Hound dogs are one of the most popular dog breeds in the world. They make excellent pets for families with children and wonderful hunting companions. They come in literally any shape and size you can imagine. At first, hounds were bred for hunting. However, over time, they have been used for a variety of things, such as being companions, drug-sniffing dogs, and finding people in disasters. Many hound dogs are known to have great noses that can sniff out things that humans can’t even perceive.
Hound dogs have been a fixture of society for centuries. They make great companions but also are wonderful for hunting various prey. There are a wide variety of various hound dogs in the world today. They are the oldest developed breed of dog in the world. It is thought that the first came about around 1000 A.D. There are 32 registered breeds of hound dogs in the AKC today.
Hound dogs come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have developed different traits over time. So of the more popular hound breeds are:
- German Shorthaired Pointer
- Basset Hounds
- Coonhounds
- Dachshunds
- Greyhounds
- Beagles
- Bloodhound
- Scottish Deerhound
- and More!
From these are subsets of types of dogs as well. Such as Coonhounds. There is the Redbone Coonhound, Treeing Walker Coonhound, Blue Tick Coonhound, Black and Tan Coonhound, American English Coonhound, Majestic Tree Hound, and more just in the coonhound section of this list.
However, one thing is for certain, a hound is a very low-maintenance dog. While they are very smart, they typically do not need much grooming to be done, other than a bath from time to time.
Hounds are not perfect, though. They do tend to be loud and some have a distinctive howl. Some breeds are prone to having health issues. Because there are so many options for hounds, however, it is easy to pick one that will fit right into your lifestyle and family dynamic.
Why choose Smaller Breeds of Hound Dogs?
Most people think that the best dog for them to have is a big, strong, and powerful one. This is not always the case. Sometimes, smaller breeds of hound dogs are more suitable because they are easier to maintain and don’t require as much space, exercise, or expensive food as larger breeds do.
Hounds have been used for hunting for hundreds of years. These breeds of dogs are known for their keen sense of smell and ability to follow a scent.
There are many smaller breeds of hounds, such as the Miniature Pinscher, Dachshunds, and Basset Hounds which make great house pets and watchdogs. These types of animals are typically very loyal and brave. Typically they will be loyal to their family but friendly to everyone around them. As with any dog, they simply want to love you for who you are.
With all dogs, the smaller breeds do tend to have a longer lifespan as well, just something else to keep in mind and do research on the breed of hound you are interested in.
While some people do prefer smaller dogs, as they are easier to handle, live with and care for. Others do like the larger breeds and when it comes to hound dogs, you can love both!
Why Choose a Large Breed of Hound Dogs?
A large breed of hound dogs is a breed of dog that has been around for a long time. They are loved by their owners and are very popular among dog trainers and those looking to have a good sense of what their dog is thinking.
It is believed that the large breed of hound dogs dates far back in history when they were used as hunting companions on farms in early England. They would hunt small animals such as rabbits and rats.
The large breed of hound dogs would also help keep other animals like foxes at bay from attacking the farm’s livestock. Hound dogs have been a family companion for many, many years and will continue to do so in the future.
Are Hounds Considered Good Family Dogs?
Hounds are considered to be good family dogs because they are loyal, loving, and protective. Hounds are also affectionate and gentle with children. But they do not tolerate teasing well, so parents need to set boundaries with their young children and their hound dogs.
To have a happy family dog, make sure that your pet gets enough exercise and mental stimulation during the day. Many hound dogs will need exercise daily and playtime. However, there are some smaller breeds that are as active as their larger counterparts. The Scottish Deerhound, in particular, is a great family dog. If it could write its own personal ad, it would read something to this effect:
“Loves a nice nap on a nice sofa, regular meals, opportunities to run and enjoys long walks”.
The Scottish horndog was bred originally to chase Scottish Roe Deer. However, today they are considered highly affectionate and loving dogs. They are large and energetic, though, and don’t fair well in small places such as apartments. They will need a trainer that will stay firm with them and stick by their side, as they don’t like to be left alone for lengthy periods of time. Hounds don’t tend to overly bark or howl. But, they still have that prey drive, so walking on a leash is best, as they can see a squirrel or rabbit and take off.
What Are Some of the Best Hunting Hound Companions?
Hunting dogs are the best hunting companions for people who enjoy the thrill of hunting. Some of the best hunting hound companions are:
1) American Foxhound
2) Coonhound
3) Scottish Deerhound
4) Bloodhounds
5) Beagles
Of course, this is a shortlist, as there are certainly a bunch of different ones as we have stated before with the list of coonhound types.
Most hunters have a preference of which type of dog they like to use for hunting purposes. This could be because of certain qualities and characteristics. But, it could also be that preference was carried down from generation to generation.
Most hunters will have a dog around to help retrieve the prey, point it, or scare it out of hiding. Most hunting dogs love to learn and are quite smart. They also are loyal, loving, and wonderful companions for the family at the same time.
How are Hounds as Search and Rescue Dogs
Dogs have been employed as workers for a long time. They’re used in law enforcement, the military, and service industries. But one of the most popular jobs for dogs is as a search and rescue dog.
A search and rescue dog’s job is to find victims trapped under rubble after an earthquake or tsunami or in a mine after an explosion. They are trained to detect human scents so they can identify living people who may need help. Hounds are great for this, as they have been bred for years to hunt and they have some powerful sniffers.
While there are other breeds that are used for hunting and search and rescue, hounds are some of the oldest breeds that have it in their DNA. They want to find living things and sniff out the “bad guys”. That’s why they are also used as detective’s dogs!
How Are Hounds at Being Detective Dogs?
The answer is complex because there are many dog breeds in the world and each one has its unique strengths and weaknesses in terms of what they can be trained to do or what their natural talents might be. Determining which type of dog would be best suited for a job as a “detective dog” is a complicated process that relies on the specific needs of the job or organization.
When it comes to solving a case, most people think of the police and their dogged determination to catch the wrongdoers. However, sometimes the police are not always able to solve a mystery. In these cases, we turn to our four-legged friends who are often better at finding clues than humans are. So how are Hounds at being Detective Dogs?
Hounds smell and taste everything that they come in contact with. This makes them excellent detectives because they can find things that would otherwise go unnoticed. They have heightened senses of hearing and sight making them even more valuable members of a team of investigators.
The Call of a Hound
Hound dogs are known for their unique sound, their howl. While many other breeds bark and some are even considered yappers, the hound dog lets out this long howl. Hound dogs are actually closely related to the wolf, which is probably one of the reasons for this distinctive howl. This is an instinctive sound that wolves use in the wild to keep up with their pack, find each other, and mark their territory.
If your dog is howling excessively, there could be a reason for it. You should take into consideration what has recently happened, should they be howling uncontrollably. Did they get lost or did they lose a loved one? Sometimes hounds howl because they are lonely or sad. They could be howling for attention, albeit negative attention when you scold your dog. However, if you haven’t spent a lot of time with your four-legged friends you might take this into consideration when tracking down the reasons for excessive howling.
Some dogs howl when they are happy and don’t know where to put that energy as well. This is letting everyone know around them that they have the best life ever! While this can be annoying, now they are doing it because they want to speak to you and let you know they are, indeed, happy.
Because of their howling, hounds don’t always make the best apartment pets. However, keep in mind that not all hounds howl the same.
Dachshunds, for example, make amazing apartment pets. They tend to be rather quiet for the most part and don’t require as much exercise as some of the larger breeds.
No matter what you are looking for, there is a hound dog out there just for you!
