Scent hounds (orscenthounds)[1] are atype ofhound that primarily hunts byscent rather thansight. Thesebreeds arehunting dogs and are generally regarded as having some of the most sensitivenoses amongdogs. Scent hounds specialize in following scent or smells. Most of them tend to have long, drooping ears and large nasal cavities to enhance smell sensitivity. They need to have relatively high endurance to be able to keep track of scent over long distances and rough terrain. It is believed that they were first bred by theCelts bycrossbreedingmastiff-type dogs withsighthounds. The first established scent hounds were St. Hubert Hounds (the ancestor of today'sbloodhounds) bred bymonks inBelgium during theMiddle Ages.[2]
Hounds are hunting dogs that hunt either by following the scent of a game animal (scent hounds) or by following the animal by sight (sighthounds). There are many breeds in thescent hound type, and scent hounds may do other work as well, so exactly which breeds should be calledscent hound can be controversial. Kennel clubs assign breeds of dogs togroups, which are loosely based on breedtypes. Each kennel club determines which breeds it will place in a given group.
Scent hounds 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, which helps them scent better. Their typically loose, moist lips are said to assist in trapping scent particles.
Because scent hounds tend to walk or run with their noses to the ground, many scent hound breeds have been developed such that the dog will hold their tail upright when on a scent. In addition, some breeds (e.g., beagle) have been bred to have white hair on the tips of their tails. These traits allow the dog's master to identify it at a distance or in longer grass.
Scent hounds do not need to be as fast as sighthounds, because they do not need to keep prey in sight, but they need endurance so 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 scent hounds are used for hunting in packs of multiple dogs. Longer-legged hounds run more quickly and usually require that the hunters follow on horseback; shorter-legged hounds allow hunters to follow on foot. Hunting with some breeds, such asGerman Bracke,American Foxhounds, orcoonhounds, 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.[3]
Most scent hounds have a range of vocalizations, which can vary depending upon the situation the dog finds itself in. Their baying voice—most often used when excited and useful in informing their master that they are following ascent trail—is deep and booming and can be distinct from their barking voice, which itself can have variations in tone, from excited to nervous or fearful.
As they are bred to "give voice" when excited, scent hounds may bark much more frequently than other dog breeds. 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 afox orraccoon through woodland.
TheFédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) places scent hounds into their classification "Group 6". This includes a subdivision, "Section 2, Leash Hounds", some examples of which are theBavarian Mountain Hound (Bayrischer Gebirgsschweisshund, no. 217), theHanover Hound (Hannover'scher Schweisshund, no. 213), and theAlpine Dachsbracke (Alpenländische Dachsbracke, no. 254). In addition, theDalmatian and theRhodesian Ridgeback are placed in Group 6 as "Related breeds".
Genetic studies indicate that the scent hounds are more closely related to each other than they are with other branches on the dog family tree.[4]
Thescent hound type includes the following breeds:
TheScenthound Group is the group category used by theUnited Kennel Club (US), which it divides into two categories. The first includes the American hunting dogs known ascoonhounds and the European hounds from which they were developed. These are referred to as Tree Hounds. The category also includescurs, American dogs bred for hunting a variety of game, such assquirrels,raccoons,opossums,bobcats,cougars,American black bears, andferal pigs. The second category is referred to as Trailing Scenthounds, and includes dogs used for tracking of humans, reputedly descended from the St. Hubert Hounds.[5]
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