Hound Group
Breeds developed to hunt by scent or sight. Scent hounds follow their noses with single-minded determination; sight hounds chase down prey with explosive speed. What unites them: they're independent thinkers who'd rather follow the quarry than follow your commands.
Common Characteristics
- • Independent streak
- • Strong prey drive
- • Scent or sight specialized
- • Can be stubborn/selective hearing
- • Often vocal (baying, howling)
- • Range from couch potatoes to marathon runners
What to Expect
Hounds march to their own drum. Scent hounds will follow a smell trail off a cliff if you let them; sight hounds will bolt after anything that runs. Off-leash reliability is challenging with most hounds — their instincts override training when triggered. But many are surprisingly low-key at home, happy to loaf on the couch between hunts. Just don't expect precision obedience.
Breeds in This Group
Beagle
The Beagle is a nose on four legs. Bred to hunt rabbits in packs, they're still used by USDA 'Beagle...
Dachshund
The Dachshund was bred to hunt badgers in underground tunnels. Badgers. Those short legs and long bo...