When humans moved north into the forests of Europe they developed the scent hounds, which include bloodhounds, foxhounds, beagles and dachshunds. These dogs were bred to hunt in forested areas where a sight hound’s speed and keen eyesight are no help in the hunt.
Many of the dogs in this group were bred to hunt in packs, and tend to be an independent lot – they don’t mind a human’s presence, and are usually fairly calm and contented, (although they can get a little loud), but they may not be as slavishly devoted as some of the other types of dogs.
If you’re looking for a “Velcro dog” this may not be a good choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy the company of a dog but don’t want to be its sole reason for living, a beagle or basset could be a perfect dog for you.