Dog Breeds 101- The Hound Pt2

The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large dog used for scent hunting everything from raccoons to bears. It trails a scent slowly and then gives a characteristic howl the moment its quarry is treed or cornered, holding the quarry at bay until the hunter arrives. Descriptions include "alert, friendly, eager and at the same time aggressive and slow"; capable of "withstanding rigorous winters and hot summers and difficult terrain"; "consummate skill and determination while scenting and keeping its quarry at bay"; "easygoing"; "amiable, even temper"; "gentle with people"; "stubborn and bold, needing firm, patient training."

Behavior problems may include food stealing and howling if left alone.

Personality Profile

Intelligent, loyal, eager, and good-natured are all apt descriptions of the Black and Tan Coonhound. A kind, confident, bright, and courageous hound, he is in his glory when working an open trail and treeing a raccoon. Although he's big and ready, he's also mellow when he's not on the trail. He makes an excellent hunter and fireside companion. The Black and Tan Coonhound can be excitable when roused, so socializing him to different animals and people, including children, is advisable.

Care Requirements

Exercise

Vigorous walks are necessary for his fellow, who was bred to work all night if necessary. He's an athletic dog for his size, and if he's not going out hunting with you, he'll need an alternately stimulating way to release his energy.

Feeding

The Black and Tan Coonhound needs a high-quality, nutritious diet.

Grooming

His short, sleek coat comes clean with a once-over with a hound glove. It's his pendulous ears that need regular attention, as they can harbor infections.

Health

The average life span of the Black and Tan Coonhound is 10-14 years. Breed health concerns may include ear infections and hip dysplasia.

Training

The Black and Tan Coonhound responds well to training and learns quickly, as long as his handler is positive and patient. His favorite pastime is hunting, and he is a quick study. His intelligence and kindness make him receptive to obedience training, and he learns fast.

The Bloodhound is considered the best scent tracker of all the 123 breeds. The name is derived from the fact that the breed has been kept pure-blooded and has nothing to do with liking blood. Descriptions include "tracks, but never attacks"; "strong"; "possessing stamina and determination...some specimens following human quarry up to 138 miles with success and being able to follow trails 100 hours old"; "no sparkler, easygoing and the most docile of all breeds, lovable, patient and kindly"; "gentle with people"; "somewhat stubborn."

Behavior problems stemming from the purpose for which the breed was developed may include excessive sniffing of embarrassing locations, roaming and baying when left alone. Bloodhounds may also steal food occasionally, snore and drool.

Personality Profile

The Bloodhound is a kind-souled hound who gets along with everyone. Large and loose skinned, he is a gentle and loving presence wherever he goes. Bred to be single-minded and persistent, the Bloodhound is often more interested in what's on the ground than in what his owner is trying to show or tell him. He needs a safely enclosed yrad or will follow his nose into trouble. Bred to be a pack animal. Bloodhounds do not thrive if left alone.

Care Requirements

Exercise

Although the Bloodhound doesn't need vigorous exercise, he is a large dog who needs regular exercise to keep his mind and body sharp. Going for walks on a long leash in a park where he can find and track scents make him happiest.

Feeding

Bloodhounds need a high-quality, nutritious diet. They tend to drool, especially around food.

Grooming

It's not the fur on a Bloodhound that demands the attention of a groomer, although it does need brushing to keep off the dead hair and stimulate the skin. Instead, it's the wrinkles on his face and his large, droopy ears that keep a groomer busy. The folds and sage are prone to injury and infection, and the ears must be kept clean.

Health

The average life span of the Bloodhound is 10-12 years. Breed health concerns may include bloat; ear infections; entropion; and hip dysplasia.

Training

Lay a track and a Bloodhound can perform like no other; ask him for a quick "come," and an owner may be pressing his luck. It's not that Bloodhounds don't want to obey, it's just that this independent-minded breed is inclined to think that it's not that important. It takes patience and consistency to train a Bloodhound.

The Borzoi (pronounced BAWR-zoy), once known as the Russian Wolfhound, is a very large, long and lean dog that was developed to course in packs by sight. Descriptions include "undemanding of its owner"; "extremely well-tempered up to a point, then may suddenly bite if annoyed"; "somewhat stubborn."

Behavior problems may include roaming, irritable snapping, touch shyness and perhaps, picky eating.

Personality Profile

Remarkably calm and cat-like indoors, the Borzoi is self-aware and dignified. He likes those around him to act in a similar manner and doesn't take well to boisterousness or roughhousing. He is extremely loyal and affectionate but has a stubborn streak due to his independent nature.

Care Requirements

Exercise

Although capable of reaching great speeds- and when in full stride he is a sight of beauty--the Borzoi doesn't require a great deal of exercise. Daily walks or running in a safety enclosed area will keep him fit. For safety, Borzoi should never be left to run off lead busy streets.

Feeding

Borzoi eat surprisingly little for such a large dog. A high-quality diet is recommended.

Grooming

His soft wavy coat is easy to care for and should be brushed every day or two. During a seasonal shed, brushing should be more frequent. The hair between his toes needs to be kept short, and the thin skin on the face should be tended to with a soft, damp cloth.

Health

The average life span of the Borzoi is 11-14 years. Breed health concerns may include bloat; hip dysplasia; osteochondritis dissecans (OCD); and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).

Training

The Borzoi is a competitive lure courser, whole-heartedly taking to the chase when given the opportunity. He is intelligent, but his independent streak can make basic obedience a challenge. Patience and consistency are key when training a Borzoi.

Dachshund (pronounced DOCKS-Hoond) is a general name for six separate varieties, each of which exhibits the very short legs and long body characteristic of these dogs. The six varieties are the result of the combination of two sizes (small and miniature) and three coat types (short, long and wiry). They were developed to hunt badgers into their holes and to dig them out or go in after them. Descriptions include "always clowning around, jumping, romping and digging a lot, hilarious at play"; "lively and courageous to the point of rashness"; "going from resting to play in seconds"; "stubborn and bold."

Behavior problems may include excessive barking, snapping when irritated, house soiling and food stealing.

Personality Profile

Lively, alert, comic, and kind, the longhaired Dachshund is a companion who may be short of leg but is not short of personality. He is still a talented hunter the world over, and those instincts are clearly visible in his love of digging and chasing after backyard prey--even groundhogs. When threatened or suspicious, he is a great protector of his family, whom he loves. Most of all, he is known as a versatile and charming pet, as comfortable in a big-city apartment as he is in a rural environment.

Care Requirements

Exercise

The Dachshund is an active and inquisitive hound who is curious about everything. This desire must be expressed and fulfilled in several daily walks--preferably long but not strenuous ones. He is built to hunt and can handle rough terrain and the vigor of a good dig. But he is not bred for long, sustained periods of exercise, and when his work (or walk) is done, he is ready to nap.

Feeding

The Dachshund is a hearty eater whose weight should be monitored; in fact, overfeeding him and allowing him to become overweight is unhealthy, as it stresses his already unusual physique and compounds problems of his back and joints. A high-quality, age-appropriate diet is best.

Grooming

The longhaired Dachshund's fine fur can knot and mat if not brushed regularly. The breed's long ears are prone to infection and so must be checked often.

Health

The average life span of the Dachshund is 12-14 years. Breed health concerns may include Cushing's syndrome; dental problems; epilepsy; hypothyroidism; invertebral disk disease; and patellar luxation.

Training

Dachshunds are scenthounds and therefore easily distracted by scents all around them. Considering how far away they are from their vocal source of direction (humans) to begin with, it's no wonder they can seem unresponsive to training. As first-rate companions, they do want to please, and an upbeat, positive approach to training--along with persistence--will win them over to doing what is asked of them. Sports or activities that involve repeated jumping are not the best for Dachshunds because of the back problems that can develop.