills. What it cares about is a trail. once it catches one, good luck calling it back. It’s gentle and deeply affectionate in its own droopy-faced way, but it’s not agile or responsive like the Appenzeller. It’s built for endurance, not precision. So who picks which? If you’re active but want a dog that engages with you in training, sports, and daily challenges, the Appenzeller is your dog. If you’re fascinated by tracking, have a huge fenced yard, and don’t mind the slobber and baying, the Bloodhound will steal your heart through sheer determination. Here’s the real talk: the Appenzeller might outthink you. The Bloodhound will ignore you. at least when a scent’s in the air. Neither is for beginners. But if you want a dog that feels like a partner, go Swiss. If you want a dog that’s a force of nature, go hound.

Appenzeller Sennenhund
Bloodhound
19–22 in
Height
23–27 in
48–70 lb
Weight
80–110 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
10–12 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.0–2.5k
AKC popularity
#49

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Appenzeller Sennenhund Bloodhound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Drooling Level
Appenzeller Sennenhund drools less (4-point difference)
Appenzeller
Watchdog / Protective
Appenzeller Sennenhund is more protective (1-point difference)
Appenzeller
Trainability
Bloodhound is easier to train (1-point difference)
Bloodhound
Barking Level
Appenzeller Sennenhund barks less (1-point difference)
Appenzeller
Mental Stimulation Needs
Appenzeller Sennenhund needs more mental stimulation (1-point difference)
Appenzeller
The verdict

Choose the Appenzeller Sennenhund if…

  • active families
  • experienced owners
  • rural and farm settings
  • You value watchdog / protectiveAppenzeller Sennenhund scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Bloodhound if…

  • Active people
  • Rural homes
  • Hunters
  • You value drooling levelBloodhound scores higher here.
Appenzeller Sennenhund Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Appenzeller Sennenhund home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Bloodhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bloodhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

Other comparisons people run