The word hound is an example of a different tendency in words: to narrow or specialise their meaning over time.
Its original designation was any kind of canine, with relations to the German (hund) and Dutch (hond) both of which have retained their wider sense. It's a good example of what I have called the spirit of the language which seems to impel semantic shift.
In English it then narrowed to indicate a hunting dog such as a foxhound or a bloodhound whilst the word dog took over the modern broader role. Oddly this term appeared almost from nowhere since Old English dogca was rarely used and referred to a highly specialised breed. By the late Middle Ages dog had entirely replaced hound in the wider function.
Yet, if you feel hounded or that someone is dogging your footsteps, you will notice that the verbs have an unpleasant connotation. Not as disagreeable as the very modern fur baby, however. Let us hope that term never replaces dog - even pooch is preferable although both seem to indicate that the old, simple word is not enough for some owners.
Time to sit down, give your dog a bone and yourself a CUPPA,
