American Foxhounds are easily recognizable thanks to their distinctive face shape and markings, and they have been a popular breed for centuries.
Other Names: Foxhound
Country Of Origin: USA
Dog Group: Hound
Size: Medium
Recommended For: Families, couples, single owners
Maintenance Level: Low
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Temperament: Friendly, loyal, smart, playful
FAQ:
Good For the First-Time Owner? Yes
Good With Children? Yes
Good With Other Animals? Yes
Good With Strangers? Yes
Good For Apartments? No
Exercise Requirements? Daily walking
Can Live In Hot Weather? Yes
Can Live In Cold Weather? Yes
Can Tolerate Being Left Alone? Yes
Grooming? Low
Trainability? Moderate
Breed Overview:
The American Foxhound is very closely related to the English Foxhound but is slightly larger.
They were originally bred as hunting dogs but make excellent family pets. They benefit from having plenty of lands because they’re very energetic, but a large yard is enough, providing it is fenced in.
Color: Black and tan, tricolor, red
Coat Length: Short
Height: Male – 21-25”, female – 21-24.”
Weight: Male – 45-65lbs, females – 40-60lbs
Personality And Temperament:
American Foxhounds are very friendly dogs and thrive on human attention. They make great family pets because they’re good with children and very easy to train.
Owners should start obedience classes from a young age because the breed is naturally curious, and need something to focus their attention.
However, if the owner is confident enough, American Foxhounds can be taught a wide range of complex commands, and so does very well in agility competitions.
That said, the breed is very intelligent, and as a result, can sometimes be very stubborn.
Providing owners are willing to deal with this; they make great companion dogs. They also get on well with other dogs and other pets.
However, owners should be careful with small pets, such as rabbits or small reptiles, because the breed’s natural hunting instinct is still there.
The breed is of medium size but is taller and skinnier than its English cousin. It’s easily identifiable because of its distinctive markings, which are usually tan patches on the back and face.
They have a long muzzle and floppy ears and have a fantastic sense of smell. Their tails are very active, and they love to wag when they get excited.
Foxhounds have short, coarse fur that is easy to maintain and requires very little grooming.
They are suitable for both hot and cold climates, although you might need to buy them a coat if it gets too cold. They’re very slim dogs and so don’t have much fat or fur to keep them warm.
American Foxhounds are very easy going and are an excellent choice for pretty much anyone.
Their low maintenance level makes them ideal for first-time owners, and for experienced owners who want several dogs.
The breed needs plenty of exercises though, so owners have to be prepared for long daily walks.
When they were used as hunting dogs, Foxhounds would have to run for miles every day, and so enjoy plenty of exercises.
This means they don’t make great apartment pets, because of both their size and their energy level.
Ideally, owners should have a large yard that the dog has access to, along with daily walks. If you don’t have a large yard, Foxhounds would probably need multiple daily walks to keep them calm.
Because of their naturally curious and friendly temperament, Foxhounds are fine around other people and their dogs.
However, they should be socialized from an early age to make sure they know how to behave, particularly as they can become stubborn if not trained properly.
The breed isn’t suitable as a guard dog because of their temperament, although their size can make them seem quite intimidating.
Grooming:
American Foxhounds are quite easy to look after when it comes to grooming. Their fur is quite short, has a coarse texture, and lies close to their body.
They do shed, but no more than many other breeds. Unlike longhaired dogs, who usually only shed once or twice a year, Foxhounds shed all the time.
Owners should be prepared for plenty of dog hair around the house, although this can be minimized with some basic grooming.
You should brush your Foxhound about once a week using a stiff bristled brush.
If you do this outside, you should be able to reduce the amount of shedding that happens indoors. They don’t need to be bathed too often, and you’ll only really need to do this if they get muddy or roll in something smelly.
Owners should brush a Foxhound’s teeth once or twice a week, or more frequently if a vet recommends.
They’re not particularly prone to dental diseases, but brushing can also help to avoid bad breath and tartar buildup.
You should also trim their nails as and when needed, but if they get plenty of exercises, this won’t have to be done too often. Their nails will wear down naturally as they run around.
Common Diseases And Conditions:
Generally, American Foxhounds are a healthy breed.
There are no real genetic conditions associated with the breed, and they’re no more susceptible to common diseases, such as hip dysplasia.
Unlike other breeds that are prone to genetic conditions, American Foxhound breeders don’t have to get puppies screened for illness, but you should probably get this done if you’re looking to adopt.
One condition that is seen in American Foxhounds is thrombocytopathy, which is excessive bleeding from small injuries and is caused by platelet malfunction.
The best way to look for this is with a simple blood test, and any vet can do this. It’s best to catch the condition early as it’s easier to treat, but it’s currently incurable. If it goes unnoticed, treatment can be much more severe.
History:
Hunting dogs have been used for centuries, and the American Foxhound is directly descended from its English cousin.
The first notable hunting dogs were brought to America by Robert Brooke in the 17th century, and his family kept a notable bloodline of these Foxhounds for hundreds of years.
At some point along the journey, Brooke’s Foxhounds were bred with French hounds, which were very similar, but helped to create the American Foxhounds that we know today.
The breed was specifically used for hunting foxes, which was a favorite pastime of the gentry class. The dogs helped to track and chase prey, and often helped catch it too.
The breed has been popular, both as a working dog and a companion pet, for hundreds of years, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886.
By this point, the breed had also been crossbred with the Irish Foxhound, which gave the breed greater speed and stamina.
They’re also known to be very loud barkers, another one of their hunting traits, and so aren’t brilliant for urban living. They can often be heard for miles once they get going.
American Foxhound Facts & Figures:
Did You Know?
- George Washington, president of the USA, kept American Foxhounds during his life. Quite a few of them came from Brooke, who was a notable breeder at the time.
- It is the state dog of Virginia.
- They make ideal pets for those who are looking for a dog to run with them while they cycle, as the breed was designed to keep up with horses all day.
- The American Foxhound is a close relative of the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound.
- They have a very keen sense of smell and can stick to a scent if they’re interested enough. Their stubborn nature means it can be quite difficult to call them off.
- American Foxhound is almost identical to its cousin, English Foxhound with only slight differences in build and temperament.
- They make good choices for agility competitions because of their speed, intelligence, and ability to learn commands.
- American foxhound puppies price ranges from $400 to $600 USD.
You can find more United States Dog Breeds in the links below: