The Medium-Sized Anglo-French Hound was developed in 16th century France to hunt small game such as hare and fox. This scenthound is the result of crossing various French hound breeds with English hounds. He is considered a French breed himself as this was his country of origin. He is known for his swiftness and stamina in the hunt, as well as his tenacious yet generally agreeable temperament. He is a hunting dog through and through, and can be quite adaptable at the sport when need be – even being used for hunting wild boar!

The Anglo-French is a pack hunting dog and thus gets along quite well with other dogs. His medium size also makes it easy to fit him into a multi-dog household with any size dogs. While he is easy to integrate into a group of dogs, he isn’t easily integrated into city (or even suburban) living. This is an active hunting breed that needs lots of room to run! Like many scenthounds, he needs very little training to do what he loves to do (hunt!) but won’t flourish in the typical 9-5 family home. A prospective owner who doesn’t plan to hunt with this dog should prepare to spend lots of time exercising the dog and giving him plenty of mental stimulation!

Each Anglo-French Hound comes in one of three coat colors: tricolor, white and orange, or white and black. The coat is always smooth and tight to the skin, and requires only a quick weekly brush-down to keep healthy except during heavy shedding seasons, when he’ll require a bit more although nothing extreme. This is a low maintenance breed in terms of grooming which should not require professional assistance. Despite having a low level of oil in his coat, he doesn’t require frequent bathing either unless desired. Make sure to brush teeth regularly and trim nails weekly.

The Medium-Sized Anglo-French is an intelligent yet independent breed who can be a challenging to train in anything other than “the nose sports”. For this reason he is not recommended for novice owners. He can be very willful when he wants to be, especially when distracted by an interesting scent. After all, hunting is the number one passion of this breed! The owner that takes the time to train him, however, will be rewarded when a strong bond forms between person and dog – a beautiful side effect of training that often occurs when the barrier of communication is bridged.

The Medium-Sized Anglo-French Hound is social and friendly towards everyone he meets, whether it be small child or older adult. Aggression towards people is not seen in the breed as long as the dog has been even moderately socialized. This said, they are often less friendly to small animals which means they are not the best match for those with smaller non-dog pets. With their owners, they are loyal and affectionate.

The Anglo-French does have a strong “bay” that he often uses freely. For those who have never heard the call of a scenthound, it can be alarming at first in terms of sheer volume! Those who are bothered by loud and frequent noise may have an issue with this inborn trait. The breed also has a tendency to wander, as as such requires an owner who can keep the dog from roaming the neighborhood. A fenced yard is a must! Despite his quirks, he can make a great companion when placed in the right home.

Photo by Jwh at Wikipedia Luxembourg

The Serbian Hound, originally known as the Balkan Scenthound, is an ancient hunting hound breed. Like many of the scenthounds to which he is related, this is a medium-sized breed with a smooth yet dense coat and hanging ears. The color is always tan with a black saddle. These hounds are energetic and athletic – traits that helped them to track and hunt game in Serbia and surrounding areas of Europe. When “on the trail”, a pack of Serbians use their high-pitched voices to excitedly announce their hunt as they eagerly run toward their prey. Imbued with great courage, stamina and dedication, they are ideal hunting hounds for wild boar, fox, deer and hare.

As traditional pack dogs, Serbians get along well with other dogs in the home. They also tend to do well with children as they are happy, friendly and social without being overly rambunctious (with enough exercise). They may even get along with cats in the home as long as they are raised with them from an early age! While they may be slightly aloof with strangers, Serbians are affectionate to all of those whom they know and will develop very strong bonds with their owners. They can be gentle and relaxed in the home while also being active and “ready for adventure” once they are taken outside. Despite their ideal temperaments, unfortunately the breed can be difficult to come by in most parts of the world outside of their home country. It is possible to obtain a puppy but one will almost definitely have to deal with long waiting lists and importing from overseas.

Serbian Hounds can be difficult to train which means they do best when owned by experienced dog owners. Their independent nature means they tend toward being quite stubborn, even though they are, in fact, intelligent. They must be given rules from an early age and those rules should remain in place despite any grumblings from the dog. When it comes to formal obedience training, the lessons should be made interesting and involve plenty of affection to keep the dog engaged. Patience is key when working with this breed!

When it comes to exercise, the Serbian definitely requires a lot! These hounds need at least 45 minutes a day, although one to two hours is ideal. This also means that apartment living is not an ideal situation for them as they need plenty of room to stretch their legs in addition to more structured exercise.Along with physical stimulation, they also need mental stimulation in the form of games and mind-enhancing tasks. Serbian Hounds can and will develop problematic behaviors if not given enough mental OR physical activity! This can include anything from “forgetting” their housebreaking skills, to chewing up your stuff, to digging craters in the yard. Best just to make sure they’re getting everything that they need!

All breeds have downsides and one of the Serbian Hound’s more frustrating traits is that he can be rather loud – a trait that most of the scenthound breeds share. Also like other scenthounds, his high prey drive means he is more likely to take chase if he catches the scent of a prey animal (or strange cat). Keeping him on leash and/or in a securely fenced area is an important consideration of ownership.

Serbians are very easy to groom and require little maintenance. They do shed a bit all throughout the year but it isn’t too extreme for the majority of owners. A weekly brushing with a bristle brush will keep this mostly in check. Health-wise, most tend to be fairly healthy and generally live between 13-14 years. The most common health condition in the breed is the occurrence of ear infections – a common blight for hanging eared breeds.

An ideal life for a Serbian Hound is one in which he is taken out hunting on a regular basis. Barring this, he can be equally happy when given a life filled with outdoor adventures in the company of his owner. He benefits greatly when given a job to do, so getting him into a dog sport such as agility, obedience, rally, nosework or (especially) hunting trials would be fantastic!

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The Halden Hound, also known as the Haldenstovare, is a Norwegian breed named after the town of Halden in which they were developed. This scenthound is a medium sized dog originally used for hunting hare. Haldens are affectionate, athletic, and make great companions as well as hunting dogs. These hardy hounds work best for owners who are able to provide them with plenty of exercise as they have lots of energy and endurance! They make good jogging and/or hiking companions for active owners, and definitely need at least two long walks a day. Without enough physical stimulation they can become bored and destructive.

The HH is best kept in homes (rather than apartments) in rural settings or with large yards. They need room to stretch their legs and opportunities for running/playing/hunting/exercising, all activities that can be harder to provide if one lives in an apartment or small city dwelling. When allowed to hunt they are focused, zealous and keen. Luckily, with enough exercise and mental fulfillment they tend to be calm and relaxed in the home.

Despite their smooth coats, the Halden does well in both cool and hot temperatures. They also tend to be pretty healthy and have an average lifespan of 11-12 years. Although most individual hounds have a robust constitution and generally healthy body, unfortunately the breed as a whole is in danger of extinction. The numbers are too small to keep this breed afloat for too much longer, and despite being recognized by the UKC in the United States they are rarely seen anywhere except for Norway.

The HH is playful with children and generally likes being around people of all ages, so much so that separation anxiety can be an issue. Supervision is required when around toddler-aged kids as they can react defensively to rough treatment. If you can’t watch your kid and make sure they play fair with the dog – wait until the child is older before bringing home a dog! Most Haldens also get along with other dogs, especially dogs of the opposite sex. Although they weren’t bred to hunt in packs like many of their related breeds, they are still social and well-tempered if socialized correctly. Smaller pets may be more of an issue because of their high prey drive. Another note about the prey drive – make sure to keep him on a leash when out on walks! If he sees a squirrel and has the means to go after it, he will.

Halden Hounds are not recommended for first-time dog owners because their independent, stubborn nature makes them difficult to train. They have strong work ethics when it comes to hunting… but are less inclined to get excited about formal obedience training. Furthermore they tend to take advantage of inexperienced owners/trainers, sometimes to the point of the question being asked – “who’s training who?” They require a firm and consistent hand (a bit of patience is helpful to have as well). Multiple short sessions throughout the day will go over much better than one long session. If not being used for hunting, they require a job that will allow them to use their brains and their bodies. Obedience training is a good start, but it is also recommend to get them into an additional sport as well such as nosework.

Haldens make good watchdogs as they are quick to alert to people at the door. This said, they are not a guard dog as they lack aggression in general and are too good-natured, if not even somewhat timid. In terms of barking, while some scenthounds are known for their… persistent voices, the Halden isn’t usually overly loud. He tend to bark only an average amount – more so if people or animals can be seen out the window or if he isn’t given enough mental or physical stimulation.

The Halden Hound’s smooth coat sheds an average amount but only requires a little bit of grooming. A good brushing once a week will help keep shedding down and promote a healthy, shiny coat. Baths can be given sparingly if desired, only really needing it when the hound gets dirty. Make sure to brush teeth on a regular basis, clip nails, and regularly inspect/clean the ears. Hanging ears are more prone to infections without proper care. Overall the breed is easy to care for and a delight to have around the house, as long as one is prepared to exercise regularly!

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The German Hound is a medium-sized scenthound. Always tricolored and possessing a thick yet smooth coat, he is considered an ancestor to all drop-eared hunting hounds. The breed is affectionate, sensitive to his owners’ emotions and fairly quiet when inside the house, yet enthusiastic and unwavering when hunting. He has a superb nose for tracking and a fiery hunting drive, but will come home at the end of the day and play with the children. Despite being recognized by the UKC in the United States, the breed isn’t well known outside Germany. This said, in his home country he does enjoy a modest popularity as both a hunting dog and pet.

Like many high energy hunting breeds, the German Hound needs to be given a lot of daily exercise in order to keep him out of trouble. He can become destructive and frustrating to live with if bored and under-exercised! He also requires plenty of social time with his owner (and other friends, if possible) as he is at his happiest when around others. While some scenthounds are totally fine living in outdoor kennels with just the company of other hounds, he far prefers life as a house dog. He doesn’t mind spending time with other dogs and is friendly and social with them, just as long as he also gets plenty of time with “his people” as well!

German Hounds are alert and will bark when people come to the door which makes them good watchdogs. They are fairly versatile when given a chance, and are far more than “just hunting dogs”. This said, they are still “hunting dogs” and as such are inclined to roam! Make sure that your fence is secure and kept locked, and keep them on leash when out for a walk. The Bracke might not be the best choice in homes with cats or other small pets as he may be inclined to hunt them. Nor is he an ideal candidate for people who live in small apartments or homes without yards. He really needs at least an hour a day to walk in addition to being able to stretch his legs in a securely fenced area.

When it comes to training, the German Hound needs an owner who can be firm yet fair. This is a smart breed that can be good at manipulating his owner – he needs an owner just as intelligent as he is! An owner must stay one step ahead of this independent hound without actually resorting to overly harsh tactics. He is gentle and submissive, and might shut down if he feels the training isn’t fair. Finally, take care to keep this dog on his toes while training (he can get bored easily) and make sure you don’t train in too distracting of an environment before he is ready. Scenthounds in general tend to shift away from training mode and into hunting mode when prey-animal-type distractions come into play. All of this said, he can be an obedient companion if given enough work and time!

German Hounds live about 11-12 years on average and are a relatively healthy breed. They stay the healthiest when kept on a strict exercise routine and given plenty of physical excursion with activities such as long walks, hikes and hunt outings. Some members of the breed have issues with hip dysplasia and/or bloat and the breed in general may be slightly more sensitive to anesthesia. This said, for the most part these hounds are healthier than many other breeds. Furthermore German Hounds are easy to care for in terms of grooming and require very little maintenance to keep them looking their best. Brushing once a week and the occasional bath is all that is needed for the coat. Check and clean the ears weekly as hanging ears are more likely to get dirt and gunk buildup. Add in time for training, social time and a lot of exercise – and you’ll have a happy German Hound!

Photo By Rumo

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is descended from the Grand Bleu de Gascogne – both are ancient breeds in their own right. Characterized by his “blue” coat, short legs and long back, he is a scenthound that almost went extinct in the early 19th century but was brought back by dedicated fanciers, particularly a man named Alain Bourbon. Today he is a rare breed, and although he is recognized by the UKC in the United States, he is most commonly seen in his home country of France.

Like his cousin the Basset Hound, the Basset Bleu is small in height but a medium sized dog in terms of weight. He also shares the same deep, melodious voice as well as the smooth yet dense coat. Although easy to groom, he does shed and can tend to smell – a byproduct of the oily coat possessed by certain hunting breeds. Like most pack hunting dogs, he gets along well with other dogs and can live easily in a multi-dog household. He doesn’t tend to be very territorial towards strange dogs and is generally a welcoming fellow.

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne is easygoing and affectionate to his owners, including children. This said, if he smells something enticing like a woodland creature in the backyard, he is apt to “forget” about his owner and wander off in search of prey. He loves to hunt above almost anything else – which also means he may not make the best companion for a cat or other small pet! This hunting animal does best in a home with a securely-fenced yard, and can get frustrated in a small living area such as an apartment. Not to mention his voice (which he uses freely and loudly) also doesn’t make him the best neighbor in an apartment setting.

The Basset Bleu is a playful fellow who has high social needs and does best in a home where he won’t be alone all day. Some people have found success by introducing a canine buddy (or more) in order to keep him company while they are gone, although those who work long hours probably aren’t the best match. This friendly hound loves being around people so much that he also makes a terrible watchdog and/or guard dog. While he will probably bark when someone comes near the house… he does this all the time anyway and is unlikely to raise suspicion (much like a car alarm). If someone were to break in, he may or may not really care, short of saying hi to the newcomer.

Although eager to please in some regards, the Basset Bleu de Gascogne can be challenging to train. To start with, his high prey drive and desire to sniff the ground at all times means that an owner or trainer will need to make themselves more interesting than the distractions! Second, he is stubborn and independent-minded which means that the owner must be prepared to set down rules and hold tight to them. Many of these hounds will work for food so be prepared to go into a training session with plenty of food rewards, but resist the urge to bribe. He actually needs to work for his rewards! Finally, start training early. It will be easier.

Although his appearance may suggest he is lazy, the Basset Bleu is actually an active breed with a decent amount of athletic ability. He needs an owner as active as he is – ideally someone who can take him hunting as he also needs mental stimulation. If hunting isn’t an option, other mental activities can be substituted as long as they are challenging. He makes a delightful walking companion as his outgoing nature earns him friends wherever he goes – with correct socialization it is rare for this breed to be overly shy or aggressive. Once home from a satisfying walk, he is likely to lay down and nap.

The Basset Bleu de Gascogne can be prone to gaining too much weight if overfed or under-exercised, so make sure to stay on top of food portions. He can also be somewhat prone to bloat, the risk of which can be minimized (although not eliminated) by various practices such as not allowing him to play hard right after eating. Overall, however, this is a healthy breed that tends to live 13-14 years.