Top 10 Hound Dog Breeds
Author: Mark Ransome

The Hound Group includes dog breeds with a wonderful sense of
smell and/or great athleticism. These breeds were developed to
follow game either by sight or by smell. Sighthounds include
the fast and streamlined Afghans, Greyhounds and Salukis.
Sighthounds need lots of exercise but some breeds like the
Borzoi, the Greyhound, the Irish Wolfhound and the Saluki can
adapt to being left alone during the day if they get lots of
exercise before and after work. Scent hounds include the slower
Bloodhounds, Bassets and Beagles. The dogs in this group have a
great size variation and range from the tiny Miniature
Dachshund to the extremely tall Irish Wolfhound. The top ten
most popular hound dogs in the US are the following. The number
in brackets is the rank of the breed out of 154 breeds
registered by the American Kennel Club in 2005.

1. Beagle
The very popular (#5) Beagle is one of the oldest hound dog
breeds. The small-sized Beagle is calm, loyal and excellent
with children and other dogs. The breed is cheerful and happy
and they make good family pets except for the nose. Once a
Beagle picks up a scent it will follow it to the exclusion of
everything else. Beagles are fairly difficult to obedience
train because of their independent or stubborn streak.

2. Dachshund
Dachshunds are small dog breeds with a long body, short crooked
legs and large floppy ears. The very popular (#6) Dachshund
comes in two sizes – Miniature and Standard and three varieties
of coat – Shorthaired, Longhaired and Wirehaired. Dachshunds or
Doxies are playful, fun-loving and inquisitive. Doxies are fine
with older children but do not like the rough handling they may
receive from a toddler. Dachshunds can be independent and
stubborn and are difficult to housebreak and train.

3. Basset Hound
The medium- to large-sized Basset Hound is a short legged,
loose skinned and powerfully built dog with a great sense of
smell. Bassets are one of the easiest-going and best-natured of
all dog breeds. The popular (#27) Basset is very gentle,
friendly and trustworthy. These hounds adore their masters and
children and get along well with other animals and strangers.
Bassets can be stubborn, especially when they are investigating
an intriguing smell.

4. Bloodhound
The very large and powerful Bloodhound is known for its keen
sense of smell which is the most acute of all dog breeds. The
Bloodhound is a kind, gentle and loveable dog. The breed is
fairly popular (#50) and is gentle and affectionate with his
family and children. The Bloody should be supervised around
small children and pets as he can be possessive of his food and
toys. Bloodhounds are prodigious droolers.

5. Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a lean, well muscled and
magnificent, large dog breed. The Ridgeback gets its name from
a characteristic ridge running down it's back, where the stiff
hair grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat.
The Ridgeback is fairly popular (#54) and is dignified,
trustworthy, loyal, intelligent and makes a great family pet.
It is extremely protective of its immediate family and wary of
strangers and other animals. Ridgebacks are good with children
if raised with them but young Ridgebacks can be too
rambunctious for small children and toddlers

6. Whippet
The Whippet (#61) is a medium-sized sight hound that looks very
much like a small Greyhound. The Whippet gets along well with
children and makes a good family dog. This breed is good
natured, gentle and very playful. As well this dog can be
easily trained, sheds very little and is a great size for an
apartment. Although it is important to know that Whippets do
like and even expect to sit on furniture - so that should not
be a concern if you are considering this breed.

7. Basenji
The Basenji (#81) is an unusual small, elegant and athletic dog
that trots like a horse and keeps itself clean by fastidious
licking like a cat. Basenjis don't bark but make other unusual
sounds like a yodel, howl or chortle – depending on its mood.
The Basenji is high spirited, affectionate, demanding and
almost cat-like in its cleanliness, lack of bark, grace of
movement and inexhaustible curiosity. This breed needs an
experienced owner and lots of walks and playtime to prevent it
from getting into trouble.

8. Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound (#87) is the largest sighthound and one of
the biggest and strongest of all giant dog breeds. This breed
makes a wonderful family dog as it is reliable, patient,
sweet-tempered, intelligent and good with older children. The
Wolfhound adores its family and is not aggressive towards
strangers or family pets. Toddlers must be supervised carefully
around young Wolfhounds as they are in danger of being
accidentally knocked over. Fully-grown Wolfhounds can be left
alone during the day as long as they get some moderate exercise
before and after work.

9. Borzoi
The Borzoi (#94) or Russian Wolfhound is a tall, lean and
aristocratic looking large- to very large-sized dog that
belongs to the group of sight hound dog breeds. Borzois are
kind, gentle and well-behaved indoors. This breed likes lots of
attention and loves to recline on a soft bed, a lap or even a
couch. Borzois enjoy the company of other sighthounds but the
breed is not good with small pets and young children unless
raised with them. Borzois don't need an excessive amount of
exercise and should not be let off leash because they still
retain a high prey drive.

10. Afghan Hound
The large Afghan Hound (#95) has a dignified and somewhat aloof
disposition but is also very loyal and affectionate dog. Afghan
puppies and adolescents require a lot of knowledge and patience
to train and need firm and gentle handling. This breed can be
difficult to housebreak and train – so professional training
may be advisable. The Afghan needs a lot of exercise but still
retains a high prey drive and will run off if you let it off
leash. The Afghan is suspicious of strangers but can adapt to
older children if raised with the family. However the Afghan
should be watched around small children as this dog can have a
bad temper in adolescence.


About The Author: Mark Ransome is a contributing editor and
writer for the popular new website
http://www.dog-breed-facts.com. Visitors will have access to
information about dog breeds, products like dog supplies and
answers to dog health issues.