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Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Bloodhound

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

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The bottom line

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound vs Bloodhound

People compare Bavarian Mountain Scent Hounds and Bloodhounds because both are scent hounds with serious tracking ability, but that’s like comparing a trail runner to a long-haul trucker. they’re built for different terrain, literally and figuratively. If you’re hunting game in steep, rocky alpine country, the Bavarian is your dog. He’s lean, focused, and built to stay on a cold trail for hours without blowing his voice. He’s quieter, lighter at 37. 66 pounds, and more reserved with strangers. You’ll need space, experience, and time to train him, but he’s eager to please and thrives on mental work. He’s not for first-timers or city living. The Bloodhound? This is the dog that can track a scent days old over miles. He’s massive, 80 to 110 pounds of loose skin and drool, with ears that sweep the ground and a voice that carries half a mile. His bark isn’t occasional. it’s a feature. He’s friendly, even goofy, but when he catches a whiff, he’s gone. You’ll need a six-foot fence, not just for his safety but for your neighbors’ sanity. Bloat is a real risk, so you’ll feed carefully and avoid exercise after meals. Here’s the thing no breeder brochure tells you: both breeds will follow a scent past exhaustion, but the Bloodhound will do it with zero concern for you. The Bavarian still checks back. If you want a partner who respects your judgment, go Bavarian. If you need a living, breathing scent machine that operates on its own schedule, get the Bloodhound. Just don’t expect either to come when called.

Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound
Bloodhound
17–20.5 in
Height
23–27 in
37–66 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.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Bloodhound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Drooling Level
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound drools less (3-point difference)
Bavarian
Barking Level
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound barks less (3-point difference)
Bavarian
Watchdog / Protective
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound is more protective (1-point difference)
Bavarian
Energy Level
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound has more energy (1-point difference)
Bavarian
Mental Stimulation Needs
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound needs more mental stimulation (1-point difference)
Bavarian
The verdict

Choose the Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound if…

  • Active people
  • Hunters
  • Rural homes
  • You value watchdog / protectiveBavarian Mountain Scent Hound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Bloodhound if…

  • Active people
  • Rural homes
  • Hunters
  • You value drooling levelBloodhound scores higher here.
Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound 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

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