hound, classification used by breeders and kennel clubs to designate dogs bred to hunt animals. Most of the dogs in this group hunt by scent, their quarry ranging from such large game as bear or elk to small game and vermin; ground scenters trail slowly with the head low, and air scenters hunt with head breast-high. Also classified as hounds are several long-legged breeds that hunt mainly by sight. A third variety, called treeing hounds, also track by scent; these dogs pursue tree-climbing animals, such as raccoons and opossums. Many scent hounds have a coat characteristically patterned in "hound colors": black, white, and tan. The following hound breeds are registered with the American Kennel Club: Afghan hound Afghan hound (ăf`găn), breed of tall, swift hound originating about 5,000 years ago in ancient Egypt.
..... Click the link for more information. , American foxhound American foxhound, breed of sturdy, medium-sized hound developed in America over 300 years ago. It stands about 23 in. (58 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 60 and 70 lb (27–32 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , basenji basenji (bəsĕn`jē)
..... Click the link for more information. , basset hound basset hound, breed of short-legged, long-bodied hound developed centuries ago in France. It stands from 12 to 15 in. (30.1–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 25 to 50 lb (11.3–22.7 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , beagle beagle, breed of small, compact hound developed over centuries in England and introduced into the United States in the 1870s. It stands between 10 and 15 in. (25.4–38.1 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 20 and 40 lb (9.1–18.1 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , bloodhound bloodhound, breed of large hound whose ancestors were known in the Mediterranean region before the Christian era. It stands about 25 in. (63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 80 and 110 lb (36.3–49.9 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , borzoi borzoi (bôr`zoi), breed of tall, swift hound developed in Russia in the early 17th cent., also called Russian wolfhound.
..... Click the link for more information. , black-and-tan coonhound coonhound, black-and-tan, breed of large hound developed in the United States. It stands from 23 to 27 in. (58–69 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 70 to 85 lb (32–38 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , dachshund dachshund (dăks`h
..... Click the link for more information. , English foxhound English foxhound, breed of medium-sized, swift hound perfected in England in the 17th and 18th cent. It stands from 21 to 25 in. (53.3–63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 60 to 70 lb (27.2–31.8 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , greyhound greyhound, breed of tall, swift, sight hound developed nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt. It stands about 26 in. (66 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 65 lb (29.5 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , harrier harrier, breed of medium-sized hound whose origin is obscure but whose existence in England dates from the 13th cent. It stands from 19 to 21 in. (48.3–53.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 40 to 50 lb (18.1–22.7 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , Irish wolfhound Irish wolfhound, breed of very large hound whose origins may be traced back many centuries in Ireland. The tallest of dogs, it stands about 34 in. (86.4 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 140 lb (63.5 kg). Its rough, wiry coat is usually gray in color.
..... Click the link for more information. , Norwegian elkhound Norwegian elkhound, breed of compact hound whose origins in Norway go back more than 5,000 years. It stands about 19 in. (48.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 50 lb (18.1–22.7 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , otterhound otterhound, breed of large hound developed in England over centuries. It stands about 25 in. (63.5 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs up to 65 lb (29.5 kg). The water-repellent double coat is composed of hard, oily outer hairs and a thick, woolly undercoat.
..... Click the link for more information. , Rhodesian ridgeback Rhodesian ridgeback, sometimes called the African lion hound, breed of large, muscular hound developed in South Africa in the 16th and 17th cent. It stands from 24 to 27 in. (61.0–68.6 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs between 65 and 75 lb (29.5–34.
..... Click the link for more information. , Scottish deerhound Scottish deerhound, breed of tall hound developed in Scotland in the 16th and 17th cent. It stands from 28 to 32 in. (71.1–81.3 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs from 75 to 110 lb (34.0–49.9 kg).
..... Click the link for more information. , Saluki Saluki (səl
..... Click the link for more information. , and whippet whippet, breed of small, slender hound developed in England in the mid-18th cent. It stands between 18 and 22 in. (45.7–55.8 cm) high at the shoulder and weighs about 20 lb (9 kg). Its close-lying, smooth coat may be any color but is usually white, tan, or gray.
..... Click the link for more information. .

hound

Classification of hunting dogs that is more general than setter, retriever, pointer, or other sporting dog categories. Most hounds were bred and trained to track by scent or sight. Scent hounds (e.g., bloodhound, dachshund) are trained to scent in the air or on the ground. Sight hounds (e.g., saluki, Afghan hound) were developed to chase game by sight over long distances. Hounds such as beagles, basset hounds, and foxhounds run in packs; Afghan hounds, borzois, salukis, and others run alone.

hound¹

a. any of several breeds of dog used for hunting

b. (in combination)

2. the hounds a pack of foxhounds, etc.

3. (in hare and hounds) a runner who pursues a hare

4. ride to hounds or follow the hounds to take part in a fox hunt with hounds

hound²

1. either of a pair of horizontal bars that reinforce the running gear of a horse-drawn vehicle

2. Nautical either of a pair of fore-and-aft braces that serve as supports for a topmast

hound (redirected from hounded)

hound

hound
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