Hounds were originally bred to hunt mammals, particularly badgers, bear, deer, elk, foxes, and rabbits. Many of the oldest breeds are hounds; among them are the bloodhound, saluki, and Norwegian elkhound.

Hounds are typically divided into two groups: sight hounds, breeds that locate game by using their eyesight, and scent hounds, breeds that locate game by using their sense of smell. Some breeds of hounds, such as the basenji, dachshund, Norwegian elkhound, otter hound, and Rhodesian ridgeback, use both senses to hunt game.

The sight hounds, such as the greyhound and saluki, have long, thin legs; long bodies; and light-boned builds. They have short ears, tight lips, and a curved spine. The tail usually curls under the body when the dog is standing. Sight hounds are swift runners that bark and bay as they chase game.

Scent hounds, such as the basset hound and beagle, have fleshy, hanging lips; long ears; and short, smooth coats. Some breeds have folds of skin on the face and neck. Scent hounds are not as fast as sight hounds but have a keener sense of smell.

In the United States, hounds are used to hunt foxes, rabbits, and raccoons. Greyhounds and whippets are used for racing in the United States and Europe.

a sight hound once used to hunt leopards and gazelles in Afghanistan. It has long, hanging ears; large, flat feet; and a curved tail that hangs over its back. The long, silky coat, which may be any color, is heavily feathered on the legs, ears, and tail, and there is a long topknot on the head. The Afghan hound is playful but can be aloof. I deal height: males, 26 to 28 inches (66.0 to 71.1 cm); females, 24 to 26 inches (61.0 to 66.0 cm). Ideal weight: males, 60 pounds (27.2 kg); females, 50 pounds (22.7 kg).

a hardy, intelligent scent hound raised chiefly for fox hunting. The breed was developed from English foxhounds brought to the United States in 1650. The American foxhound has long, hanging ears and an erect tail. The short, hard coat may be any color but it is usually white with patches of black and tan. I deal height: males, 22 to 25 inches (55.9 to 63.5 cm); females, 21 to 24 inches (53.3 to 61.0 cm). Typical weight: 35 to 45 pounds (15.9 to 20.4 kg)

an ancient African hound. It does not bark but makes a yodeling or chortling sound. It has a short, silky coat that is chestnut red, black, or black and tan. The feet, chest, and tip of the tail are white. The basenji has small, erect ears; a deeply furrowed forehead; and a tail that curls tightly over the back. The dog is obedient and good with children. The basenji, unlike other breeds, cleans itself by licking its coat. Ideal height: males, 17 inches (43.2 cm); females, 16 inches (40.6 cm). I deal weight: males, 24 pounds (10.9 kg); females, 22 pounds (10.0 kg).

a short-legged, heavy-boned scent hound bred for rabbit hunting. Its long, floppy ears and wrinkles over the eyes give it a mournful appearance. It has a long tail that is carried erect. The hard coat can be any of a variety of colors, often with a dark, saddle-shaped marking on the back. The dog's scenting ability is second only to that of the bloodhound. I deal height: to 14 inches (35.6 cm). Typical weight: 25 to 45 pounds (11.3 to 20.4 kg).

an active, excitable scent hound bred for rabbit hunting. It is one of the most popular breeds in North America. The beagle has rounded, hanging ears and an erect tail. The coat is short and is a combination of black, tan, and white. Height: Two classes are recognized by the AKC—up to 13 inches (33.0 cm) and 13 to 15 inches (33.0 to 38.1 cm). Typical weight: 18 to 30 pounds (8.2 to 13.6 kg).

a scent hound used for hunting raccoons and opossums at night. It barks when the quarry is treed. The dog has a short, dense coat; long, hanging ears; and a long tail that is held erect. The black and tan coonhound is a hardy dog, able to withstand extreme temperatures. I deal height: males, 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 68.6 cm); females, 23 to 25 inches (58.4 to 63.5 cm). Typical weight: 70 to 80 pounds (31.8 to 36.3 kg).

a large scent hound with loose folds of skin around the head and neck. It has the keenest sense of smell of all dogs. It is used to track lost persons and escaped convicts; after sniffing an article of clothing belonging to the missing person, the dog is able to follow the person's scent on the ground. When it finds the person, it does not attack but stands guard. The bloodhound has long, low-set ears and an otter tail. The short, dense coat is black and tan, red and tan, or tawny. Ideal height: males, 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 68.6 cm); females, 23 to 25 inches (58.4 to 63.5 cm). Typical weight: males, 90 to 110 pounds (40.8 to 49.9 kg); females, 80 to 100 pounds (36.3 to 45.4 kg).

or Russian Wolfhound, a swift sight hound native to Russia. It has small, flat ears; long legs; and a long, curved tail. The long, curly coat is feathered on the legs, tail, and chest, and comes in a variety of colors. The borzoi can be stubborn and requires vigorous daily exercise. I deal height: males, at least 28 inches (71.1 cm); females, at least 26 inches (66.0 cm). I deal weight: males, 75 to 105 pounds (34.0 to 47.6 kg); females, 60 to 90 pounds (27.2 to 40.8 kg).

a low-set, long-bodied hound originally bred to hunt badgers. (The name is German for "badger dog.”) It has a wedge-shaped head; long, rounded ears; short legs; and a tapering tail. Three varieties of coat are recognized by the AKC: (1) short-haired, or smooth; (2) wirehaired; and (3) long-haired. The coat is red, black, chocolate, gray, or white, with tan markings; dappled gray; or brown with dark patches. The dachshund is a popular pet in the United States. Typical height: 9 inches (22.9 cm). Typical weight: 20 pounds (9.1 kg).

a scent hound used in packs for fox hunting. It is sturdier, heavier, and slower than the American foxhound. The English foxhound has rounded, hanging ears and a tail that is held erect. The hard coat is typically white, black, and tan and may have yellow patches. Typical height: males, 25 inches (63.5 cm); females, 24 inches (61.0 cm). Typical weight: males, 70 pounds (31.8 kg); females, 60 pounds (27.2 kg).

an ancient sight hound originally bred for Egyptian royalty. The greyhound is a racing dog and can run up to 38 miles per hour (61 km/h). The dog has a streamlined body; small, fine ears; and a long, thin tail that tapers at the tip. The smooth coat is fawn, brindle, black, or white, with various markings. Ideal height: 27 to 30 inches (68.6 to 76.2 cm). Ideal weight: males, 65 to 70 pounds (29.5 to 31.8 kg); females, 60 to 65 pounds (27.2 to 29.5 kg).

a small English scent hound used for hunting rabbits. It has soft, hanging ears; an erect tail; and a dense coat that may be any color. It is uncommon in the United States, although it has been used here for hunting since colonial times. Ideal height: 19 to 21 inches (48.3 to 53.3 cm). Typical weight: males, 50 pounds (22.7 kg).

an ancient sight hound of Egypt. It has amber eyes, prominent prick ears, and a sickle tail. The coat is smooth or wirehaired, and is red and white, solid red, or solid white. The Ibizan hound is noted for its strength, vigor, and friendliness. Ideal height: males, 23.5 to 27.5 inches (59.7 to 69.9 cm); females, 22.5 to 26 inches (57.2 to 66.0 cm). Ideal weight: males, 50 pounds (22.7 kg); females, 42 to 49 pounds (19.1 to 22.2 kg).

a sight hound originally bred to hunt elk and wolves. It is the tallest breed of dog, and is built like a greyhound but is heavier and stronger. It has small ears that lie flat against the head. The rough, hard coat is gray, brindle, red, black, white, or fawn. The Irish wolfhound is an outdoor dog and needs vigorous daily exercise. Ideal height: males, 32 to 34 inches (81.3 to 86.4 cm); females, more than 30 inches (76.2 cm). Ideal weight: males, at least 120 pounds (54.4 kg); females, at least 105 pounds (47.6 kg).

an ancient hound originally used to hunt elk, wolves, and bears in Norway. It has erect ears, a plumed tail, and a strong, muscular body. The double coat is gray with black-tipped hairs and lighter underparts. The dog makes a friendly, intelligent family pet. Ideal height: males, 20.5 inches (52.1 cm); females, 19.5 inches (49.5 cm). Typical weight: males, 55 pounds (24.9 kg); females, 48 pounds (21.8 kg).

a shaggy hound originally used for hunting otters in England and France. It has long, hanging ears; webbed feet; and a sickle tail that is feathered. The double coat is composed of a coarse outer layer and a water-resistant inner layer. The coat may be any color, but is usually blue and white with tan and black markings. The breed is uncommon in the United States. Ideal height: males, 24 to 27 inches (61.0 to 68.6 cm); females, 22 to 26 inches (55.9 to 66.0 cm). Ideal weight: males, 75 to 115 pounds (34.0 to 52.2 kg); females, 65 to 100 pounds (22.6 to 34.8 kg).

an ancient French hound. It was developed to hunt small game by scent over rough and difficult terrain. The dog is compact, tough, and robust. It has long eyebrows, a beard and mustache, and a tapered tail. The long, rough coat is white with lemon, orange, black, or tricolor markings. Ideal height: 13 to 15 inches (33.0 to 38.1 cm). Ideal weight: males, 38 to 42 pounds (17.2 to 19.1 kg); females, 30 to 34 pounds (13.6 to 15.4 kg).

an ancient Egyptian sight hound bred to hunt rabbits. It has large, erect ears and a tapering, whiplike tail. The short, glossy coat ranges in color from tan to chestnut with white markings on the toes, chest, and tip of the tail. When the dog is excited, the nose and ears turn a deep rose color. The pharaoh hound is intelligent and good with children. Ideal height: males, 23 to 25 inches (58.4 to 63.5 cm); females, 21 to 24 inches (53.3 to 61.0 cm). Typical weight: 40 to 60 pounds (18.1 to 27.2 kg).

a hound originally bred to hunt lions and other large game in Africa. “Ridgeback” refers to the ridge of stiff hair along the spine that grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The Rhodesian ridgeback has a large head; high-set, hanging ears; and a tail that curls up at the tip. It makes a good house pet. Ideal height: males, 25 to 27 inches (63.5 to 68.6 cm); females, 24 to 26 inches (61.0 to 66.0 cm). Ideal weight: males, 75 pounds (34.0 kg); females, 65 pounds (29.5 kg).

the oldest purebred dog in the world. It is believed to be at least 2,000 years old, and was considered sacred by the ancient Arabians. The saluki has hanging ears and a long, curved tail. The long, graceful body is covered with silky hair, and the ears, legs, and tail are feathered. The coat is white, cream, fawn, golden, red, white, or black and tan. The saluki is a swift sight hound and was once used to hunt gazelles but is now used in racing. Typical height: 23 to 38 inches (58.4 to 96.5 cm). Typical weight: 55 to 60 pounds (24.9 to 27.2 kg).

a large sight hound originally bred to hunt deer in Scotland. It has a long, narrow head; a pointed muzzle; button ears; and a long tail that hangs down. The wiry coat is gray-blue. The Scottish deerhound makes a quiet, obedient family dog. Typical height: males, 30 to 32 inches (76.2 to 81.3 cm); females, over 28 inches (71.1 cm). Ideal weight: males, 85 to 110 pounds (38.6 to 49.9 kg); females, 75 to 95 pounds (34.0 to 43.1 kg).

a racing dog developed from the greyhound. It can reach a speed of 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). This sight hound has a streamlined body; small ears held flat against the head; and a whiplike tail carried under the body. The sleek, short coat is gray, tan, brindle, or white. The whippet makes a quiet family pet. Ideal height: 19 to 22 inches (48.3 to 55.9 cm); females, 18 to 21 inches (45.7 to 53.3 cm). Typical weight: males, 28 pounds (12.7 kg); females, 20 pounds (9.1 kg).