Hounds are a distinguished group of dogs renowned for their remarkable hunting and scenting abilities. Developed over centuries, they possess a natural instinct to track and chase game, making them exceptional hunting partners for enthusiasts. With various breeds within the hound category, each one exhibits distinct characteristics and traits that cater to specific hunting needs and preferences. Whether it’s the Beagle’s keen nose or the Greyhound’s impressive speed, hound dogs have been carefully bred to excel in their respective hunting roles. These qualities, combined with their loyal and dedicated nature, make hound dogs excellent companions for those passionate about the art of hunting.
See also: Over 40 best fluffy dog breeds
List of popular hound dog breed
Afghan Hound
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Cream, white, black, red, brindle, mix of these colours
Temperament: Graceful, aloof, independent
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Affectionate, loyal
American Foxhound
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Cream, white, black, red, brindle, mix of these colours
Temperament: Graceful, aloof, independent
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Affectionate, loyal
American English Coonhound
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Tricolor: Black, white and tan
Red-tick: Red and white ticked pattern
Blue-tick: Blue and white ticked pattern
Tri-colour with a saddle pattern: Black with tan points and a black saddle on the back
Temperament: Friendly, sociable, and outgoing
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: affectionate, loyal, spirited
Azawakh
Size: Slender
Colors: Red, Brindle, Black Mask, White Markings
Temperament: Loyal, independent, intelligent
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: May not be the best choice for families with very young children or small pets.
Bavarian Hound Dogs
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Bicolor with a base colour of black and tan
Temperament: Loyal, intelligent, active, brave
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Attention seeking, loyal
Basset Hound
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Tricolor: Black, white and tan markings
Red and White: Red with white markings
Lemon and White: Lemon (pale yellow) with white markings
Temperament: Gentle, friendly, laid-back
Exercise: Moderate
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families, individuals
Blue Gascony Basset
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colors: Blue, grey
Temperament: Gentle, friendly, loyal
Exercise: Moderate
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families
Borzoi
Size: Large
Colors: White, Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black, Combinations of these colours
Temperament: Gentle, quiet, dignified
Exercise: Moderate
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families, individuals
Beagle
Size: Small-to-medium sized
Colors: Tricolor: Black, white, and tan.
Red and White: Red with white markings.
Lemon and White: Lemon (pale yellow) with white markings.
Blue Tick and Tan: Blue-gray with black ticking and tan markings.
Temperament: friendly, curious, social
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families, individuals
Bloodhound
Size: Large
Colors: Black, Tan
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, friendly
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families, individuals
Basenji
Size: Small
Colors: Red: Shades of chestnut red
Black: Solid black or black with tan markings
Brindle: Black stripes on a red background
Tricolor: Black and tan with white markings on the chest, feet, and tail tip
Temperament: Unique, independent, Bark-less, intelligent, curious, alert, cat-like personality
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Well-suited for families, individuals
Cirneco dell’Etna
Size: Medium to large-sized
Colours: Solid black, Red, Fawn, Brindle
Temperament: Loyal, Intelligent, Independent, Aloof with strangers, Known for hunting skills, sight hound abilities
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Excellent companions for families who appreciate their natural instincts. Early socialisation and consistent training important
Chippiparai
Size: Medium-to-large sized
Colours: Solid black, Red, Fawn, Brindle
Temperament: Loyal, Intelligent, Independent, Aloof with strangers, Known for their hunting skills and sight hound abilities
Exercise: Regular
Family Compatibility: Loyal and affectionate family pets for households that understand their independent nature
Coonhound
Size: Medium to large
Colours: Tan, black, red, bluetick, trivolour
Temperament: Friendly, outgoing, intelligent
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Great family pet for households with an active lifestyle
Dachshund
Size: Small
Colours: Red, Black, Tan, Chocolate, Cream, Blue, Isabella (Dilute chocolate), Dapple (mottled pattern), Brindle
Temperament: Clever, independent, affectionate, devoted, fearless, determined, protective, stubborn
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Dachshunds can make excellent family pets for households with the right lifestyle and understanding of their needs
Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
Size: Medium-to-large sized
Colours: Tricolor (black, white, and tan), bicolor (white and any other color except black), tricolor with grizzling (mix of black and white hairs)
Temperament: Friendly, Sociable, Intelligent Independent, Strong hunting instinct
Exercise: Regular
Family xompatibility: Outgoing and get along well with other dogs and animals, making them excellent pack hounds
Irish Wolf Hound
Size: Large
Colors: Gray, Brindle, Red, Black, White, Fawn
Temperament: Gentle, Friendly, Reserved, Dignified
Exercise: Moderate
Family Compatibility: Wonderful family pets for households with enough space to accommodate their large size
Ibizan Hound
Size: Large
Colours: Red, white, tan
Temperament: Intelligent, Independent, Affectionate, shy
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Good with family members but reserved with strangers; typically good with older children and other dogs, but early socialisation is important.
Italian Greyhound
Size: Small
Colours: Black, Blue, Fawn, Cream, Red, Combinations of these colours
Temperament: Intelligent, Affectionate, Sensitive, Playful, Loyal, Reserved-shy around strangers
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Good with family members but reserved with strangers; excellent family pets for households with older children who understand their delicate nature
Mudhol Hound
Size: Medium to large
Colours: Fawn, Red, Cream, Black, Tan, Brindle
Temperament: Loyal, Gentle, Intelligent, Alert, Energetic, Reserved with strangers
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Good with their family but may be aloof with strangers
Norwegian Elkhound
Size: Small to medium
Colours: Grey, black
Temperament: Alert, Bold, Independent, Loyal, Intelligent, Reserved with strangers, Can be aloof at times
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Great family pet for households with an active lifestyle
Otterhound
Size: Medium
Colours: Grizzle and Tan: A mixture of gray and fawn hairs.
Black and Tan: Black with tan markings on the eyebrows, muzzle, and legs.
Liver and Tan: Liver (brown) with tan markings.
Blue and Tan: Blue-gray with tan markings.
Temperament: Friendly, Good-natured, Sociable, Independent, Gentle, can be stubborn and strong-willed
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Great family pet for households with an active lifestyle
Pharaoh
Size: Medium
Temperament: Intelligent, Affectionate, Independent, Playful, Alert, Reserved around strangers
Colours: Red, Tan
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Can be good with children and other pets when properly socialised
Portuguese Podengo
Size: Small, medium, large
Colurs: Fawn, Yellow, Chestnut, Black, Brown
Temperament: Intelligent, Agile, Energetic, Alert, Independent, Loyal
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Can be good with children and other pets when properly socialised
Plott Hound
Size: Medium
Colurs: Brindle, solid colours
Temperament: Intelligent, Loyal, Brave, Determined, Friendly, Social
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Early socialization must for ensuring they get along well with other pets and animals.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Size: Large
Colurs: Wheaton, ridge
Temperament: Intelligent, Loyal, Confident, Independent, Protective, reserved with strangers, Good with families when properly socialised and trained
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Early socialization must to ensure they get along well with other pets and animals.
Saluki
Size: Medium-to-large sized
Colours: White, Cream, Fawn, Golden, Red, Grizzle, Tricolor, Black and Tan, Combinations of these colours
Temperament: Gentle, graceful, dignified, independent, reserved, sighthound aloofness
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Better suited for families with older children and adults
Whippet
Size: Medium
Colours: Fawn, Brindle, Blue, Black, White, Combinations of these colours
Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, quiet, calm dogs
Exercise: Regular
Family compatibility: Well-suited for indoor living
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