Zoo's Cute Factor Boosted By New Bloodhound Puppies
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Zoo's Cute Factor Boosted By New Bloodhound Puppies

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Photos by Brevard Zoo

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Photos by Brevard Zoo

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Photos by Brevard Zoo

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Photos by Brevard Zoo

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New animals at the Space Coast’s award-winning Brevard Zoo always generate buzz, but the soulful eyes and adorable wrinkles of bloodhound puppies Cindy Pawford and Sarah Jessica Barker are adding a fresh level of puppy love. And yes, you can pet them.

They are the offspring of Blue and Daisy Mae, two of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office hard-sniffing bloodhounds. 

The winsome pair of pups arrived at the Zoo Jan. 18, when a welcome party of zoo staff and volunteers awaited with welcome banners and hugs for the 12-week-old pups who, like their namesakes, quickly became stars.

Cindy arrived named in honor of generous Sheriff’s Office patron Cindy Johnson, who provided ballistic vests to protect the Sheriff’s K-9 team. The zoo’s Animal Ambassador team nicknamed her Cindy Pawford — their tawny beauty version of supermodel Cindy Crawford.  

A contest was held to name her sister, described by her care team as energetic and brave. Sarah Jessica Barker won over options that included Hillary Ruff, Lucy Pawless and Tyra Barks. Like the star of the hit HBO series “Sex and the City,” the zoo’s Sarah Jessica is a gal eager for adventure. 

Cindy and Sarah Jessica are not the first canines to reside at Brevard Zoo.

“In the past, we had a dog named Maggie who spent her days in the Barnyard (area of the zoo) with previous residents,” said Megan Stankiewicz, curator of animals.

After a quarantine period that is standard procedure for any new zoo residents, the duo assumed Maggie’s mantle as official Barnyard dogs. Once known as the Petting Zone, guests are encouraged to interact with and pet the gentle Barnyard residents that await in the Paws On area of the zoo. 

The five chickens, four goats and the African spurred tortoise who call the Barnyard home quickly acclimated to the new arrivals and the pups, in turn, had no problem with their new roomies. The babies were, well, babied, the first few weeks. 

“The first month they were here, the puppies went home with staff, but now they stay the night in the Barnyard, and when we leave for the day, they lay in one big puppy pile and spend the majority of the time we’re away sleeping,” Stankiewicz said.

Introducing the puppies to fellow Barnyard residents as early as possible helped establish a pattern of behavior.

 “Raising them with goats and chickens should help them see those animals as members of their pack,” said Zach Marchetti, community engagement and outreach officer. 

Cindy and Sarah Jessica will continue to reside in the Barnyard, where they will serve as ambassadors for a breed of dog legendary for its tracking skills. The zoo pups will help guests learn about bloodhounds’ exemplary service in missing persons cases. 

“We appreciate our partnership with the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office to showcase to guests the amazing tracking skills of bloodhounds,” said Zoo executive director Keith Winsten. “We are excited for Cindy and Sarah Jessica to join The Barnyard area as ambassadors and look forward to demonstrating their skills once they are older.”

The dogs also will be trained to participate in on-site encounters with guests, including education programs, stage chats and special events.

 

The skinny on bloodhounds

Weight:

Males: 101-119 pounds

Females: 88-106 pounds

Temperament: Gentle, patient and mild-mannered but highly focused on tracking smells

History: Descended from dogs at the Abbey of Saint-Hubert in Belgium, bloodhounds were originally used for hunting deer and wild boar.

Famous bloodhounds: Hubert from “Best in Show,” Disney's Pluto, Bruno from “Cinderella,” Trusty from “Lady and the Tramp” and Duke from “The Beverly Hillbillies”

 

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