i dont typically refer to them as hounds... kinda sounds like nails on a chalkboard to me, however i must admit i have referred to them as "mutts", but not in the duragatory literal sense of the word, more so as a shortcut term of endearment..... "time to feed the mutts!" hell, i think ive even said "pooches" once or twice..... but i do agree with it being a dipshit thing to do, these dogs do infact deserve more respect than that, & i try not to make a habit out of it......