The Cretan Hound uses both sight and scent on the hunt and they have a particular tendency to taste the aerial or ground scent, even to the point of sucking it from pebbles and stones. When the prey is sensed, the tail moves in circular fashion and the hound becomes rigid, moments before the chase begins. Meek, affectionate, aristocratic, yet deadly on the chase, it's a polite hound that comes alive in the presence of prey; clean, gentle, elegant in form and movement, very intelligent, it's never vulgar or overwhelming in gestures.