Hunting dogs - breeds with descriptions, characteristics, names, standards and features

The peak of popularity of these four-legged animals came in the Middle Ages, but due to public indignation and numerous hunting bans, they had to be hastily reclassified as ordinary companions. Despite this fact, the animals still managed to maintain their passion for searching and pursuing wild animals and birds.

general description

When working, hound dogs drive their prey into a trap or chase it until the animal is exhausted. During the process, they bark to give the owner a reference point about their location, so the person does not lose his faithful assistants.

During the Middle Ages, aristocrats preferred whole packs that quickly and deftly lured the “victim” into a trap. Nowadays, few people agree to raise and maintain a large number of dogs on their property, so most often there are solitary four-legged hunters.

Representatives of hunting breeds stand out from the general mass of dogs with their lean appearance. They all have a similar constitution:

• The body is strong, muscular;
• Long paws;
• The tail is straight and does not curl;
• Elongated pointed muzzle;
• The skin tightly fits the body and does not sag;
• The height of dogs is from 55 to 68 cm at the withers;
• The coat is short, with rare exceptions.

In relation to humans, animals are very peaceful - they never attack their owner, but they need special care. Dogs are naturally active and love long walks and outdoor games. Training is only a joy for hounds; without it they become sad.

In raising this type of four-legged pet, one must be strict - if the dog runs away, then it will not be possible to catch it on its own, so it must listen to the owner’s commands and carry them out unquestioningly.

The International Canine Federation distinguishes three sections of hound breeds, depending on the method of driving prey:

• directly the hounds, which work one at a time;
• four-legged animals searching for prey by the smell of blood, acting in a pack;
• related breeds.

When raising and training, experienced dog handlers and hunters must take into account whether the pet belongs to one of the categories.

Appearance

The general impression that the beagle gives is compactness, energy, nobility. Dogs are still relatively small. And in the 15th century. there were very tiny representatives that could easily fit into a pocket.

Beagles have an excellent proportional build. They have deep chests. Strong and wide back. Straight, strong legs with well-developed muscles. The paw pads are thick and the toes are round.

The beagle's tail is not very long, strong and thick. He is set high. It should not fall over on its back or curl into a ring. The coat is short and hard. Fits tightly to the body.

First section – hound dogs

The largest section is divided, in turn, into three groups, depending on the size of the dog. Large and medium-sized breeds are popular among hunters, but small representatives are most often kept as simple domestic dogs.

Large hounds:

English Foxhound

The breed was bred in Great Britain for fox hunting.
The French nobility acquired such pets for tracking larger and more dangerous animals, such as deer and wild boar. The color of dogs can be represented by a combination of white, brown and black colors. Most often there are individuals with a tricolor, but you can see the English Foxhound in a two-color version with a predominance of white.

American Foxhound

Today it is even more popular than its British ancestor. As a result of crossing with the French hound, the “American” acquired graceful features, complemented by an excellent scent and high speed. Such dogs are belligerent when hunting, but at home they have proven themselves to be gentle and affectionate pets.

Bloodhound

The famous Belgian hound, which is rightfully recognized as one of the best.
Such dogs are very devoted to their owner and have all the qualities of hunting dogs - strength, speed, endurance. There are many legends throughout history that tell of the heroism of the Blandhound. Many facts seem incredible, which does not detract from their veracity. Because of its unsurpassed qualities, the breed formed the basis for other representatives of the hounds.

Great Blue Gascony Hound

As you might guess, the breed originates in Gascony, a region of France that is often mentioned in historical films. The basis of the dog's color is gray with a pronounced blue tint. An integral companion of gray are black spots and a “saddle” on the animal’s back. Sometimes red is added to the color scheme - in the abdomen, on the paws and face of the noble pet.

Poitevin Hound

The dog breed, originally from France, is distinguished by its unsurpassed endurance - its representatives are able to track prey for up to 20 hours in a row.
In their homeland, the Poitevins helped drive out wolves. A little later, the standard was divided according to color and skills. The white and black Poitvin hound is suitable for roe deer hunting, while white and orange dogs or animals with a tricolor color scheme (with the addition of black) are universal.

Black and tan coonhound

A cross between the English Foxhound, Poitevin, Bloodhound and some other breeds today is no longer as popular as 5-10 years ago, so the International Canine Federation has recognized it as rare.
The color of the noble Coonhound is based on black, and the paws and muzzle are a soft shade of brown. These intelligent and hardworking dogs with a keen sense of smell have become devoted pets. But dog handlers recommend keeping them in a summer cottage without poultry or livestock. Such a dog must be given enough time for training so that the dog with an independent character is obedient and does not run away from the owner.

Medium hounds:

Austrian Smooth-haired Hound

Rarely found outside Austria, but popular in its native country.
Its representatives are among the few who managed to maintain their appearance unchanged. The dog's height at the withers reaches 57 cm, and its weight does not exceed 23 kg. The coat is black, smooth, shiny, with brown patches on the face and paws. The breed is distinguished by its deep chest and hanging ears. The animal has a peaceful character, so it is not scary to leave it with small children as a nanny.

Norwegian hound

Short-haired hunting dogs of medium height, resulting from crossing the Foxhound and some breeds from Europe. The Norwegian Hound is distinguished by its endurance and resistance to severe frosts. The pet must be kept warm, but it can be kept for a long period of time even in severe frost and deep snow, and this will not harm its health.

Spanish hound

The dog, better known as the Goatee, is still used today in its native country for work. But for home breeding and living with children, it is better to choose another breed, because Spanish pets are kind, but do not love close communication with humans, and show absolute indifference to tenderness and affection.

Northern Griffon

Developed in France and widely distributed throughout its native country. It can also often be found in houses located close to the forest belt. Cunning griffons are unsurpassed pursuers of foxes, and their strength and endurance help them drive down wild boars with ease.

Slovakian hound

Unique of its kind, as it is the only hound breed bred in Czechoslovakia. These four-legged animals have become excellent hunters, guards and loyal friends for humans.

Small hounds:

Basset Hound

The height of these small dogs does not exceed 40 cm, so it is not surprising that over time people have forgotten about their hunting roots. In fact, Basset Hounds are very hardy representatives of the hounds, capable of driving prey on the plain for several hours without a break, and their piercing bark is difficult to confuse with anything. Smart dogs are not aggressive and are not suitable for protection, but they get along well with children and are easy to train.

Swedish marriage

The birthplace of this breed is Sweden, and it is here that marriages are most widespread. Such four-legged pets are perfect for city dwellers who prefer to keep fit on the park's running tracks - the dog will become a faithful companion and will support the owner's active lifestyle.

Beagle

The cute dog, originally from France, was bred in 1974. Her height barely reaches 50 cm at the withers, and her weight fluctuates around 20 kg. Its small stature and love for children have made it a frequent inhabitant of city apartments, however, this does not negate the fact that the hound needs increased physical activity.

Distinctive features

Hound dog breeds, just like greyhounds and pointers, belong to the hunting group. Their main task is to drive the wild beast under the owner’s weapon. They can spend from two hours to several days in pursuit. These dogs are known for their endurance, keen sense of smell, high speed of movement and ringing bark.

Hunting hounds also have external differences from other breeds:

• ears hang freely, tips pointing down;
• the bridge of the nose is straight;
• black lobes;
• lips fit tightly to the jaw;
• large skull;
• the back is straight;
• large breasts;
• muscular paws.

Dogs of these breeds are also distinguished by short, straight hair. Most often they have wolf, merle, red-yellow, piebald or black-backed colors.

Second section – blood trail hounds

When a hunter wounds an animal, the dog follows the scent of blood and follows it, barking to let the owner know where to look for prey. Representatives of this section are united by the following distinct qualities:

• Calmness that persists even during the hunt;
• Acute sense of smell - dogs can distinguish blood, even if it has long been soaked into the ground;
• The four-legged hunter is silent until he finds a trace and immediately gives a sign after finding it;
• The animal follows one scent even if there is a third-party fresh bloody trail nearby.

Since hounds usually hunt large animals, such as elk, on a blood trail, they work best in a pack. Among the representatives of this section are:

Alpine dachshund marriage

This is a universal hound, capable of acting in a pack, in pairs or even alone. A properly trained dog hunts down prey using the standard method or a blood trail, depending on the situation. This breed has been known among hunters for a long time - the first mentions of it appeared even before the invention of firearms.

Bavarian Hound

The short dog has well-developed muscles and a peaceful disposition. Today, the purebred breed is considered rare, so its breeding is strictly controlled by the breeder, even after transfer to the buyer.

Hanoverian Hound

A unique breed of dogs, which today are used not for catching prey, but for searching for animals or even people. The four-legged hunter takes the bloody trail and looks for “prey”, which is then saved by the caretakers of the reserves - the places where the responsible hounds work.

Working qualities

Beagles meet all the requirements for hounds. The element of these dogs is thickets, forests, dense bushes. Therefore, the coat must be hard and short so that the animal does not get hurt on branches and thorns when chasing the animal. The coat should fit well to the body to protect the dog from any weather.

The breed has an excellent sense of smell. Beagles quickly track their prey. This is facilitated by physiological features - a nose with open wide nostrils. Hounds don't bark for no reason. The Beagle fully meets this requirement. Such a pet is quite silent. It only gives voice at the height of the rut, following the trail.

An important quality of a hunting dog is endurance and speed. After all, sometimes you have to pursue prey for a very long time, and in the most difficult conditions. Strong and muscular paws and a long stride allow the dog to cope with this task perfectly.

Beagles combine excellent hunting qualities, high performance, intelligence and the ability to act independently.

Third section – related breeds

There are only two related breeds of hounds, the origin of which has not been accurately established. But according to external data, character, activity, as well as the ability to track prey, they were classified as hunting dogs.

Dalmatian

Unusual dogs are white with many black spots.
There are many references in history to such four-legged pets, but it was not possible to trace their relationship. Judging by the description, the ancestor of the Dalmatian is the Bengal Pointer, but since the latter became extinct, it is impossible to clarify this assumption. Dalmatians are good hunters and guards, kind and devoted friends to humans, and also affectionate companions for children. All these qualities have made the breed a frequent guest in modern families with an active lifestyle.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The uniqueness of this breed lies in the fact that it is the only dog ​​from southern Africa officially recognized by the FCI and included in the register with a detailed description of the standard.
Another feature of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the stripe of hair on the back that grows in the opposite direction. From this stripe you can learn a lot about the dog's pedigree and the purity of its blood. Hound dogs are four-legged pets that have natural grace, an “athletic” physique and a special appearance. These qualities attract many breeders, but we must not forget that such breeds require training and constant physical activity. It is worth getting a hound only if you can provide it with proper care and standard of living.

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Education and training

The choice of parenting methods largely depends on the preferences of the owner. However, do not forget about the puppy’s character. You need to raise a dog from the first months of life, until it is easy to train. The most important requirements are learned during feeding and during walks.

1. Obedience. Individuals need to be vaccinated starting from the age of two months. The idea is to shoo the dog away from the food bowl when he tries to go there. It is recommended to call the puppy by its nickname. After 2-3 minutes, still provide the opportunity to get to the food. You need to raise this way for up to 5 months.
2. Wearing a collar. Teaching your dog to wear it is not that difficult. You need to put the device on so that it does not come off. At first, the puppy will try to remove the uncomfortable object, but then he will get used to it. After about 3 days, you need to call him to you and, taking him by the collar, lightly pull him forward. If the baby resists, give him something tasty and try again.
3. Walking in a bow or in pairs. Here you will need a pair of collars and a belt up to 30 cm long. After the collars are put on, you need to move away from the puppies and call them to follow you. One of the pets may be stubborn. However, after both dogs will go forward.

Proper training of hounds involves the use of a horn. It is better to start learning while walking. First, you need to give the command “stand” and hold the puppy for 1-2 minutes, then give a signal and release him. After a set period of time, for example, a quarter of an hour, the signal sounds again. After this, you need to call the puppy to you.

A six-month-old dog can be taken for walks in the forest. There he will learn how to properly pursue prey.

Beagle characteristics

The Beagle's charm knows no bounds. His cheerful and mischievous character, combined with an intelligent and penetrating gaze, will not leave any dog ​​lover indifferent. It will also make excellent company for your child when walking in the park with a small ball or Frisbee. The Beagle hunting dog breed is a hound dog full of energy, assertive with a stubborn, independent outlook on the world. These dogs consider themselves equal members of the family and will demand to be treated as such. A dog that does not participate in a happy family life will not be happy. Beagles, like many dog ​​breeds, need regular exercise to stay healthy and fit. You need to walk him on a leash, because when he smells it, it will, of course, be very difficult to stop him.

Beagle appearance

The Beagle is a medium breed dog, belonging to the hunting species (mainly for hares) with solid bones and elastic muscles. The dog's weight varies from 7 to 17 kg. Bitches are much smaller than males. Height at the withers ranges from 32 to 40 cm. The most common color of a beagle is tricolor (black, white, red), but the tail at the end should always be white. The coat is thick and short without undercoat, medium hard to the touch and lying close to the body. The skin, unlike pugs, is without wrinkles and folds. Eyes large, dark or light

, in brown shades, always a smart and deep look. The muzzle is not sharp with a black nose at the end. The ears are large, elongated, hanging down to the sides. With the help of an excellent sense of smell, the dog can smell prey from afar, which is why beagles are considered good hunters. And strong jaws are needed in order to squeeze and hold their prey. Also a favorable characteristic for hunting is a long and curved neck. The beagle's legs have smooth, solid bones and strong muscles, which provides them with confident and accurate movements towards the victim. The tail is not short and set high. Has no curls.

Fox terrier

The homeland of the fox terrier is England. The first descriptions of a small hunting dog for hunting animals in holes date back to the 16th century. The Fox Terrier breed was developed from small hunting dogs that Roman soldiers brought with them when they conquered the British Isles. The Roman troops left the islands, but the small fox hunting dog remained. Currently, the Fox Terrier is the property of England.

At the moment, there are two standards for the Fox Terrier breed: – Wire Fox Terrier; - Smooth Fox Terrier. Despite the name, the difference is not only in the type of coat, they are completely different dogs, with different habits and characters.

The Fox Terrier is the most common breed not only in England, but throughout the world. The Fox Terrier has for a long time proven itself to be the best fox hunter, despite its small size, it has enormous power and courage.

Care

Beagles are unassuming. Wool does not require special care. The breed is very clean. The dog can clean itself up after a walk. Periodically, your pet can be cleaned with a rubber brush or terry mitt.

Dogs are very active, so you need to walk them a lot and for a long time. With proper physical activity, the dog will remain in excellent shape, living both in a city apartment and in a private house.

The only thing worth remembering is that Beagles are vagabonds by nature. Therefore, when walking, the pet must be under constant supervision. When keeping in a country house, you need to make sure that the gates in the yard are always closed and that the fence is of sufficient height. Otherwise, the pet will go to explore the world around him.

Beagles are not picky eaters. They are fed either dry formula or natural products. For an adult dog, one hearty meal a day is enough. Animals of this breed are prone to excess weight. Therefore, you should not allow the dog to “bite” or overeat. You should not feed him fatty, sweet, smoked or too salty foods.

Beagles are distinguished by good health. Therefore, with proper care, following the feeding and walking regimen, the pet will not know what poor health is. And visits to the veterinarian will be kept to a minimum.

How to choose a puppy

The best beagle puppies can be purchased from experienced breeders or from a specialized nursery. The price of offspring of famous parents starts from $400. A puppy on the market costs several times less. But such savings can backfire. There is a big risk of buying a sick and unclean animal.

The optimal age at which a puppy is ready for change is 2 months. Therefore, when choosing a pet, you should pay attention to this point. It is better to give preference to active, curious, moderately well-fed children. If the animal shows signs of cowardice or aggression, it is better to refuse the purchase.

In the nursery, you need to carefully examine the puppy’s appearance - whether there is any irritation on the skin or an umbilical hernia, and what condition the coat is in. Check the cleanliness of ears, eyes, teeth.

From the very first days of the beagle's stay in the house, all family members will be imbued with sympathy for this cute dog. A cheerful, active, tireless dog will become a faithful companion in any endeavor - noisy games with children, long hikes, and bike rides.

Purpose

Beagles are, first and foremost, hunters. They are capable of chasing various animals - hares, deer, and even jackals. The dogs work well on the scent and are suitable for hunting birds (they can retrieve downed game).

Excellent sense of smell allows animals to work at customs to search for explosives or drugs. The pet can make an excellent career by taking part in shows or field competitions of hounds.

Good-natured disposition, irrepressible energy, quick wit and sweet appearance make beagles wonderful actors. Representatives of the breed have appeared in dozens of films. The most popular are “Cats vs. Dogs” and “Star Trek”.

Good-natured and cheerful disposition allow beagles to serve in therapeutic centers. A cheerful and patient dog can lift anyone's spirits and improve their well-being.