There are two types of hounds, scenthounds and sighthounds. This article focuses on the former, which use their highly developed sense of smell to track prey. In fact, breeds that come under this category have, by common consensus, some of the sharpest noses found across all canine breeds.
The history and evolution of the scenthound makes for fascinating reading. In earlier times, as early as during the days of the Roman invasion of Great Britain, the ancestors of today’s scenthound fought alongside the Celts. Most probably these dogs were mastiffs.
An early scenthound breed the St Hubert Hound was developed by monks in France and this breed laid down many of the characteristics that define scenthounds. Scenthounds usually have long pendulous ears, large nostrils and a wet mouth – all designed to direct scent / smell particles to the nose. A scenthound does not have to be a great sprinter because it does not have to keep the prey in sight; however, these dogs do need to have stamina to run down prey after picking up a scent trail. Scenthounds are excellent cold trailers.
Two other early scenthound dog breeds in Europe were the Talbot hound and the Southern hound. Hounds adapted well to hunting for humans because that is what they did in the wild living in societies with complex organizational structures.
Scenthounds were used in Europe primarily by the landed gentry to hunt foxes and deer; it is interesting to note that there were no raccoons in Europe so coon hounds came into existence when scenthounds came to American shores and were bred to adapt to North American conditions. In America, the scenthounds made their appearance around a hundred years before the American Revolution.
Scenthounds are bestowed with a deep booming bark that is useful to their masters trailing behind them. Once they have treed a prey, they howl and bark letting their owners know that they have successfully tracked down an animal. Because these hounds have to operate over diverse terrain they are sturdy and rugged regardless of whether they have short legs or are long-legged dogs.
Bassets, bloodhounds, daschunds, and beagles are famous scenthound breeds that also make excellent pets and show dogs.
