hound

hound, Classification of hunting dogs that is more general than setter, retriever, pointer, or other sporting dog categories. Most hounds were bred and trained to track by scent or sight. Scent hounds (e.g., Bloodhound, Dachshund) are trained to scent in the air or on the ground. Sight hounds (e.g., Saluki, Afghan Hound) were developed to chase game by sight over long distances. Hounds such as Beagles, Basset Hounds, and Foxhounds run in packs; Afghan Hounds, Borzois, and Salukis are among those that run alone. Other breeds in the group include the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen, the Otterhound, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback, which was bred to hunt lions in Africa. 

Selected breeds of hounds

	name	origin	height in inches* dogs (bitches)	weight in pounds* dogs (bitches)	characteristics	comments
*1 inch = 2.54 centimetres; 1 pound = 0.454 kilogram
	Afghan Hound	Afghanistan	27 (25)	60 (50)	regal appearance; curved tail; straight, long coat	celebrated show dog
	Basenji	Central Africa	17 (16)	24 (22)	small-sized; wrinkled forehead; tightly curled tail	barkless; admired by Egyptian pharaohs
	Basset Hound	France	12–14 (same)	40–60 (same)	short-legged; heavy-boned; large head; long, drooping ears	bred by monks in the Middle Ages
	Beagle	England	2 varieties, 13 and 15 (same)	18 and 30 (same)	small-sized but solid; short coat	long-lived; excels at rabbit hunting
	Black and Tan Coonhound	U.S.	25–27 (23–25)	60–100 (same)	medium to large in size; rangy; long ears	used primarily for tracking and treeing raccoons
	Bloodhound	Belgium/France	25–27 (23–25)	90–110 (80–100)	large-sized; loose skin with folds around head and neck; eyes set deep in orbits	known for its tracking ability; first recorded use by organized law enforcement, England, 1805
	Borzoi	Russia	at least 28 (at least 26)	75–105 (60–85)	large-sized; elegant appearance; long, silky coat	popular with Russian nobility; therefore, many were killed after the Russian Revolution
	Dachshund (standard)	Germany	7–10 (same)	16–32 (same)	long-bodied with short legs; three types of coat: smooth, wirehaired, or longhaired	developed around the 1600s; also miniature variety
	Greyhound	Egypt	25–27 (same)	65–70 (60–65)	sleek, muscled body; short, smooth coat	fastest breed of dog, reaching speeds of 45 mph
	Irish Wolfhound	Ireland	minimum 32; average 32–34 (minimum 30)	minimum 120 (minimum 105)	large-sized; wiry, rough coat; graceful body	tallest breed of dog
	Norwegian Elkhound	Norway	21 (19)	55 (48)	medium-sized; tightly curled tail; prick ears	hardy; believed to have originated in 5000 BCE
	Saluki	Egypt	23–28 (may be considerably smaller)	45–60 (proportionately less)	graceful, slender body; long ears	“royal dog of Egypt”; one of the oldest known breeds of domesticated dogs
	Whippet	England	19–22 (18–21)	28 (same)	medium-sized; slim but powerful body; long, arched neck	developed to chase rabbits for sport