Hunters or House Dogs? The lowdown on the Nose-To-The-Ground Hound

Lisa Crosby

With 32 types of dogs classified in the "hound" category, according to the American Kennel Club, these dogs range from the diminutive miniature dachshund to the colossal coonhound, blood hound and Irish wolf hound. Of course, there are all sizes in between.

When adopters ask me to recommend a canine that would be great with cats, dogs and children, I recommend a hound.

Animal shelters face an abundance of hounds in the South. When a hunting dog doesn't track rabbits it is often left behind in the woods to fend for itself. These dogs—especially beagles it seems—end up at county shelters.

If you need a happy-go-lucky canine pal, may I recommend a hound?