There’s more to being a hound dog than crying all the time – or, if you prefer Big Mama Thornton’s original version, wagging your tail about. In this issue of “Hunting 101” series, we’ll cover scent hounds, whose job is to follow the trail of four-footed game animals across hill and dale, navigating mostly by their olfactory senses, until the quarry is put to bay or otherwise meets the human hunter.
Scent hounds have been a crucial part of hunting traditions for centuries. From the green fields of England to wild jungles of the Amazon, humans used hounds to harvest game as diverse as hares and leopards. And to match the dogs to the prey and its favorite environment, they created countless breeds. Here are some of the best known ones.
The United States
As European colonists arrived in America, they quickly realized that the dogs they brought along from their old countries were not always adequate to the challenges presented by the fauna of the New World. Some dogs needed to be cunning to outsmart raccoons, others – strong and fearless to face black bear and mountain lion. And American hunters answered to the challenge, creating several excellent breeds.
Black and Tan Coonhound
Developed in the Southern United States, the Black and Tan Coonhound combines the attributes of Bloodhounds and Foxhounds. They were originally bred to hunt raccoons, which the hounds track through forests and swamps, and trail to trees, where they then alert hunters with their distinctive baying. Recognizable by their black and tan coloring, long ears, and powerful frame, these dogs are known for their perseverance and ability to track scents over long distances and difficult terrains.
Bluetick Coonhound
Bluetick Coonhounds are known for their distinctive blue mottled coat and are believed to be descended from French Grand Bleu de Gascogne hounds. They are medium to large dogs with a muscular build, exceptional scenting ability, and a calm yet determined demeanor. These dogs are particularly skilled at tracking raccoons, known for their ability to follow cold trails that other dogs might miss, but are also used to hunt black bears, and, in some regions, also employed in hunting wild boar, leveraging their tenacity and strength.
Treeing Walker Coonhound
Developed in the United States from Walker Foxhounds and other coonhound breeds, the Treeing Walker Coonhound is celebrated for its speed, tracking ability, and treeing instinct. They are medium-sized dogs with a tri-colored coat and a friendly disposition. Treeing Walker Coonhounds are used not only for raccoons, but also for mountain lion hunting, where their speed helps them can quickly cover large areas to keep up with the fast and elusive puma. Their strong treeing instinct is vital for mountain lion hunting, as they will pursue the cat until it climbs a tree, allowing the hunter to approach. Treeing Walkers have a loud, distinctive baying that helps hunters locate them from a distance.
Plott Hound
The Plott Hound, the state dog of North Carolina, was developed by German immigrants in the 18th century. Unlike many American hounds, it descends from German hunting dogs rather than English foxhounds. Plott Hounds are known for their brindle coats, muscular build, and tenacious spirit. They are renowned for their stamina and can follow a mountain lion’s trail over long distances and rugged terrain. These hounds are fearless, a necessary trait when confronting a powerful and potentially dangerous animal like a mountain lion.
Image Credit: Anvil Mountain Guiding
Europe
Europe has a rich history of hunting, with a diverse range of scent hound breeds developed to meet the specific needs of various terrains and game. Hunting with hounds in Europe is not merely a sport but a cultural event steeped in tradition. It often involves rituals, specific dress codes, and a sense of camaraderie among participants. Let’s talk about some of the best known European breeds, with a focus on the hunting tradition they have been bred in.
Foxhound
Developed in England, the English Foxhound is a large, powerful hound bred specifically for fox hunting. They are known for their stamina, speed, and sociable nature, making them ideal for pack hunting. Fox-hunting is a unique tradition, which has very little to do with fox control, and a lot with community bond. The quest is to be the first at the moment when the dogs catch the fox, and it requires advanced riding skills, a built-in navigation system, and an ability to make life-changing decisions (e.g. whether to jump the fence or not) at full gallop. Banned now in its original form, fox-hunting still strives, as the hounds and hunters follow an artificial scent trail laid by organizers.
Beagle
The Beagle, another breed with origins in England, is a small to medium-sized hound known for its distinct baying voice, keen sense of smell, and friendly disposition. Beagles are characterized by their compact build and tricolored or bicolored coats. Beagles excel in hunting small game like rabbits and hares. Their size allows them to navigate dense underbrush where these animals often hide. Traditionally, Beagles hunt in packs, with hunters following them on foot.
Learn more about Montería from our blog
Sabueso Español (Spanish Hound)
The Sabueso Español is a traditional Spanish scent hound with a long history. It is known for its excellent nose, stamina, and persistence. Sabueso Españoles are primarily used for their tracking ability, following the scent trails of wild boar and deer over long distances. They are mostly used in the traditional Spanish Montería hunts. A Montería typically involves a large hunting party, including hunters, guides, and a substantial number of dogs. The hunt takes place on large estates or hunting preserves, often in mountainous or densely wooded areas. Hunters are positioned on specific spots, or Posturas, strategically placed along the expected paths of the game. Packs of hounds, or Rehalas, are used to drive the game towards the hunters. Each rehala consists of a variety of hounds, typically 10-20 dogs, managed by a “Rehalero” (hound handler).
Grand Bleu de Gascogne
This ancient breed from the Gascony region of France is known for its distinctive blue mottled coat, large size, and deep, resonant voice. The Grand Bleu de Gascogne is a powerful and determined tracker, often used for stag hunting. The “vénerie,” as it is known, is a highly ceremonial activity, usually with hunters on horseback following large packs of hounds. The chase often culminates in the stags being driven to a body of water or a strategic point where hunters can make the final approach; it is usually considered bad style to use guns during the vénerie, a true hunter delivers the final blow with an edged weapon.
All Over the World
Hunting with scent hounds is a global tradition with deep cultural roots and practical significance, often a part of tribal customs and rituals. Each region and community has developed breeds and practices suited to their specific landscapes and game. From the versatile Rhodesian Ridgeback in Africa to the hardy Bakarwal Dog in Asia, these hounds play a crucial role in hunting traditions worldwide. Here are some of the hound breeds and hunting traditions across the globe.
Learn more about hunting in Morocco and other African countries north of the equator.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Developed in Southern Africa, particularly modern Zimbabwe and South Africa, the ridgebacks are known for their distinctive ridge of hair along their backs. Originally bred to hunt lions, these dogs are versatile hunters with a strong prey drive and endurance, that can track and chase both large game such as antelope and smaller game like hares.
Bakarwal Dog
Indigenous to the Himalayas, particularly Jammu and Kashmir, these dogs are robust, hardy, and possess a keen sense of smell. Used traditionally for hunting large game like bears and leopards, these dogs are excellent for tracking in mountainous terrains.
New Zealand Pig Dog
This is a mixed breed specifically developed in New Zealand for hunting feral pigs, who present a significant environmental problem in the country. These dogs are strong, agile, have an excellent sense of smell, and are well adapted to the rugged New Zealand’s wilderness.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
This is an ancient breed from Peru that, as the name suggests, predates European colonization. Agile, intelligent, and with a good sense of smell, these dogs can double as sight and scent hounds, and are used historically for hunting small game in the Peruvian landscape.
Questions about hunting puma with hounds? Our blog has answers!
When not to hunt with a pack of hounds
Hunting with scent hounds is not for every time, place, and quarry. Wide open spaces and animals that rely on eyes and speed to escape predators don’t usually work well for this hunt. So are birds that fly away, smaller mammals that dive into burrows and holes, and most species of mountain game.
Apart from quarry, location, and legal bans, the most definitive “no” factor is land use. Neither hounds nor game animals can read “No trespassing!” posts, so a major prerequisite is a large tract of land you have unlimited access to; in places with small patches of land belonging to different owners hunting with hounds can be problematic.
Another “contra” is disturbance. A pack in full cry can wreak havoc all over the wood, scaring the animals away. In the wrong time of the year that could lead to abandoned fawns and nests, and increased predation. Related to the problem is the fact that hounds can ‘switch trails’ and give chase to an animal that is not in season or is protected. If that animal dies as the result of the chase, you may be held responsible, as for an intentional kill.
Image Credit: EC Hunting LLC
One more thing to consider is risk to the dogs. When things go right, hounds can take animals as big as mountain lions and leopards (yes, leopards. Click on the link to learn more), but things don’t always go right. Hounds ‘love’ to get lost, and even GPS sensors don’t always help to retrieve them. In the heat of the chase, dogs forget about anything, and can be easily run over by vehicles, so the areas with a lot of roads and traffic on them aren’t suitable. Wolves also present an element of risk, especially for small packs and individual dogs.
In Conclusion
Scent hounds have a unique place in the hunting culture. Their keen noses, endurance, and ability to work collaboratively with hunters make them indispensable partners in the field. Each breed has its specialty, honed through years of selective breeding to enhance their natural hunting instincts.
Volumes can be written about hunting with scent hounds, following the dogs or placing yourself strategically in front of the chase, as well as selecting the breed and building a pack. Some of the topics have already been covered in this blog, about others we’ll write in the future. But the best teacher is practice. Book your hunt and explore the world of hunting with scent hounds on BookYourHunt.com!
Main Image Credit: Panther Trackers.
Hunting 101: Understanding shotgun ballistics
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