Scent hounds
Scent hounds (Scenthounds) are a type of hound that primarily hunts by scent rather than sight. The Scenthound breeds are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitive noses among canines.
Scenthounds specialize in following a smell or scent. Most of these breeds have long, drooping ears. One theory says that this trait helps to collect scent from the air and keep it near the dog's face and nose. They also have large nasal cavities, the better to process scent. Their typically loose, moist lips are said to assist in trapping scent particles.
Most of these breeds have deep, booming voices and use them actively when running, and especially when following a scent trail. Although this can be a nuisance in settled areas, it is a valuable trait that allows the dog's handler to follow the dog or pack of dogs during a hunt even when they are out of sight, such as when following a fox or raccoon through woodland.
Scenthounds do not need to be as fast as sighthounds because they do not need to keep prey in sight, but they need endurance so that they can stick with a scent and follow it for long distances over rough terrain. The best scent hounds can follow a scent trail even across running water and even when it is several days old.
Most scenthounds are used for hunting in packs, sometimes with multiple dogs in a single pack. Longer-legged hounds run more quickly and usually required that the hunters follow on horseback; shorter-legged hounds allowed hunters to follow on foot. Hunting with some breeds, such as German bracke, American Foxhounds, or coonhounds, involves allowing the pack of dogs to run freely while the hunters wait in a fixed spot until the dogs' baying announces that the game has been "treed". The hunters then go to the spot on foot, following the sound of the dogs' baying.
Scent hounds breeds list:
Artesian-Norman Basset
2010-01-07
The Artesian Norman Basset was produced in the nineteenth century by two famous breeders, Louis Lane and Count Le Coulteux de Canteleu, from the Norman Basset (or Lane Basset). ...
Petit basset griffon vendeen
2010-01-07
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a French scent hound developed first and foremost to hunt small game over the rough and difficult terrain of the Vendéen region. To function efficiently, he must be equipped with certain characteristics....
Dalmatian
2010-01-06
The Dalmatian is a distinctively spotted dog; poised and alert; b, muscular and active; free of shyness; intelligent in expression; symmetrical in outline; and without exaggeration or coarseness....
Finnish Hound
2010-01-06
The coat of the Finnish Hound is short, but dense and coarse to the touch. Colors include tan with black saddle; small white markings on head, chest, feet and tail tip....
Bloodhound
2010-01-05
The Bloodhound possesses, in a most marked degree, every point and characteristic of those dogs which hunt together by scent (Sagaces). He is very powerful, and stands over more ground than is usual with hounds of other breeds....
Beagle
2010-01-04
The skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium broad and full. Ears--Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the end of the nose;...
Polish Lowland
2010-01-04
Medium-sized, cobby, strong and muscular, with a long, thick coat and hanging hair that covers the eyes. His herding and working ability is attributed to an intense desire to please and compatible nature....
Basset Hound
2010-01-03
The Basset Hound possesses in marked degree those characteristics which equip it admirably to follow a trail over and through difficult terrain. It is a short-legged dog, heavier in bone, size considered, than any other breed of dog....
Bavarian Mountain Scenthound
2010-01-03
Courageous, spirited, fast and agile, the Bavarian Moutain Dog is at ease on a rugged terrain. With his superb nose and powerful hunting instinct, he was originally used on chamois but can hunt all other game....
Rhodesian ridgeback
2010-01-03
The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed....
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