AKC group

The Hound group

Hunters that track by scent or chase by sight.

Every hound was bred to chase warm-blooded quarry, but they don't all go about it the same way. Sighthounds are sleek and long-legged. They hunt with their eyes, using wide vision and explosive speed to run down fast prey like jackrabbits and antelope. Scenthounds are sturdier and hunt with their noses, trailing anything from raccoons to, historically, escaped convicts. Most hounds share a strong prey drive, and once a hound locks onto a sight or smell, it tends to stay locked on. That single-minded focus is the whole reason these breeds exist, and it's also why a hound off-leash can be a gamble.

Sources: American Kennel Club, The 7 AKC Dog Breed Groups Explained

6 Hound breeds

Filter further