American Foxhounds
Oldest American Dog Breed
Background and Description
The development of American Foxhounds in the United States is largely credited to George Washington. The breed is among the least
common breeds in this country and was developed
from a base of working hounds that were brought over from England, Ireland and France around 1860.
As the name implies, these dogs were developed to
hunt foxes. And, as it turns out, fox hounds are very efficient in doing this job. With their great speed and remarkable
endurance, they cooperate with each other in packs and use their strong scenting ability to follow the trail of the fox.
American Foxhounds are handsome looking dogs, with beautiful-shaped heads, clean tall lines, large eyes and very alert
expressions. As would be expected, similarities to the English Foxhound and Beagle can be seen in their appearance.
One interesting fact about them is that they hold a record, with only two other dog breeds, as giving birth to the largest
dog litter which one of them did in 1944. The record number was 23 pups! This dog breed was also depicted on a 20¢ stamp
in 1984.
Appearance:
Height: 21-25 inches
Weight: 65-75 lbs
Color variations: Any color including red, black and tan, and blue. The Tricolor combination is the one most often
seen and the most popular,
Coat and Care:
This breed has a short-haired coat that it very easy to groom with a weekly brushing and combing session. Shedding is
about average.
Personality and Traits:
Do you like singing? If you answered "yes", you may find the American Foxhound's tendency to bay, quite musical and even
enjoy it as many owners do!
As a family companion, this breed is very gentle, affectionate and has a very mellow
disposition. They have good instincts as a watchdog and if you're enjoy dog shows, they do well in agility.
The
need for a lot of exercise is the most important thing to consider if you are interested in the breed. Training them
to compete in active dog sports is a good outlet for their high energy.
Health:
The AF is generally a very healthy dog and while not prone to a lot of health issues, it is associated with a few. Those include ear problems
and some reports of hip problems. It has also been noted that there is a slight potential for a platelet disease known as thrombocytopathy.
One thing for owners to watch is their AF's food intake as they do have a tendency to gain weight easily.
Activity Level:
American Fox Hounds need exercise - LOTS of it! They love to run and need to be able to do this for
extended periods each day. If you are an active runner, this dog will be an ideal running partner
for you.
Additionally, they should also have a big yard in which to exercise. It would be unfair to
have this dog if an owner does not have the time to ensure plenty of vigorous exercise for them.
They are agreeable with
other dogs in household, but generally do not like cats.
Space Needs:
American Fox Hounds are not well suited to apartments due to their high activity level and vocalness. Homes with considerable outdoor
space will delight this dog, and/or owners who have the time and capacity to give them vigorous workouts.
With this
dog's strong inclination to hunt, property fencing should be very secure.
Children:
This breed is regarded to be a good pet around children, having a patient and low-key disposition. That being said,
the caution remains no matter what the breed, that activities involving children and pets should always be supervised
by an adult.
Elderly:
American Foxhounds are not the best choice for sedentary families or elderly people who do not have a way to provide
the level of activity they need.
Book Recommendation:
Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to
Natural Health
For Dogs And Cats
An Invaluable Resource For Pet Owners
Read It In Paperback Or
On Your
Kindle
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