American Foxhounds are a beloved breed, known for their friendly and outgoing personalities. They are a medium-sized dog with a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming.
American Foxhounds are an old breed, with a history dating back to the 18th century. They were originally bred for hunting small game.
These dogs are relatively low-maintenance pets, but they do require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. A daily walk or run is essential for keeping them in top shape.
Their short coats mean they shed very little, making them a great choice for people with allergies or who prefer less dog hair in their homes.
Physical Characteristics
The American Foxhound is a beautiful breed with some distinctive physical traits. Their skulls are fairly long and slightly domed.
Their ears are low and long-reaching, and their large eyes are set far apart. This gives them a unique and endearing appearance.
The American Foxhound's coat is medium length, close to the skin, and hard. This helps protect them while running through rough terrain.
Their tail is set high and ends with a slight brush, but doesn't curl over the back. This is a characteristic that's easy to spot in pictures of the breed.
The breed's head is long, with floppy ears that are set moderately low. When drawn out, the ears nearly touch the tip of the nose, but not quite.
Their back is straight, long, and muscular, with straight forelegs that are perfect for running. This breed's hips and thighs are heavily muscled, leading into straight thin legs that demonstrate their great fleet ability and powerful propulsion.
Their coat is traditionally black and tan with white, or mostly white with black and tan. This tri-colored pattern is a classic look for the American Foxhound.
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Temperament and Behavior
American Foxhounds are very smart dogs and are known for their easy-going attitudes, which help them get along with just about everyone.
They are incredibly friendly and loving, but can also be quite independent, a trait beneficial for a hunting dog.
These dogs aren't demanding, but they do want your attention and prefer to be kept indoors with you.
They need tons of exercise, with several hours each day spent exercising them, or they quickly become destructive and depressed.
If they don't get enough physical activity, you'll start to see behaviors like bawling, digging, whining, chewing, and worse.
Early socialization and training can help them be friendly toward strangers and other animals and reduce their tendency to howl.
They are also very tolerant of strangers and are great with children and other medium to large dogs.
Temperament & Intelligence
American Foxhounds are very smart dogs, known for their intelligence and easy-going attitudes. They're friendly and loving, but can also be quite independent, which is beneficial for a hunting dog.
These dogs aren't demanding, but they do want your attention and prefer to be kept indoors with you. They need tons of exercise, with at least an hour or two of stimulating exercise each day to keep them happy.
Without enough physical activity, American Foxhounds can become destructive and depressed, exhibiting behaviors like bawling, digging, whining, and chewing. This is a sign that they're not getting enough exercise or attention.
American Foxhounds are loving and loyal dogs that will stick by your side, but they require a lot of work to get there. They're best suited for owners with previous dog experience who can understand their special needs.
These dogs are naturally inclined to hunting and chasing, so they need plenty of exercise to keep them occupied. In the absence of a day-long hunt, they'll find ways to occupy themselves, which can lead to destructive behavior if they don't get enough physical activity.
With proper training, your Foxhound can be very affectionate with people, but they can also be stubborn and prey-minded, especially once they pick up a scent. Early socialization and training are key to helping them be friendly toward strangers and other animals.
American Foxhounds are generally tolerant of strangers and great with children and other medium to large dogs, but they're not a great choice for novice dog owners, especially those living in urban areas. They require a lot of space and time for running to stay happy and healthy.
Hound
Hounds are known for their acute powers of scent, which they use to follow a trail.
Their ability to track scents makes them well-suited for hunting.
Some hounds have the gift of stamina, allowing them to run down a quarry.
This diversity in traits makes generalizations about hounds difficult to make.
The group is comprised of a very diverse lot of breeds, each with their own unique characteristics.
This diversity is likely a result of their varied uses and purposes.
Additional reading: What Makes an American Bully
Care and Maintenance
American Foxhounds have short coats that require minimal grooming. Their coats only need to be brushed once a week for a few minutes to remove dead hairs.
Cleaning their ears is crucial to prevent infections, so make sure to wipe them out with a slightly moist rag once a week and dry them fully.
For more insights, see: American Bully Coats
Grooming
Their coats are easy to care for, thanks to their short, protective coats. They only need minimal attention, and a weekly brushing for a few minutes will remove dead hairs.
You'll want to keep their ears clean and dry, as moisture can lead to infections. Simply wipe their ears with a slightly moist rag once a week, making sure to dry them fully afterwards.
Bathing isn't usually necessary, unless they've gotten into something sticky or stinky. You can skip regular baths, but make sure to keep their ears clean.
Regular dental care is important for their overall health. This includes at-home teeth brushing and professional dental cleanings.
You can use a bristle brush or grooming mitt for weekly grooming sessions to handle stray hairs and keep shedding at bay.
Care
When it comes to grooming, American Foxhounds are a breeze to care for. Their short, protective coats require very little attention, and a weekly brushing for just a few minutes will keep them looking their best.
You should brush their coats once a week to remove dead hairs. Their ears, on the other hand, need regular cleaning to prevent infections. This is especially important since their long ears can trap moisture, leading to infections if not dried properly.
Keep an eye on your Foxhound's food intake, as they love to eat and can easily become overweight. Your veterinarian is a great resource for guidance on feeding and nutrition. Monitor the amount of food and treats you give your Foxhound to ensure they stay healthy and happy.
Exercise
To keep your American Foxhound happy and healthy, you'll need to provide at least two hours of daily activity. This breed loves being with its people, so long walks or hikes are a great way to meet this exercise quota.
In areas that aren't fenced, it's essential to keep your Foxhound on a leash, as they can become fixated on a scent and be difficult to retrieve.
Health and Training
Foxhounds are smart enough to be trained for hunting, so you can definitely get them to learn commands and more. They do well with obedience training, but they have a stubborn, independent side that can sometimes be difficult to manage.
You'll need a firm, confident hand when training these dogs, so it's best if you've got some previous experience. Training will be easiest if your Foxhound can get most of their energy out ahead of time.
Health
Exercise is a great way to boost your mood and energy levels, and it's also essential for maintaining a healthy weight.
Regular physical activity can help reduce your risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.
The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.
A well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein sources can help support your overall health and fitness goals.
Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day to stay hydrated and help your body function properly.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for physical recovery and muscle growth, with most adults needing 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Training
Training a Foxhound requires a firm and confident hand, especially if you have previous experience with dog training.
Foxhounds are smart enough to learn commands and more, but they can be stubborn and independent, making training a bit challenging.
It's essential to get your Foxhound's energy out ahead of time, so they can concentrate better during training sessions. You'd be best off attempting training shortly after exercising your Foxhound.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the American Foxhound a rare breed?
Yes, the American Foxhound is a rare breed, ranking 196 out of 201 recognized breeds by the AKC. This rarity makes it challenging to find one in shelters or rescue groups.
What are the four types of Foxhounds?
The four recognized breeds of foxhounds are American, Penn-Marydel, English, and crossbred foxhounds. These breeds are officially recognized by the American Masters of Foxhounds Association.
Sources
- American Foxhound Pictures, Images and Stock Photos (istockphoto.com)
- American Foxhound Dog Breed Information (akc.org)
- American Foxhound Dog Breed Info: Pictures, Traits & Facts (hepper.com)
- https://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/breeds/american-foxhound/ (westminsterkennelclub.org)
- American Foxhound | Dog Breed Facts and Information (wagwalking.com)
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