The Hound Group includes dog
breeds with a wonderful sense of smell and/or great athleticism.
These breeds were developed to follow game either by sight or by
smell. Sighthounds include the fast and streamlined Afghans,
Greyhounds and Salukis. Sighthounds need lots of exercise but some
breeds like the Borzoi, the Greyhound, the Irish Wolfhound and the
Saluki can adapt to being left alone during the day if they get
lots of exercise before and after work. Scent hounds include the
slower Bloodhounds, Bassets and Beagles. The dogs in this group
have a great size variation and range from the tiny Miniature
Dachshund to the extremely tall Irish Wolfhound. The top ten most
popular hound dogs in the US are the following. The number in
brackets is the rank of the breed out of 154 breeds registered by
the American Kennel Club in 2005.
1. Beagle
The very popular (#5) Beagle is
one of the oldest hound dog breeds. The small-sized Beagle is
calm, loyal and excellent with children and other dogs. The breed
is cheerful and happy and they make good family pets except for
the nose. Once a Beagle picks up a scent it will follow it to the
exclusion of everything else. Beagles are fairly difficult to
obedience train because of their independent or stubborn streak.
2. Dachshund
Dachshunds are small dog breeds
with a long body, short crooked legs and large floppy ears. The
very popular (#6) Dachshund comes in two sizes – Miniature and
Standard and three varieties of coat – Shorthaired, Longhaired and
Wirehaired. Dachshunds or Doxies are playful, fun-loving and
inquisitive. Doxies are fine with older children but do not like
the rough handling they may receive from a toddler. Dachshunds can
be independent and stubborn and are difficult to housebreak and
train.
3. Basset Hound
The medium- to large-sized
Basset Hound is a short legged, loose skinned and powerfully built
dog with a great sense of smell. Bassets are one of the
easiest-going and best-natured of all dog breeds. The popular
(#27) Basset is very gentle, friendly and trustworthy. These
hounds adore their masters and children and get along well with
other animals and strangers. Bassets can be stubborn, especially
when they are investigating an intriguing smell.
4. Bloodhound
The very large and powerful
Bloodhound is known for its keen sense of smell which is the most
acute of all dog breeds. The Bloodhound is a kind, gentle and
loveable dog. The breed is fairly popular (#50) and is gentle and
affectionate with his family and children. The Bloody should be
supervised around small children and pets as he can be possessive
of his food and toys. Bloodhounds are prodigious droolers.
5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a
lean, well muscled and magnificent, large dog breed. The Ridgeback
gets its name from a characteristic ridge running down it’s back,
where the stiff hair grows in the opposite direction from the rest
of the coat. The Ridgeback is fairly popular (#54) and is
dignified, trustworthy, loyal, intelligent and makes a great
family pet. It is extremely protective of its immediate family and
wary of strangers and other animals. Ridgebacks are good with
children if raised with them but young Ridgebacks can be too
rambunctious for small children and toddlers
6. Whippet
The Whippet (#61) is a
medium-sized sight hound that looks very much like a small
Greyhound. The Whippet gets along well with children and makes a
good family dog. This breed is good natured, gentle and very
playful. As well this dog can be easily trained, sheds very little
and is a great size for an apartment. Although it is important to
know that Whippets do like and even expect to sit on furniture -
so that should not be a concern if you are considering this breed.
7. Basenji
The Basenji (#81) is an unusual
small, elegant and athletic dog that trots like a horse and keeps
itself clean by fastidious licking like a cat. Basenjis don’t bark
but make other unusual sounds like a yodel, howl or chortle –
depending on its mood. The Basenji is high spirited, affectionate,
demanding and almost cat-like in its cleanliness, lack of bark,
grace of movement and inexhaustible curiosity. This breed needs an
experienced owner and lots of walks and playtime to prevent it
from getting into trouble.
8. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound (#87) is
the largest sighthound and one of the biggest and strongest of all
giant dog breeds. This breed makes a wonderful family dog as it is
reliable, patient, sweet-tempered, intelligent and good with older
children. The Wolfhound adores its family and is not aggressive
towards strangers or family pets. Toddlers must be supervised
carefully around young Wolfhounds as they are in danger of being
accidentally knocked over. Fully-grown Wolfhounds can be left
alone during the day as long as they get some moderate exercise
before and after work.
9. Borzoi
The Borzoi (#94) or Russian
Wolfhound is a tall, lean and aristocratic looking large- to very
large-sized dog that belongs to the group of sight hound dog
breeds. Borzois are kind, gentle and well-behaved indoors. This
breed likes lots of attention and loves to recline on a soft bed,
a lap or even a couch. Borzois enjoy the company of other
sighthounds but the breed is not good with small pets and young
children unless raised with them. Borzois don’t need an excessive
amount of exercise and should not be let off leash because they
still retain a high prey drive.
10. Afghan Hound
The large Afghan Hound (#95)
has a dignified and somewhat aloof disposition but is also very
loyal and affectionate dog. Afghan puppies and adolescents require
a lot of knowledge and patience to train and need firm and gentle
handling. This breed can be difficult to housebreak and train – so
professional training may be advisable. The Afghan needs a lot of
exercise but still retains a high prey drive and will run off if
you let it off leash. The Afghan is suspicious of strangers but
can adapt to older children if raised with the family. However the
Afghan should be watched around small children as this dog can
have a bad temper in adolescence.
