These Hound Dog Breeds Make the Most Loyal Companions (2025)

Ree Drummond, a dog lover through and through, holds a special place in her heart for one particular breed of dog. Any guesses? Here's two hints: Fred and Rusty. "I've loved bassets all my life," she explains. "Their excess skin, floppy ears, droopy eyes and hilarious personalities keep me entertained and make my heart leap." And we're here to break down the ins and outs of Ree's beloved bassets and 29 other handsome hound dog breeds.

The origins of these furry friends date back 8,000 years. They were hunters and companions to people of various ancient civilizations. Perhaps the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Romans ring a bell? Since their creation, many iterations of the hound have been bred to assist in catching different types of prey: otterhounds for otters, elkhounds for elk, coonhounds for raccoons. Most of the names are pretty straightforward except for a few. (We're looking at you, basenji, borzoi, plott, and whippet.) These hounds are excellent hunters, ranking many among the smartest dog breeds and decent herding dogs to boot.

Today, these four-legged friends are used less for catching game and more for walks and dog cuddles—an equally dignified way to spend the day. Translation: They're some of the most loyal dogs that will stick by your side (something that Ree, no doubt, can attest to). If you're convinced that one of these breeds could be your perfect pet, here's a rundown of 30 handsome hounds!

If you can't get enough of dogs, try these:

• The Calmest Dog Breeds for Your Laid-Back Fam
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• Rare Dog Breeds You Might Not Know About

A curious little fellow, the beagle loves to wander and explore. These clever dogs require a lot of playtime to keep their minds’ occupied. The origins of the beagle are shrouded in mystery. Some say they're Gaelic, others claim French. Regardless, this loyal dog was bred for action. The beagle is known to be great at hunting small animals, specifically rabbits. So watch out Roger Rabbit, there's a beagle on the loose!

Known for their elegant beauty, Afghan hounds have a thick, shaggy coat to keep them warm in the mountainous regions of the middle east. These aloof creatures are around 27 inches tall and weigh between 60-75 pounds. They are wildly independent—bolstering their dignified appearance. Back in the day, these hounds were seen as a symbol of status, often belonging to royals and aristocrats. Their glorious coat needs regular brushing to keep it free of knots and matting.

These languid cuties come in both short and long hair, making them a perfect fit for warm or cool weather. Originally bred for badger hunting, the "weiner dog" needed to be short in height and long in body to rid badgers from their tunneled dens. The spunky dachshund may not be the best runner or swimmer, but they are great at making their owners laugh. Despite their small stature, they are great watchdogs.

Ree is no stranger to the basset hound. In fact, she has two of her own: Fred and Rusty. These charming dogs hark back to French beginnings. They derive their name from their stout stature. "Basset" means "low" in French. The basset's long, floppy ears and droopy face are easily recognizable—think Flash from The Dukes of Hazzard. While laid-back at home, these dogs are known to be strong-willed hunters on the trail. And who could resist those droopy eyes?

A true sleuth, the bloodhound has a nose like no other. It's the best of the best when it comes to scent hunting. It is so dependable, their trailing can be used as evidence in a court of law. Contrary to popular belief, the bloodhound's name came from aristocratic origins, not by tracking from blood. When off-duty, this dog is friendly and mild-mannered, but be sure to keep an eye on them, as their nose can often lead them into trouble!

1400's Ireland was rampant with wolves—so much so, the Irish wolfhound was created for the sole purpose of population control. To no surprise, these courageous hounds did a fantastic job. Wolves and other large animals nearly went extinct—but so did the Irish wolfhound. An effort was made in 1862 to bring the wiry-haired dog back from the brink. Despite their prey, these hounds are not aggressive. They are calm, alert, and beloved by the Irish.

Coined after their fox hunting abilities, these easy going dogs are a hallmark of early American gentry. Fox hunting was a popular pastime during colonial times, making these hounds high in demand. The American foxhound is great for families because it gets along with children and other animals. It's also a talkative breed, often singing loud, melodious tunes. Above all, they are best known for their strong work ethic and sly hunting skills.

The award for fastest runner goes to—the greyhound! Tapping out at 45 miles per hour, everything about this Olympic-level athlete helps boost its speed. From the greyhound’s aerodynamic head to its lightly muscled body, this dog is ready for a chase. Although shy at first, this gentle hound is easily won over by treats. Their graceful disposition is often compared to cats, but don't get it twisted—greyhounds are still tender and loving.

Borzois were a favorite among Romanov-era Russia. They were employed by the droves in wolf-hunting excursions. The dignified dogs almost went extinct, but thanks to their breadth of home, they were saved from the brink. Once known as the Russian Wolfhound, this dog was renamed borzoi because of the Russian word "borzyi," meaning "swift"—a strong characteristic of the agile hound. Their agreeable temperament means they aren't prone to roughhousing. They'd rather perch gracefully.

The history of these dogs goes way back. The first domesticated dogs are believed to have resembled the basenji. In fact, this poised breed was often depicted in Egyptian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian art. This hound requires a lot of exercise, but don’t worry, they pitch in on self-care. Basenji's tend to groom themselves like cats, keeping their short, shiny coat looking its best. Perhaps their most unique characteristic: They don't bark! That’s how they dubbed the name, the "barkless dog."

The beautiful Bavarian mountain hound has distinct features—a black/brown head and a tan body. The hound was bred specifically for its identifying nose. It can distinguish injured prey from healthy counterparts, making it great for post-shot hunting. It is very loyal and loves being around family; though, it may be shy when meeting strangers. The breed is actually quite rare and is owned mostly by hunters, foresters, and other outdoorsmen.

Named after their prey, these dogs have an innate sense for tracking week-old raccoon scents. Blueticks are American bred. They are most often seen in the south and are associated with the University of Tennessee. Their live mascot, Smokey, is a bluetick coonhound. These affection-loving sweethearts are easy to identify because of their spotted, blue/gray appearance. Make sure they get lots of exercise and stimulation, or they can become wily.

Take a trip to Africa with the Rhodesian ridgeback! These quiet creatures are strong-willed fighters who are able to fend off baboons, leopards, and more! They are also strong athletes—capable of keeping pace with trail horses all day. True to their name, these hounds have a ridge of forward-facing hair along the length of their back. Rhodesian ridgebacks are sturdy dogs, weighing between 70 to 85 pounds, fully-grown. A unique characteristic of this hound is that they rarely bark!

Much like their American counterpart, English foxhounds were bred to hunt, which means they have a strong work ethic and endurance. They look quite similar, too, though the English breed has longer and leaner legs. They require a lot of exercise and are best in homes with a lot of outdoor space, especially because they can be quite vocal. If they stay stimulated, they are very affectionate and playful with families.

There are two sizes of this French scenthound: petit (25-40 pounds) and grand (40-45 pounds). The first two words roughly translate to "low" and "shaggy" so you can expect short, strong legs and an amiable face thanks to a dintinctive furry beard and eyebrows. They are known to be sweet extroverts with lots of energy and stamina.

It's easy to see why this American breed gets its name. Their signature is "pumpkin seeds" of the tan coloring over their eyes, making them extra expressive. These coonhounds have very sensitive noses as hunters but a sweet nature as a pet, which is great because you'll want to pet their long, velvety ears all the time. Make sure you have a fenced-in yard for them, because they do like to take after small animals like squirrels.

The harrier was the first medium-sized pack hound bred in medieval England. These days they are often confused with Beagles, though they are larger and stronger. They are closely related to the English foxhound and have a similar temperament and speed. They're cheerful and very good with children, though may not be great around other animals besides dogs and humans.

An ancient coursing breed from the island of Sicily, a cirneco (or cirnechi if you have more than one) has a sleek coat and large, alert ears. They are lightening fast and energetic, but also very sweet. Though they have an independent streak, they are more trainable than other sighthounds and relatively low maintenance.

Say that name five times fast! This charming little pup typically weighs no more than 13 pounds when full grown and is known to be quite playful and fast. They can either have short coats or longer, wiry coats, but don't require a lot of grooming either way. Because they are pack minded, they do well in multiple pet families but they do have an independent streak that may make them a little difficult to train.

"The People's Choice" is this coonhound's nickname. Seriously! Descended from the American foxhound, these tricolored hounds were originally bred in the mid-1700s to hunt. But now, because of their friendly disposition and trainability, they make excellent family dogs. Their strong hindquarters require longer walks and more exercise, though they do like to curl up and nap with you, too.