Brief Introduction to the Hound Group

Hounds are one of the most heterogeneous dog groups. There is no one-size-fits-all generalization that can be made about Hound Group Dogs. Their only characteristic of them is that they were bred to hunt, so they were originally classified as sporting dogs.

Breeds in the Hound Group are of a great variety of size, shape, and coat. Most of these breeds were developed to hunt somewhat independently for their humans, who usually followed on foot or on horseback as the hounds chased down the prey. This hunting background means many of the Hound Group Dogs have great stamina, which were bred to relentlessly pursue prey.

Hound Group Dogs are divided into two groups: sight hounds and scent hounds. The former use their sharp eyesight to spot quarry and chase it down, while the latter hunt by tracking a scent. And the following are five popular breeds in the Hound Group:

1. Beagle

It is the lovable face, a good temperament or high levels of affection that makes the beagle the most popular hound in the United States. It is the seventh most popular breed overall of 2021. The beagle was first recognized as a breed by AKC in 1885.

• A relatively compact size makes beagles feel at home in almost any environment.
• The playful nature makes Beagles harvest a lot of children
• Because beagles hunt in groups, they get along well with other dogs.
• They usually weigh between 20 and 30 pounds.
• Their life expectancy ranges from 12 to 15 years.

2. Dachshund

Also known as the “wiener dog”, “badger dog”, and “sausage dog”, is a short-legged, long-bodied, hound-type dog breed. These vivacious dogs are full of spunk and energy. The dachshund breed is the 10th most popular breed in America. The breed was first recognized by AKC in 1885.

• While all dachshunds are long and short, they come in a variety of sizes and coats.
• Standard size dachshunds range from 16 to 32 pounds while miniature dachshunds are usually under 11 pounds.
• Dachshunds have a life expectancy between 12 and 16 years.

3. Basset Hound

The basset hound is one of the most iconic and easy identifiable dog breeds. Its long, floppy ears and low-key personality makes it the most popular dog in America. The basset hound was first recognized as a breed by AKC in 1885.

• Despite a reputation for being low energy, basset hounds have great endurance and stamina.
• Basset hounds are independent, they have a one-track mind, and this makes them more difficult to train.
• The average weight of a basset hound ranges from 40 to 65 pounds.
• Basset Hounds are some of the drooliest creatures in the animal kingdom.

4. Rhodesian Ridgeback

Not resemble the first three hounds on this list the Rhodesian Ridgeback is much more akin to a Sporting Breed, which is a distinguished, solid, and muscular variety of the Hound and originates from the Southern Africa region. Their defining feature is a “ridge” of backwards-growing hair that runs down the spine. The breed was first recognized by AKC in 1955.

• Rhodesian ridgebacks are extremely family-oriented and get along well with children.
• They are extremely protective.
• Life expectancy ranges from 10 to 12 years.
• Rhodesian ridgebacks weigh between 70 and 85 pounds.

5. Bloodhound

The Bloodhound is another well-known hound breed that has historically been recognized for their amazing sense of smell. This breed is the 50th most popular breed in the United States for 2021. Bloodhounds were first recognized as a breed by AKC in 1885.

• Often recognized for its loose, thin skin, the Bloodhound’s wrinkles are found around the throat, head and face, and this droopiness results in a significant amount of drool.
• Docile and well-mannered, the Bloodhound is not usually harmful toward humans, remaining calm at home.
• While bloodhounds are laid back and passive, if she is on a scent trail she can be relentless and stubborn.
• A male bloodhound can weigh between 90 and 110 pounds; a female bloodhound can weigh between 80 and 100 pounds.

Beyond these, however, generalizations about hounds are hard to come by, since the Group encompasses quite a diverse lot. There are Pharaoh Hounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Afghans, and Azawakhs, among others. Some hounds share the distinct ability to produce a unique sound known as baying. You would best sample this sound before you decide to get a hound of your own to be sure it’s your cup of tea.