Encompassing some of the most iconic breeds in the world, including one of the largest dog breeds on the planet as well as some of the smallest, hounds come from a wide range of geographic regions and cultures. But one thing they all have in common is their love of the hunt. Bred to be tracking and hunting dogs by virtually every culture that has raised them, hounds possess excellent noses and high amounts of stamina.
Tracking scents, chasing game, and deep bonds with their human companions are all hallmarks of this diverse group of dogs. However, because of the incredible diversity within the group, one hound does not, in fact, fit all. Every individual dog is unique! With that in mind, here is a list of hound dog breeds that exemplify the steadfast, intelligent, wonderful dogs that can fit a variety of needs or situations.
Dogs resembling the modern Afghan have been traced back through thousands of years of middle eastern history. Native to Afghanistan and blessed with keen, panoramic vision, Afghans are athletic hunters who rely on their super-strong sense of sight to visually stalk prey over large distances. Sure, they may look a bit like Cher circa , but underneath those famously long locks lies the tall, slender body of a distance runner.
One of those iconic dog breeds who are instantly recognizable to just about anyone, Basset hounds have been popular among hunters and families alike for decades. Long prized by rabbit hunters, Bassets have one of the keenest noses in the dog kingdom, rivaled only by the Bloodhound in accuracy and ability.
At home, their relatively low exercise needs and willingness to cuddle up on the couch have long endeared them to families and older owners. Keep in mind, however, because they tend to have strongly independent personalities, it can sometimes take some extra love and patience to train them. Although, every individual dog is different!
If your knowledge of the hound dog is relegated to Elvis Presley's Hound Dog song, you'll be surprised to find out that the hound dog category consists of two sub-sets and up to different types of hound dogs worldwide. Hound dogs were bred in order to track and hunt prey in a variety of settings.
Breeding adapted these dogs to perform different skills depending on the terrain and environment presented for hunting. Some dogs track game primarily by scent while others track primarily by sight. Hounds fall into two main groups which are classified as either scent hounds or sighthounds.
All hound dogs share the same heritage which was a dog created to assist with their human owners with hunting game, big or small. In areas of the world where trees and brush inhibit the line of sight, dogs were bred to track game by scent, enabling hunters to find their mark despite the inability to see.
Scent hounds do not need to be especially fast, but they do need stamina in order to track an animal's trail for long periods of time.
Some scent hounds have long legs and faster speed, enabling hunters to follow them on horseback, while others have short legs and slower speed. Hunters follow this latter type of hound dog on foot. Scent hounds are further separated into two subcategories: trailing hounds and tree hounds. Trailing hounds were developed as a breed in Europe during the Middle Ages. These dogs tend to work in a pack and they're characterized by long, droopy ears, endurance and tracking ability.
Many trailing hounds howl, or bay, guiding hunters along their trail when out of sight. Tree hounds include coonhounds and curs. Coonhounds were developed in the Americas shortly following early settlement. They provided protection while also helping settlers hunt over vast land space for food. Because the area of land hunters needed to cover was so large, tree hounds developed the ability to pick up cold trails, track game, and drive the game up into trees until the hunters could catch up to the dogs.
Curs were used more often in the southern and western United States as general work dogs. In some cases they were used to hunt game ranging squirrels to bears, but in other cases they were used as stock dogs. Scenthounds are still used in hunting today. Depending on the game available in different parts of the country, some hounds track squirrels, rabbits and raccoons while others track large-game like bears, cougars and deer. True to their name, sighthounds track game by sight. Originally bred as hunting dogs, hound dog breeds are becoming increasingly popular as pets and emotional support animals.
Beagle Lifespan: years. Gentle Intelligent Even Tempered Determined Dachshund Lifespan: years. Basset Hound Lifespan: years. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lifespan: years.
Dignified Sensitive Mischievous Strong Willed Bloodhound Lifespan: years. Stubborn Affectionate Gentle Even Tempered Whippet Lifespan: years. Irish Wolfhound Lifespan: years. Basenji Lifespan: years. Norwegian Elkhound Lifespan: years. Strong Willed Hardy Intelligent Playful
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