American FoxhoundCharacteristics, history, training and care

The American Foxhound’s ancestry includes English hounds brought to colonial North America in the 17th century. Later breeding helped shape the American breed.

Evolution of the breed

• Colonial hounds - In 1650, Robert Brooke brought a pack of English hounds to Maryland; these and other imported hounds were used to hunt foxes.
• Mixing bloodlines - Later, English, French and Irish hounds were crossed to produce a lighter, faster hound with a good nose, suited to American terrain.
• George Washington's hounds - The first US president bred foxhounds at Mount Vernon and received French hounds as a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette.
• The American Foxhound is a recognised American scent-hound breed; this does not make it an official dog of the whole United States.

The American Foxhound is an energetic, sociable hunting dog that needs a lot of activity and company. These are general editorial ratings, not measured scores; individual dogs vary.

The American Foxhound is a medium-large, athletic hound with a light but muscular build, made for speed and stamina.

General appearance

• A lean body with long, muscular legs, built for running.
• A short, hard coat that protects it from weather and undergrowth.
• Long, wide, hanging ears, typical of scent hounds.
• A fairly long head with a straight, square muzzle.
• Large brown or hazel eyes with a gentle, pleading expression.

The American Foxhound is an elegant, agile dog with a body built for long hunts.

The American Foxhound is clever but independent, which can make training hard for inexperienced owners. As a pack hound, it has a strong urge to follow scents and usually enjoys the company of other dogs.

Tips for effective training

• Start early - Training should start at about 8 weeks to manage its independent nature.
• Positive techniques - It responds well to rewards and praise, but badly to harsh corrections.
• Recall training - Because of its hunting instinct, it is essential to practise "come" and "stay" to prevent it from running off.
• Wide socialisation - It should meet many places, people and animals to prevent shyness.
• Keep it on a lead - If it picks up an interesting scent, it may run off and ignore commands, so it should be kept on a lead or in secure areas.

With patient, consistent training, the American Foxhound becomes a well-mannered, sociable dog, but it needs an experienced, active owner.

The American Foxhound is a very energetic breed that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviour.

Recommendations for a balanced lifestyle

• Not ideal for apartments - It needs a large, securely fenced garden or open space to run.
• Great stamina - It can run long distances, which suits very active people.
• Does not like being alone - If left alone too long, it may howl or become destructive; it is happiest with people or other dogs.
• Dog sports - It does well in tracking, canicross and other activities that use its nose.

Without enough activity, the American Foxhound can become destructive and hard to manage, so it suits only very active people.

The American Foxhound is easy to groom and generally healthy, but some problems should be monitored.

Fur and skin care

• Weekly brushing - The short coat needs regular brushing to remove dead hair.
• Occasional baths - It needs washing only when necessary.
• Ear and claw checks - The long ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent infections, and claws trimmed.

Common health problems

Other aspects of care

• Weight control - A balanced diet and regular activity help prevent obesity.
• Regular checks at the vet – annual checks are recommended, to detect any health problems in time.

The American Foxhound is generally healthy and hardy, but its joints and weight should be monitored.

The American Foxhound needs a balanced diet with enough protein and energy for its high activity.

Recommendations for a healthy diet

Choose a complete, balanced diet suited to age, size and health. Plan home-prepared diets and supplements with a qualified veterinarian; raw pet food can carry harmful bacteria.

Forbidden foods

Chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions and xylitol - toxic to dogs. / Cooked bones - can splinter and cause intestinal blockage. / Fatty foods - can cause digestive problems and weight gain. / Overfeeding - this breed tends to eat more than it needs, which can lead to rapid weight gain.

The American Foxhound should be fed properly and kept active to avoid digestive and weight problems.

Breeding requires veterinary planning, suitable health screening and care for the mother and puppies. Pregnancy and birth can involve complications.

Physical and emotional maturity

• Physical maturity: It reaches adult size at about 12-18 months, but continues to fill out until about 2 years.
• Emotional maturity: It usually settles at about 2-3 years and stays more independent than many companion breeds.

Mating and Gestation

• Breeding decisions require veterinary assessment of maturity, health and suitable screening; reaching a fixed age does not establish that breeding is appropriate.
• Duration of gestation: Approximately 58-68 days, usually about 63 days.
• Average number of puppies: Usually about 5-8 puppies.

Puppy care

• The first 3 weeks: Puppies depend completely on their mother for warmth, milk and protection.
• Between 4-8 weeks: They begin to play and explore, and early socialisation is essential for a balanced character.
• Moving to a new home: When puppies go to their new homes, they should start basic training and learn house rules.

Early socialisation and training are essential for shaping the American Foxhound's personality and behaviour.

• A state dog - The American Foxhound is the official state dog of Virginia.
• George Washington's hounds - The first US president was a keen fox hunter and bred foxhounds at Mount Vernon.
• An early AKC breed - The American Foxhound was one of the first breeds recognised by the AKC, in 1886.
• A canine marathon runner - It can run long distances and follow a trail for hours.
• A musical voice - It has a loud, ringing bay that lets hunters follow the chase from far away.
• Lighter than its English cousin - It is taller, lighter and longer-legged than the English Foxhound.
• Rare as a pet - Although many foxhounds live in hunting packs, very few are registered as pets, so it is one of the rarer AKC breeds.

The American Foxhound is not widely known as a pet, but it is an important part of American hunting history.

American Foxhound in modern media and culture

• Washington's diaries - George Washington's diaries describe his fox hunts and the hounds he bred at Mount Vernon.
• Field trials - Foxhounds take part in field trials and hound shows that test their hunting ability.
• Rare outside the USA - The American Foxhound is seldom seen in other countries.

Importance in modern culture

• A family dog for active people - Although bred for hunting, it can be a gentle companion for families who can give it enough exercise.
• A symbol of Virginia - Its status as Virginia's state dog reflects its long history in the American South.