RS: By their name, they hunt by sight and are all pretty closely related in their ability to pursue and/or cap- ture prey; they are swift and agile. Obviously the large Sighthounds can take down larger game. Afghan Hounds have been known to take down mountain lions and large gazelle types. Temperament of some Sighthounds, such as Afghan Hounds and Salukis in particular, can be rather aloof. They have their own mind and will generally not cling to people, but are very loyal to their people. PT: Sighthounds are an amazing group of individuals. Their job description is to run down prey. Thus they are built for spurt sprinting and as such are aerodynamic with slender fronts and powerful rears. Their entire make and shape allows them to power forward from strong hind- quarters while the rest of the slender physique creates less air and gravitational resistance. Their functional abil- ity is assisted by slender deep rib cages and defined tuck ups, all of which enables them to execute the double suspension gallop with efficiency. 2. An overview of the Scenthounds (purpose, tempera- ment, popularity, not necessarily by individual breed but in general). GB: The Scenthounds work more in partnership with man and are less independent in nature, probably more easily trained and therefore more popular. Be aware that I do not consider Dachshunds to be Hounds of either type, but Terriers and should either be in the Terrier Group or in their own separate group. MC: Scenthounds may be equally predictable for their innate ability to track game either alone or as part of a pack. Their great ability is driven more by their keen scent ability, more so than a distant sightline. They bring voice into their work—hunters followed their sound in pursuit of game/quarry. Both type of Hounds share mandatory requirements for sound running gear and that starts from the foot up! Poor conformation impacts the foot sustain- ability was needed as these Hounds literally worked for
days. The Royal Family didn’t open the palace gates and let out an Afghan Hound in flowing silky coat and say, “Run down dinner.” The ones that could hunt successful- ly were the ones retained and treated proudly—the same for a Scenthounds, they had to earn their status and only after successful hunts did they earn the rounding of the ear (in Foxhounds) that signified ones ability. Each breed has rich history of how they were worked and if one pays attention to details, they understand the why and how they were intended to work. PS: The basic purpose of the development of the Scen- thounds was to hunt game by scent. As with the Sight- hounds, the Scenthounds are among the oldest of pure breeds. Anthropologists have found deposits with skel- etal remains in caves of hunting with Hounds from 2000 years B.C. As has been pointed out from early on hunting is not merely a sport but a passion never lost, almost a religion. I don’t find the Scenthound as aloof as the Sight- hound. By this remark, I in no way want people to think that the Scenthounds are anxious to please you. They are very happy when then are in packs and do more or less what they want (sleep, eat and hunt). Both Sighthounds and Scenthounds are very intelligent and quick to learn. Scenthounds are very popular among hunters. There are thousands of Beagles, Coonhounds, Bear hounds and Fox- hounds found across this country. RS: Their purpose is to hunt smaller game by using mostly their nose (and in most cases, pendulous ears). These dogs are strong, persevering and agile. Their tempera- ment is usually more biddable and they are interested in being with their owners. Some of the Scenthounds are of course pack dogs and work well in that environment. PT: The wide range of Scenthounds includes those that are hunted while on horseback and those utilized by masters on foot. Scenthounds have very keen noses with great olfactory abilities and musical voices especially utilized by hunters on foot. Because they are pack workers, Scen- thounds are expected to be tractable with one another and willing to work in unison. Both long-legged Scen- thounds and short-legged ones are gifted with drop ears that stir up scent on the ground. 3. Current overall quality of the Group and changes you’ve seen during your tenure as guardians of these breeds? GB: Quality is so very much dependent on the part of the country. Also, seeing really good representatives of the breed in the group ring does not speak to the quality of the dogs defeated or the dogs in the classes. This is especially true in Dachshunds and Afghan Hounds, in my
“BOTH SIGHTHOUNDS AND SCENTHOUNDS ARE VERY INTELLIGENT AND QUICK TO LEARN.”
S how S ight M agazine , J uly 2017 • 189
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