Page 137 - The Complete Dog Breed Book Choose the Perfect Dog for You, New Edition (DK)

S CENT HOUND S 137

SCENT HOUNDS

A keen sense of smell is an essential part of being a dog.
The sharpest noses belong to the scent hounds, which track
prey more by following scent than by using their eyes as the
sight hounds do (see pp.124–125). These dogs, some of which
hunt in packs, have a natural ability to pick up a trail, even
if it is days old, and will follow it single-mindedly. The Otterhound is one of the
rarest scent hound breeds

It is not known exactly when certain hound known today were selectively Although usually gregarious and good
dogs were first recognized for their developed not only according to with other dogs, pack hounds rarely
exceptional ability to hunt by scent. the size of prey that they followed make satisfactory house pets. They
The origins of the modern scent hound but to the countryside that the hunts need space, are often vocal, and their
possibly date back to the mastiff-type covered. The English Foxhound, for eagerness to follow any scent trail
dogs of the ancient world, brought into example, is comparatively fleet and can make them difficult to train.
Europe by traders from the region that lightly built for leading a mounted hunt
is now Syria. By the Middle Ages, over mostly open terrain. Similar in
hunting with packs of scent hounds general appearance but much smaller, AMERICAN COONHOUND
This Bluetick Coonhound is a typical example
was a widespread and popular sport, the Beagle hunted hare, sometimes in of the large, handsome coonhounds popular
the quarry including fox, hare, deer, thick undergrowth, with followers on in the United States for hunting and trials.
and wild boar. Pack hunting arrived in foot. Some short-legged dogs were
North America in the 17th century, bred to follow or dig out quarry below
with English settlers who brought ground. The best known of these small
their own foxhounds with them. scent hounds is the Dachshund, an
Scent hounds come in all sizes but agile little dog adept at getting in
typically have substantial muzzles and out of tight spots. The
packed with odor-detecting sensors; Otterhound, which hunted
loose, moist lips that also aid scent its quarry in rivers and
detection; and long, pendant ears. Bred streams, sometimes
for staying power rather than speed, swimming for much
they are strong-bodied, especially in of the time, has a
the forequarters. The breeds of scent water-repellent
coat and more
extensive
webbing between its
toes than most dogs.
With a widespread ban on
hunting with hounds in the UK, the
future of breeds such as the English
Foxhound or Harrier is uncertain.
EVER POPULAR
Long-eared and low-slung, the Basset Hound
was once much admired for its hunting ability
and is now loved for its appearance alone.

US_136-137_Scent_Hounds_Opener.indd 137 10/09/19 11:48 AM