The history of the bloodhound can be traced back over 1000 years, and its development can be traced back to the monastery of St. Hubert in Belgium, where it was developed by refining an ancient breed called Segusius. They were primarily used for tracking, bloodhounding, hunting wolves, big cats, and deer, where they had to follow the tracks of wounded animals.

The breed played a role in the development of several European hound breeds. When the Normans conquered England in 1066, the St. Hubert dogs crossed the Channel with them, and then “contributed” to the development of the foxhound.