When scenthounds navigate the world around them, they follow aromas in the air, on the ground, and across the water. While hunting for game, these hounds use their long ears and large nasal cavities to collect smells that help them locate prey over long distances. Scenthounds rely on their high endurance to track their quarry. A few super-sniffing dogs hunt by sight, too. On the trail, many scenthounds vocalize a series of deep bays鈥斺�滱-roo鈥� 鈥淎-roo鈥� when they鈥檙e excited, nervous, or fearful.
As loyal companions around the house, these hounds aren鈥檛 required to track missing persons or bring home small animals for the family鈥檚 dinner. Still, their scenting instinct aids them in competing in AKC dog sports such as conformation, obedience, AKC Rally, agility, and AKC Scent Work.
蜜桃视频 currently recognizes 20 scenthounds as part of the Hound Group, with the Basset Fauve de Bretagne set to join the group soon. The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) includes breeds with highly sensitive noses.
American English Coonhound
Descended from English Foxhounds brought to America in the early 1800s, the American English Coonhound is a favored hunting companion. Deep-chested with a soft expression, this sleek hound is known for its speed and endurance. Mellow at home, but when competing in an AKC Raccoon Hound Event, this dog is tenacious and determined to pursue raccoons.
American Foxhound
An avid fox hunter, George Washington helped develop the American Foxhound to chase a fox but not kill it. Known as the state dog of Virginia, this breed has longer, more finely-boned legs than an English Foxhound鈥檚. When given plenty of exercise, this breed is sweet-tempered, low-maintenance, and easy-going around the house.
Basenji
Using sight and scent to hunt, the Basenji has an intense instinct to pursue the game. Known as Africa鈥檚 鈥淏arkless Dog,鈥� this breed doesn鈥檛 bark like other dogs but emits odd sounds resembling a mix between a chortle and a yodel. With catlike behaviors, such as grooming itself like a cat, this small and graceful hound needs a well-fenced-in yard. The Basenji excels at lure coursing, tracking, obedience, and agility.
Basset Hound
Low-slung and low-key, the Basset Hound is known for its endurance rather than speed. 鈥淗istorically, Bassets hunted rabbits and deer, but on my property, they occasionally bring home possum and other small game,鈥� says Sylvie McGee, President of the Basset Hound Club of America, Judges鈥� Education Chair, and AKC Gazette Columnist. 鈥淭hey never turn off their eyes and ears to follow a scent and can compete in conformation and Basset Hound Field Trials on the same day.鈥�
Beagle
Merry, outgoing, and curious, the Beagle is easygoing with a sweet expression. A top-notch hunting dog bred to work in packs, this small hound is trained to follow the trail of a rabbit or a hare without harming them. The Beagle is happiest when exercising and takes their job seriously when competing in the AKC Beagle Field Trials.
Black and Tan Coonhound
A large, nocturnal hunter who competes in AKC Raccoon Hound events, the Black and Tan Coonhound descends from colonial foxhounds from Europe. The coal-black breed with tan accents and distinctive 鈥減umpkin seeds鈥� above its eyes dates back to early American settlers who depended on this dog to supply meat, fur, and fat.
Bloodhound
When the Bloodhound shows up to pick up a scent and search for a missing person, everyone acknowledges this dog as the king of all tracking hounds. Their accuracy and determination are indispensable to law enforcement and search parties. Bred around 1000 AD in a Belgian monastery called St. Hubert鈥檚 during the Middle Ages, the Bloodhound followed a trail over long distances to find deer and wild boar.
Bluetick Coonhound
The Bluetick Coonhound is intelligent and deeply devoted to its owner. Named for its mottled, or 鈥渢icked鈥� black-and-blue, glossy coat, this breed is known for being a large, nocturnal hunter. 鈥淚 love listening to a Bluetick trail game,鈥� says Amy McDonald, President and Chairman of the Board of the AKC Parent Club鈥檚 National Bluetick Coonhound Association. 鈥淲hen on a search, the Bluetick bays, bawls, or sounds out distinctive chopping barks. Some Blueticks would rather tree a raccoon than track it, but Blueticks are versatile hounds who make great companions.鈥�
Dachshund
Curious and friendly, long and low, the Dachshund comes in two sizes and three coat types of various colors and patterns. First bred in Germany more than 300 years ago as an independent badger hunter, this short-legged breed competes today in AKC Dachshund Field Trials and AKC Earthdog trials. In fenced-in areas, this breed follows rabbit and hare scent. Judged by their ability to search and explore, they are not encouraged to catch any prey.
English Foxhound
With sturdy, long legs and tremendous stamina, the English Foxhound ran in packs in traditional British foxhunts. The breed鈥檚 pedigree traces back to the first English Foxhound registered in 1909. Today, this affectionate and gentle hound loves nothing better than running after the scent that a fox leaves behind.
Grand Basset Griffon Vend茅en
This sweet-faced scenthound likes to keep busy and seldom tires easily. A large, low, and shaggy dog of the Vend茅en region of France, the Grand Basset Griffon Vend茅en is a rugged, courageous rabbit hunter who prefers the companionship of a pack.
Harrier
Friendly and people-loving, the high prey-driven Harrier is a rare breed. Bred in medieval England to pursue hares, this scenthound is smaller than its relative, the English Foxhound, and more significant than the Beagle. The Harrier is an efficient working pack hound who enjoys pursuing hares today.
Norwegian Elkhound
Known for its lush silver-gray coat, the Norwegian Elkhound carries a historical past. Among Europe鈥檚 oldest breeds, it sailed with the Vikings and appears in Norse art and legends. As companions and watchdogs, the ancient breed鈥檚 athleticism helped follow giant elk or moose and held these animals at bay until the hunter arrived.
Otterhound
Big and boisterous, the even-tempered Otterhound is an ancient scenthound. Known for its thick, waterproof, shaggy coat, webbed feet, and affinity for swimming, this breed protected fish in rivers in medieval England from otters. Picking up an otter鈥檚 underwater scent trail all day, the Otterhound was a valuable hunter to the British gentry.
Petit Basset Griffon Vend茅en
A vivacious rabbit hunter bred to work in a pack on the rugged west coast of France, the Petit Basset Griffon Vend茅en is a smaller version of the Grand Basset Griffon Vend茅en. This breed traces back to the 16th century with a distinctive wiry coat and saber tail.
Plott Hound
A relentless hunting dog with a mellow temperament, the Plott Hound is light-footed and tall with a flashy dark coat. Named North Carolina鈥檚 state dog, this scenthound descended from German Hanover hounds after Johannes Plott, a German immigrant, arrived in North Carolina and used the breed to hunt bears. Today, the Plott is a formidable competitor in AKC Raccoon Hound Events.
Redbone Coonhound
An American original breed developed by American settlers to provide raccoon meat and fur, the medium-to-large Redbone Coonhound has a sleek, mahogany coat. Fast, agile, and tenacious, this scenthound excels at night hunting in AKC Raccoon Hound events.
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Despite its name, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is a fast runner who covers distance quickly with minimum effort. After trailing the scent of game that rushes up a tree, this tricolored hound remains at the base and continuously barks to alert the hunter. These qualities aid the breed鈥檚 performance at AKC Raccoon Hound events. The breed鈥檚 name, 鈥淲alker鈥� comes from Thomas Walker of Virginia, who helped develop it in the mid-1700s.