You Ain't Nothing But A Hound Dog Quiz

Answer: Greyhound

Originally bred for hunting, the greyhound is regarded as the fastest dog breed, with a top speed of 45mph. While the cheetah - the fastest land animal - is faster, up to 70mph, a greyhound can maintain its top speed for longer.

Greyhounds in modern times are actively used in racing in many countries. This is a contentious sport, with probably as many detractors as supporters. Those opposed point to welfare issues. If a dog does not make the grade, it is discarded.

They do make good pets, however. Greyhounds are generally laid back and do not need as much exercise as some people imagine.

Answer: Saluki

The saluki is an ancient breed; first seen probably up to 6,000 years ago in an area of the Middle East that is now Iraq. They were bred to hunt small mammals and can maintain top speeds for longer distances than other 'fast' dogs like the greyhound of whippet.

In domestic situation, the saluki is good with children, but they do not like rough handling.

Answer: Whippet

They may look like a smaller greyhound, and indeed whippets are direct descendants of the ancient greyhound. Whippets were first bred in England - cue all types of cloth-capped Yorkshire jokes.

In the home they are laid back and make good pets, but be prepared to exercise them well. They also like to run off the lead in secure areas.

Answer: Bloodhound

The bloodhound was bred to hunt larger mammals, such as boar. They are noted for their keen sense of smell, with some sources claiming them to have the keenest sense of smell in the canine world.

As pets they are good with children and other animals. As well as that sense of smell, they are noted for a loud bark.

Answer: Redbone coonhound

The redbone coonhound first appeared in the southern parts of the USA. Noted for a deep red coat, they were bred from bloodhounds and foxhounds brought to North America from Scotland.

Redbone coonhounds make good pets, and are an active breed that excels at agility competitions.

Answer: Basset hound

Basset hounds were bred to hunt hares. They are noted for their friendliness and patience with children - and their long floppy ears. They do not like to be alone for too long, so some experts advise getting a companion.

Lt Colombo, TV fiction's most famous LA cop, kept a bloodhound.

Answer: English foxhound

The English foxhound was first bred to hunt...foxes. There is a stereotypical image of hounds hunting in packs accompanied by red-liveried horsemen. Horsemen is the accurate description since women who partake in hunting are not supposed to wear red jackets. It's a bit moot, anyhow since fox hunting was banned in Scotland in 2002 and in England and Wales in 2004.

Foxhounds have high levels of energy and are not suited to keeping in solitary or indoors conditions.

Answer: Cirneco dell'Etna

First bred in Italy, the cirneco dell'Etna remains primarily an Italian pet, with few examples elsewhere.

They need a moderate amount of exercise and are regarded as smart and very trainable.

Answer: Irish wolfhound

The male Irish wolfhound can measure about 36 inches to the shoulder and on hind legs can top seven feet. A very old Irish food hygiene law dictates that foods displayed outside a shop must be at least 30 inches off the ground, since that is the height to which a male wolfhound can cock a leg.

Wolfhounds can make good pets, but they do need exercise. Like all sighthounds, it is best to be wary of them seeing smaller animals since they like to chase things down.

Answer: Drever

The drever is a small dog that is noted for tracking and driving much bigger animals, including boar and deer.

Native to Sweden, they have a dense, weather-resistant double coat in a variety of colours, including red, black, and tan. They are friendly and attentive and and require minimal grooming.

Answer: Afghan hound

The Afghan is a tall dog, standing 27 inches to the shoulder. They were first bred in the mountains of Afghanistan, where their coats were an advantage in cold conditions.

Bred for hunting, the Afghan does make a good pet, but will be more willing to watch rather than engage in any rough-and-tumble activities.

Afghan hounds are noble and distinguished looking and well behaved examples have won top dog show titles.

Answer: Beagle

Snoopy first appeared in the cartoon strip of Charles M Schultz in 1950.

Beagles were first bred to hunt in packs, but they make good, happy pets. Just don't let them take control of a WWI Sopwith Camel.

Answer: Black mouth cur

Energetic and strong, the black mouth cur can run tirelessly over the rough terrain of the south eastern USA, where they were first developed.

This is a breed ideal as a working dog, and not so much as a home pet. They require a lot of exercise and, while they bond well with family humans, they can be wary of strangers. Some sources note they respond better to female handlers than male.

Answer: Chien Français Tricolore

If you want an unusual dog breed then the chien Français tricolore may be just right for you, since they are something of a rarity, even in their native France.

They were originally bred as a mixture of English and French hounds and were used to hunt boar and deer. They are a large dog with a keen sense of smell and typically a coat of tan, black and white. As pack dogs, they are not suited to being alone and do not make good pets.

Answer: Basenji

Basenji are small dogs that first appeared in Africa and are said to be barkless. They do make good pets, but require a lot of exercise.
Caring for a Basenji is simple: they do to need much in the way of grooming, just a quick brush, and they rarely need baths.
The American Kennel Cub notes that a basenji should never be allowed to run loose, as their instinct to hunt is strong, and the dog might not be able to resist the urge to run off on a chase.