Sight Hound and Scent Hound Dog Breed Group
Hound Dog Breeds
Hound Dog Breed dogs come in two distinct categories – Sight Hounds and Scent Hounds. Both hound dog groups have been bred traditionally to help their humans while hunting, either on foot or on horseback – making these loyal pups a very popular companion.
Popular Hound Dog Breeds
Hound dogs come in lots of shapes and sizes and are very popular pets in Ireland.
Sight Hounds
Sight Hound breeds have excellent sight and will spot and movement from a distance. These dogs are sprinters by nature and popular breeds include Greyhound, Whippet, Afghan Hound and the Irish Wolfhound. These long-legged dogs are typically quite placid but will always be on the lookout for a fast-moving object to chase!
Scent Hounds
As their name suggest, Scent Hounds have super noses and love to sniff-out their prey! These curious hunters are perfect companions for long walks but patience will be key as they sniff their way along the route. Popular scent hounds include Beagles, Basset Hounds and Dachshunds.
Things to Know About Your Hound Dog
Some important things to know about your hound dog:
- Hound dogs aren’t retrievers and are unlikely to enjoy a game of fetch.
- Scent Hounds will be more partial to soft toys than other toys and may not respond well to training
- Sight Hounds will always be on the look out for a fast moving object to chase to may not live very well with cats
Types of Exercise and Play:
Sight Hounds and Scent Hounds have very different interests so knowing which type of hound you have will be important to help them enjoy their playtime!
What game or activity suits my Scent Hound?
Your Scent Hound will love to play hide and seek – games that involve sniffing out their toys and treats! They are also perfect companions for long-lead walks; long distance running or walking and free-running.
What game or activity suits my Sight Hound?
By comparison to their scent-driven cousins, your Sight Hound will love to high-speed chasing and sprints so games like frisbee or ball-games will be much loved (just don’t expect them to bring their pray back to you!). Sight Hounds prefer shorter, high-intensity workouts to work their long-lean legs.
What toys should I get my hound dog?
Our top recommendations of toys for this type of group are:
Shop Dog Toys
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Chew Toys, Dog, Dog Toys, Puzzle & Treat Dispenser Toys, Shop By Pet
BIONIC Bone Dog Toy
€6.99 – €16.99
*Every dog is different their individual personality and interests may be different to what might be expected from their breed group. The information provided in this blog is to help you understand the typical traits and interests of your dog, but every dog is different their individual personality and interests may be different to what might be expected from their breed group. If you feel you need some additional help understanding your dog, or finding the exercise that suits them best, we recommend booking a session with a local dog trainer.
