Top 10 Hound Dog Breeds

The Hound Group includes dog breeds with aprotective of its immediate family and wary of
wonderful sense of smell and/or great athleticism.strangers and other animals. Ridgebacks are good
These breeds were developed to follow game eitherwith children if raised with them but young Ridgebacks
by sight or by smell. Sighthounds include the fast andcan be too rambunctious for small children and toddlers
streamlined Afghans, Greyhounds and Salukis.6. Whippet
Sighthounds need lots of exercise but some breedsThe Whippet (#61) is a medium-sized sight hound that
like the Borzoi, the Greyhound, the Irish Wolfhound andlooks very much like a small Greyhound. The Whippet
the Saluki can adapt to being left alone during the daygets along well with children and makes a good family
if they get lots of exercise before and after work.dog. This breed is good natured, gentle and very
Scent hounds include the slower Bloodhounds, Bassetsplayful. As well this dog can be easily trained, sheds
and Beagles. The dogs in this group have a great sizevery little and is a great size for an apartment.
variation and range from the tiny Miniature DachshundAlthough it is important to know that Whippets do like
to the extremely tall Irish Wolfhound. The top ten mostand even expect to sit on furniture – so that
popular hound dogs in the US are the following. Theshould not be a concern if you are considering this
number in brackets is the rank of the breed out of 154breed.
breeds registered by the American Kennel Club in7. Basenji
2005.The Basenji (#81) is an unusual small, elegant and
1. Beagleathletic dog that trots like a horse and keeps itself
The very popular (#5) Beagle is one of the oldestclean by fastidious licking like a cat. Basenjis don't bark
hound dog breeds. The small-sized Beagle is calm,but make other unusual sounds like a yodel, howl or
loyal and excellent with children and other dogs. Thechortle - depending on its mood. The Basenji is high
breed is cheerful and happy and they make goodspirited, affectionate, demanding and almost cat-like in
family pets except for the nose. Once a Beagle picksits cleanliness, lack of bark, grace of movement and
up a scent it will follow it to the exclusion of everythinginexhaustible curiosity. This breed needs an
else. Beagles are fairly difficult to obedience trainexperienced owner and lots of walks and playtime to
because of their independent or stubborn streak.prevent it from getting into trouble.
2. Dachshund8. Irish Wolfhound
Dachshunds are small dog breeds with a long body,The Irish Wolfhound (#87) is the largest sighthound and
short crooked legs and large floppy ears. The veryone of the biggest and strongest of all giant dog
popular (#6) Dachshund comes in two sizes - Miniaturebreeds. This breed makes a wonderful family dog as it
and Standard and three varieties of coat - Shorthaired,is reliable, patient, sweet-tempered, intelligent and good
Longhaired and Wirehaired. Dachshunds or Doxies arewith older children. The Wolfhound adores its family
playful, fun-loving and inquisitive. Doxies are fine withand is not aggressive towards strangers or family
older children but do not like the rough handling theypets. Toddlers must be supervised carefully around
may receive from a toddler. Dachshunds can beyoung Wolfhounds as they are in danger of being
independent and stubborn and are difficult toaccidentally knocked over. Fully-grown Wolfhounds
housebreak and train.can be left alone during the day as long as they get
3. Basset Houndsome moderate exercise before and after work.
The medium- to large-sized Basset Hound is a short9. Borzoi
legged, loose skinned and powerfully built dog with aThe Borzoi (#94) or Russian Wolfhound is a tall, lean
great sense of smell. Bassets are one of theand aristocratic looking large- to very large-sized dog
easiest-going and best-natured of all dog breeds. Thethat belongs to the group of sight hound dog breeds.
popular (#27) Basset is very gentle, friendly andBorzois are kind, gentle and well-behaved indoors. This
trustworthy. These hounds adore their masters andbreed likes lots of attention and loves to recline on a
children and get along well with other animals andsoft bed, a lap or even a couch. Borzois enjoy the
strangers. Bassets can be stubborn, especially whencompany of other sighthounds but the breed is not
they are investigating an intriguing smell.good with small pets and young children unless raised
4. Bloodhoundwith them. Borzois don't need an excessive amount of
The very large and powerful Bloodhound is known forexercise and should not be let off leash because they
its keen sense of smell which is the most acute of allstill retain a high prey drive.
dog breeds. The Bloodhound is a kind, gentle and10. Afghan Hound
loveable dog. The breed is fairly popular (#50) and isThe large Afghan Hound (#95) has a dignified and
gentle and affectionate with his family and children.somewhat aloof disposition but is also very loyal and
The Bloody should be supervised around small childrenaffectionate dog. Afghan puppies and adolescents
and pets as he can be possessive of his food andrequire a lot of knowledge and patience to train and
toys. Bloodhounds are prodigious droolers.need firm and gentle handling. This breed can be
5. Rhodesian Ridgebackdifficult to housebreak and train - so professional
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a lean, well muscled andtraining may be advisable. The Afghan needs a lot of
magnificent, large dog breed. The Ridgeback gets itsexercise but still retains a high prey drive and will run
name from a characteristic ridge running down it'soff if you let it off leash. The Afghan is suspicious of
back, where the stiff hair grows in the oppositestrangers but can adapt to older children if raised with
direction from the rest of the coat. The Ridgeback isthe family. However the Afghan should be watched
fairly popular (#54) and is dignified, trustworthy, loyal,around small children as this dog can have a bad
intelligent and makes a great family pet. It is extremelytemper in adolescence.