by KYW's Nan Talleno
The word hound is derived from the German word “hund” which means dog. According to the American Kennel Club, the hound group encompasses approximately twenty-three breeds of dogs. These include the Greyhound, the Irish Wolfhound, the Whippet, the Basenji, the American Foxhound, the Basset Hound, the Afghan Hound, the English Foxhound, the Coonhound, the Saluki, the Dachshund, the Beagle, the Borzoi, the Scottish Deerhound, the Otterhound, the Bloodhound, the Norwegian Elkhound, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, Ibizan Hound, the Pharoah Hound, the Harrier, the Plott, and the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen. The smallest member of the hound group is the beagle.
Hounds share a common ancestral trait of which they were once bred for hunting.
Scenthounds such as the Beagle, Dachshund, the Bloodhound, Otterhound the Rhodesian Ridgeback, among others, possess a keen sense of smell. Many scenthounds originally hunted together in packs creating a howling or baying sound to alert their location.
Sighthounds (also known as Gazehounds) such as Greyhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, Saluki, Whippets, possess a higher developed sense of sight with a wider range of vision. They were bred primarily to hunt their prey by their keen eyesight and swift speed. The fastest of the sighthounds, can reach speeds over 40 miles per hour.
Hounds are loving and extremely loyal and devoted companions.
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