Hound Group
Hound Group

May be the oldest purebred
dogs.
They are a very diverse lot with a
common ancestral trait used for
hunting.
They can be used for sight (gaze
hounds): do not depend on
anything except sight; scent
hounds: do not depend on
anything but scent, OR a
combination of the two.
Basenji “bush thing”
Click here to watch the video
A small, short haired breed developed in
Africa (Zaire) for hunting then ….
Hunt by sight and scent.
Known as the “barkless dog” because
they make yodeling noises instead of
barking (bells).
Much like a cat, they naturally keep
themselves clean by licking, and only
require occasional grooming.
Sporting Group
(According to AKC)
Sporting Group
Definition:
They are generally specialized hunters
that locate game and then collect it; they
are active, alert, likeable and good
companions. However, they need lots of
exercise.
Three General Groups
Forerunners: Pointers and setters that find
game and silently point toward it.
Flushing dogs: Pointers, setters, and spaniels
that move game “Flush it” toward the hunter
Retrievers: Generally large strong dogs with
good noses and excellent eyesight that fetch the
game and return it to the hunter
Brittany
Watch video
 Named for a French Province (originated in
France).
 They are natural pointers and excellent retrieve
& make great hunting companions.
 Ht: 17.5-20.5 & Wt: 30-40lb
 Require a few minutes of brushing / grooming
each day.
Brittany, cont.
Have very friendly temperaments & love
people. Get along well with other dogs.
“Max quality -- min size”
Easily trained, submissive & want to
please although they can be talkative.
Tail is naturally short (less than 4 inches)
or docked for competition.
Life exp. is 12 years & their hips should
be tested (WHY?)
Cocker Spaniel
Watch video
 Smallest member of the sporting group.
 Establish in the U.S in 1880 and dev. into a
separate breed from the English Cocker
Spaniel; recognized as separate breeds in
1930’s.
 L.E. = 12, Ht 13.5 -15.5in
 Silky, flat, or wavy coat requiring high
maintenance grooming (why is cocker in the
name?)
 Can be shown in the AKC within numerous
color classes (black, ASCOB, parti, etc.)
akc.org fun pictures
Cocker Spaniel cont.
Great family dogs, good with humans, playful,
gentle, obedient and intelligent.
Can adapt to city living, but they need lots of
exercise & can be talkative.
Common health problems include Otitis externa
(outer ear infection), hip dysplasia & eye
problems
Have been known to be “fear biters” but good
good breeders & good owners can help with this
Golden Retriever
 Although Great Britain is credited with first
having them, it was probably 1st bred in Scotland
to retrieve game & first got their name in 1920.
 They have been used with increasing frequency
as a guide for the blind, but at the same time they
are excellent hunters and even better pets. (Not a
good guard dog)
 L.E. = 13 although common problems include hip
dysplasia & eye problems
 Last year … were the 2nd most registered
(therefore popular) AKC breed!
akc.org fun pictures
Golden Retriever cont.
Can adapt to living in an apartment, but not
recommended because they need lots of exercise,
constant grooming, & can be talkative.
They hate being left alone & if done it can lead
them to being destructive in the home. (Need firm
training).
It’s intelligence and good looks have made it one
of the world’s most well-loved breeds.
Irish Setter
Watch video
 Believed to have developed from a mix of Water
Spaniel, Irish Terrier, English Setter, Spaniel, Pointer,
and Gordon Setter !!!
 Became a popular breed in Great
Britain during the 18th century, and
the solid red color was first seen in
Ireland in 19th century
 Ht: 25-27” & Wt: 60-70lbs
Irish Setter, cont.
 Bred to scent out game, an instinct difficult to
overcome when training
 Affectionate and anxious to please owner,
athletic and very energetic, talkative, but a
great family dog
 Rich chestnut colored coat takes considerable
grooming …any black markings on the coat are
a big No No
 Life expectancy 12 years; problems with eyes
and hip dysplasia
Basenji continued
Height: 16 to 17 in; Weight: 22-24 lbs.
Known to be playful, alert, intelligent,
and independent. L.E. = 15yr
Affectionate and protective of owner, but
stay reserved from strangers.
Can be a good indoor dog, but if
unoccupied and bored, they can
become destructive.
Therefore, they require regular, vigorous
exercise.
Bloodhound
(where’s the name from?)
CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO
Breed is known for its amazing scent skills,
& its testimony is acceptable in court.
Ht: 26in & Wt. 100lb
Has loose and thin skin most notably
around the neck area (why is this a good
thing?)
Originated in Belgium
Bloodhound, cont.
Mostly gentle and affectionate
but when trailing a scent it is
hard to call them back.
Great companions with
approximately a 10 yr L.E
Most common problems are
associated with eyelids,
bloating and hip dysplasia
Used by police by early 1800’s
although around before the
Crusades
Dachshund (Badger hound)
Click for video
 Can be smooth, wire or long haired (all three have
differences in personality, too)
 Standard: Ht: 10in & Wt. 16-32lb & Miniature: Ht:
6in & Wt: 11lbs
 Developed over 300 yrs ago in Germany to hunt
badgers
 May have back problems, and long hair breeds
should be eye tested (Life exp. 11 yrs)
Dachshund, cont.
 Breed varieties been around at least since 15th
century
 Combination of sight and scent hound & they are
very determined & very talkative
 Badgers can be 40lb! Hunted wild boar!
 They can have bad attitudes & can be very
possessive of their owners (while being a good
watch dog … this can cause biting problems)
Norwegian Elkhound
Primarily used to hunt elk, bear, moose
and other big game (lots of stamina).
Descended from Norway as early as
5000 B.C. (Vikings)
Height- 20 in and weight- 50lbs
Independent, friendly and calm with his
family but aggressive towards other
dogs.
Norwegian elkhound cont.
Common problems include
blindness, skin disorders, hip
dysplasia, and renal disease.
Requires 30 min walks 2x a day
& regular brushing.
Referred to as part of the Spitz
family, or northern breeds.
LE of 12 yr
Sporting Group
(According to AKC)
Sporting Group
Definition:
They are generally specialized hunters
that locate game and then collect it; they
are active, alert, likeable and good
companions. However, they need lots of
exercise.
Three General Groups
Forerunners: Pointers and setters that find
game and silently point toward it.
Flushing dogs: Pointers, setters, and spaniels
that move game “Flush it” toward the hunter
Retrievers: Generally large strong dogs with
good noses and excellent eyesight that fetch the
game and return it to the hunter
Brittany
 Named for a French Province (originated in
France).
 They are natural pointers and excellent retrievers
& make great hunting companions.
 Ht: 17.5-20.5 & Wt: 30-40lb
 Require a few minutes of brushing / grooming
each day.
Brittany, cont.
Have very friendly temperaments & love
people. Get along well with other dogs.
“Max quality -- min size”
Easily trained, submissive & want to
please although they can be talkative.
Tail is naturally short (less than 4 inches)
or docked for competition.
Life exp. is 12 years & their hips should
be tested (WHY?)
Cocker Spaniel
 Smallest member of the sporting group.
 Establish in the U.S in 1880 and dev. into a
separate breed from the English Cocker Spaniel;
recognized as separate breeds in 1930’s.
 L.E. = 12, Ht 13.5 -15.5in
 Silky, flat, or wavy coat requiring high
maintenance grooming (why is cocker in the
name?)
 Can be shown in the AKC within numerous color
classes (black, ASCOB, parti, etc.)
akc.org fun pictures
Cocker Spaniel cont.
Great family dogs, good with humans, playful,
gentle, obedient and intelligent.
Can adapt to city living, but they need lots of
exercise & can be talkative.
Common health problems include Otitis externa
(outer ear infection), hip dysplasia & eye
problems
Have been known to be “fear biters” but good
good breeders & good owners can help with this
Golden Retriever
 Although Great Britain is credited with first
having them, it was probably 1st bred in Scotland
to retrieve game & first got their name in 1920.
 They have been used with increasing frequency
as a guide for the blind, but at the same time they
are excellent hunters and even better pets. (Not a
good guard dog)
 L.E. = 13 although common problems include hip
dysplasia & eye problems
 Last year … were the 2nd most registered
(therefore popular) AKC breed!
akc.org fun pictures
Golden Retriever cont.
Can adapt to living in an apartment, but not
recommended because they need lots of exercise,
constant grooming, & can be talkative.
They hate being left alone & if done it can lead
them to being destructive in the home. (Need firm
training).
It’s intelligence and good looks have made it one
of the world’s most well-loved breeds.
Irish Setter
 Believed to have developed from a mix of Water
Spaniel, Irish Terrier, English Setter, Spaniel, Pointer,
and Gordon Setter !!!
 Became a popular breed in Great
Britain during the 18th century, and
the solid red color was first seen in
Ireland in 19th century
 Ht: 25-27” & Wt: 60-70lbs
Irish Setter, cont.
 Bred to scent out game, an instinct difficult to
overcome when training
 Affectionate and anxious to please owner,
athletic and very energetic, talkative, but a
great family dog
 Rich chestnut colored coat takes considerable
grooming …any black markings on the coat are
a big No No
 Life expectancy 12 years; problems with eyes
and hip dysplasia