Hounds are dogs bred to hunt, and they are among the oldest dog breeds in the world. Images of greyhound-like dogs appear in ancient Egyptian tombs more than 4,000 years old. Hounds fall into two main groups. Scent hounds follow a trail with their extraordinary noses, often baying loudly as they go. Sight hounds spot prey from far away and chase it down with explosive speed.
This guide covers six well-known hound breeds with pictures, explains how scent and sight hounds differ, and what each is like as a pet.
Scent Hounds and Sight Hounds
| Scent hounds | Sight hounds | |
|---|---|---|
| How they hunt | Follow a smell trail, often for miles | Spot movement and chase at high speed |
| Build | Sturdy, deep chest, long ears, loose skin | Slim, long legs, narrow head, deep chest |
| Voice | Loud baying or howling | Usually quiet |
| Examples | Beagle, basset hound, bloodhound, dachshund | Greyhound, whippet, Afghan hound, saluki |
| At home | Friendly, food-driven, may wander after smells | Gentle, calm indoors, need safe space to sprint |
6 Types of Hound Dogs with Pictures
1. Beagle
The beagle is a small scent hound with floppy ears, a white-tipped tail, and a tricolor coat of black, tan, and white. It was bred in England to hunt hares and rabbits in packs, with hunters following on foot. Its nose is so sensitive that beagles are used at airports to sniff out banned food in luggage. Beagles are cheerful, gentle, and great with children, but their love of following scents means they can wander off.
Size: 13 to 15 inches tall and 20 to 30 pounds.
Good to know: One of the most popular breeds in the United States. Known for their howling bay.
2. Basset Hound
The basset hound has very short legs, a long body, a deep chest, and enormously long, velvety ears that sweep the ground. The name comes from the French word bas, meaning low. Bassets were bred in France to track rabbits and hares slowly enough for hunters on foot to follow. Its sense of smell is second only to the bloodhound. Bassets are calm, easygoing, and affectionate, but famously stubborn.
Size: Up to about 15 inches tall and 40 to 65 pounds.
Good to know: Prone to weight gain, and the long ears need regular cleaning.
3. Dachshund
The dachshund, nicknamed the wiener dog or sausage dog, was bred in Germany to hunt badgers. Its name means “badger dog” in German. The long body and short legs let it follow badgers into their burrows, and its loud bark could be heard by hunters above ground. Dachshunds come in standard and miniature sizes and in smooth, long-haired, and wire-haired coats. They are brave, clever, and loyal.
Size: Standard: 16 to 32 pounds. Miniature: up to 11 pounds.
Good to know: The long back is prone to disc problems, so avoid letting them jump down from furniture.
4. Greyhound
The greyhound is the fastest dog breed, capable of reaching about 45 miles per hour in short bursts. It is a sight hound with a narrow head, a deep chest, long legs, and a lean, aerodynamic body. Greyhounds were raced for decades, and many retired racing dogs are now adopted as pets. Despite their speed, they are calm, gentle, and lazy at home and are often called “45-mile-per-hour couch potatoes”.
Size: 27 to 30 inches tall and 60 to 70 pounds.
Good to know: Thin-skinned and sensitive to cold. Should be kept on a lead in open areas because of their chase instinct.
5. Afghan Hound
The Afghan hound is one of the most glamorous dogs in the world, with a long, silky, flowing coat, a narrow face, and a ringed tail. It is an ancient sight hound from the mountains of Afghanistan, where its thick coat protected it from cold while it hunted hares, gazelles, and even leopards over rough terrain. Afghans are dignified and independent, and they can be aloof with strangers.
Size: 25 to 27 inches tall and 50 to 60 pounds.
Good to know: The coat needs brushing several times a week. Known for being harder to train than most breeds.
6. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian ridgeback is named for the ridge of hair along its back that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. It was developed in southern Africa, in what is now Zimbabwe, to track and hold lions at bay until hunters arrived, which earned it the nickname “African lion hound”. It combines the stamina of a scent hound with the speed of a sight hound.
Size: 24 to 27 inches tall and 70 to 85 pounds.
Good to know: Strong, athletic, and protective. Needs experienced owners and plenty of exercise.
More Types of Hound Dogs
- Bloodhound: the scent hound with the most powerful nose of any dog. Its tracking evidence has been accepted in court.
- Whippet: a smaller, gentler relative of the greyhound, and one of the fastest dogs for its size.
- Coonhounds: American scent hounds, such as the Black and Tan and the Redbone, bred to track raccoons at night.
- Saluki: an elegant sight hound from the Middle East and one of the oldest known breeds.
- Irish wolfhound: the tallest dog breed, a giant sight hound once used to hunt wolves.
- Borzoi: a Russian sight hound with a long silky coat, bred to hunt wolves.
- Foxhound: English and American pack hounds bred to hunt foxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two types of hound dogs?
Scent hounds, which track prey by smell, and sight hounds, which spot prey by sight and chase it at high speed.
What is the fastest hound?
The greyhound is the fastest, reaching about 45 miles per hour.
Which hound has the best sense of smell?
The bloodhound has the most powerful sense of smell of any dog breed.
Are hounds good family dogs?
Many are. Beagles and basset hounds are friendly with children, and greyhounds and whippets are calm indoors. Most hounds need secure fencing because they follow their noses or their chase instinct.
Is a dachshund a hound?
Yes. Dachshunds are classed as hounds because they were bred to hunt badgers, using both scent and digging.