What aspect did the monastic breeders prioritize over speed or strength in their development of the hound?
Answer
Olfaction (scent tracking ability)
The long-term dedication of the monks maintained a consistent standard focused squarely on olfaction, prioritizing persistence in following a trail over sheer velocity or strength.

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What was the primary, foundational purpose for which the early Bloodhounds were bred?Where were the ancestors of the Bloodhound initially developed and maintained?Approximately when were the early ancestors of the Bloodhound first developed by the monks?What is the most widely accepted origin of the term "Bloodhound"?What physical characteristic of the Bloodhound assists in trapping scent particles close to the nose?Which historical event is cited as linking the breed's arrival in Great Britain to the continent?Which two animals constituted the primary quarry tracked by the St. Hubert Hounds in the Ardennes forests?What does the Bloodhound track when working a trail, rather than following the subject visually?What aspect did the monastic breeders prioritize over speed or strength in their development of the hound?How did the functional use of the breed evolve when it became established in England?