Care guide
Caring for hounds
Hounds hunt by scent or by sight. Scent hounds follow their nose and are often vocal; sighthounds are fast, gentle and usually calm at home. Both need secure fencing and patient training.
Nose and eyes first
Scent hounds such as beagles, bassets and coonhounds can be single-minded on a trail. Keep them leashed or in a securely fenced area; recall can be unreliable.
Sighthounds such as greyhounds, whippets and salukis can reach high speeds chasing anything that moves. Only let them run off-leash in safe, fully enclosed spaces.
Exercise
Scent hounds need long walks where they can sniff. Sighthounds often need a daily chance to sprint, then are happy to rest for much of the day.
Sighthounds have little body fat and thin skin; give them a coat in cold weather and soft bedding.
Training
Hounds were bred to work on their own, so they can seem stubborn. Short, rewarding training sessions with tasty treats work best.
Many scent hounds bay or howl. Think about neighbours before choosing one for an apartment.
Health to ask about
Ask about the tests the breed club suggests: hips for many scent hounds, and heart, eyes and thyroid for many sighthounds. Sighthounds can be sensitive to some anesthetics; make sure your vet knows the breed.
Keep long-eared hounds' ears clean and dry.
Further reading
General information to help you prepare, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different: ask an experienced vet about yours. Reviewed by PerfectPal on October 13, 2026.