breed of hound dog known for its distinctive wail while scenting for raccoons, wild boar, mountain lion, and bear; each individual has its own distinctive buglelike bark, so a person can tell which dog is hunting in a certain spot at what time; black-and-tan coat is very short, dense, and glossy; long ears hang in graceful, small folds down side of head from a low point on the skull (ears must be kept meticulously clean because bacterial infections are easily fostered in the many folds); tail is whiplike; eyes are round and hazel to dark brown in color; adult stands 23–27 in. (58–69 cm) tall at shoulders and weighs 70–85 lbs (32–39 kg); calm, affectionate, and patient with children; determined but not very fast hunter; probably descended from 12th-century Talbot hounds; favored by Indian scouts and fighters in America in 1700s,