Just What IS a Hound?

When talking about dogs and the specialized breeds that comprise the species, we run into a number of words over and over again, words used to describe particular breeds: terriers, bull dogs, and more. One word in particular that we often see is the term “hound,” yet it can be difficult to pin down what exactly this means. We do know that the word “hound” is used as a verb, as in, “You are hounding me!”

The word describes someone who is bothering someone else and never letting up – and that is not an inaccurate way to describe the hound breeds, too! Fortunately, thanks to training and breeding, your hound won’t be pestering you, but rather, whoever or rather, whatever, you decide to set the hound to, should you decide on a hound for your household. The first step in making that decision, however, is to decide what kind of hound you want. There are two types to consider: sighthounds and scent hounds, though there is also the third type of hound – a combination of the two. For now, let’s just consider these two primary types of hounds.

The Sighthound

Sighthounds are dogs that are uniquely skilled at chasing down their prey. They are capable of keeping that prey always within their sights, and of overtaking said prey using their incredible speed and dexterity. These dogs possess the ability to sense motion and act on it quickly, a key ability in the hunt. Their vision is considered some of the finest in the canine world, allowing them to track prey that is normally considered too agile for a normal dog to pursue, such as the deer or rabbit. Some examples of sighthounds include the Greyhound, the Irish Wolfhound, the Saluki, and the Whippet.

The Scent Hound

The Scent Hound tracks using scent, rather than sight. Dogs are known to have a powerful sense of smell, one that is often more powerful than their sense of sight, yet in the case of the scent hound, it is almost supernaturally powerful. Scent hounds can follow scents for days, and are known for their endurance and refusal to give up a scent once they have gotten wind of it. The Bloodhound, Basset Hound, and Kerry Beagle are just some examples of this kind of hound.

Regardless of the kind of hound you settle on, know that you are getting one of the keenest, most attentive members of the canine species ever to serve its owner!