A Brief Guide to Hound Dogs
January 25, 2025
Has a hound dog caught your eye, and you aren’t sure if you have the right home for them? Finding the perfect hound dog can seem impossible, but by taking some time to understand hound dog breeds better, you can easily narrow your search and find your dream dog. Use our brief guide to learn more about hound dogs and whether they match your home.
Hound Dog Breed Roles
Hound dog's jobs usually involve helping humans hunt on horseback or on foot. How a hound dog helps humans varies, but they will either work by scent or sound, dividing hound dogs into the following categories:
Scent hounds
Scent hounds follow scent trails for long distances and love to search for things. Scent dogs typically have impressive stamina, making them ideal for long walks. Not only do they follow scents outdoors, but they love to search for hidden items around your home and garden. They will follow the scent until they claim their prize!
Scent hounds enjoy carrying soft toys, but they aren’t always interested in training. You can spot them with their wiry or smooth coat and pendulous ears.
Sighthounds
Sighthounds are a little different. They are very playful and can run at high speeds, chasing and hunting by sight rather than with their nose. Sighthounds will need exercise that allows them to use their natural instincts; they need plenty of space to run outdoors.
A sighthound is typically athletic and slender, with long legs, a narrow face, and forward-pointing eyes. These features make them easy to distinguish and allow them to focus solely on looking ahead and chasing their prey.
Many sighthounds are relaxed indoors, but take them outdoors, and you can expect them to be looking for targets or chasing anything they see.
Hound Dog Breeds Natural Instincts
Like other working breeds, hound dogs use their natural behaviors to complete their jobs, mainly locating prey using their eyes or noses. Once they have eyes (or noses) on their target, they will stalk and chase them at high speeds before catching and killing them or holding them until they can be killed.
While hunting dogs have owners to feed them, these predatory instincts remain, and you will need to satisfy them with your dog. Hound dogs enjoy carrying out these hunting behaviors, and with plenty of exercise and activities, you can provide an outlet for their instincts. You don’t need a large garden or lots of land for these dogs either; they just need access to walks where they can sniff and run to their hearts' content.
Hound Dog Breed Sizes
The size of hound dogs vary, from the miniature Dachshund to the huge Irish Wolfhound, meaning there is a size that suits anyone and their home.
Hound Dog Breeds Behaviour and Personality
For hound dogs to work successfully, they have several personality and behavior traits that you should be aware of before picking up your new dog.
Single-mindedness
When a hound dog catches sight or scent of their prey, there is very little you can do to distract them. They become entirely focused on catching their prey, which can be very frustrating if you are trying to recall your dog. They are not intentionally ignoring you, but they have been bred to ignore distractions while working, giving them a single-mindedness.
Fairly quiet
Unlike other breeds, hound dogs tend to show their affection quietly. Lots of kisses can be expected, rather than excited barking, which makes them quieter to live with than other dog breeds.
Independence
Hound dogs are used to working far away from their owner while they follow their instincts rather than relying on commands. Their independence means you can leave them home alone without the separation anxiety you see with other breeds. You will need to gradually build up to leaving them alone, ensuring they are never alone for long periods.
Runners (of varying distances)
Depending on your breed of hound dog, you can expect them to run different distances. Sighthounds usually have long periods of inactivity with bursts of fast sprints as they lock on and chase their prey. Scent hounds, however, prefer to run for hours at a time and have unbelievable stamina.
When they aren’t out hunting, these dogs can be very lazy and adore home comforts. You can expect to find them sprawled out in bed or across the sofa.
Premium scent workers
Scent hounds have a fantastic sense of smell and love nothing more than following a scent. A scent hound needs lots of space for free running or to follow scents, but this doesn’t need to happen in your home. A nose-down walk on a lead through your favorite mountain trail or park is their idea of a very nice day out.
Sometimes dirty
Some hound breeds have that ‘dog smell’ that can require regular baths to keep at bay, especially if your dog is sniffing the ground in all weathers. Many scent hounds will also roll around in those smells, usually ones you don’t want your dog rolling in, so prepare for lots of baths and grooming.
This isn’t as big of an issue for scent hounds, who tend to be much cleaner and easier to keep clean.
Find your hound dog today
Hound dogs are fantastic if you want a dog that enjoys lots of exercise, doesn’t bark too much, and regular baths don’t phase you. Which breed will you bring home today?
Images from: Deposit Photos