Dog Breeds: American Foxhound

The American Foxhound closely resembles its cousin, the English Foxhound, because the American version is a direct descendent of the dogs brought over in the 1600s. The English hounds were later bred to French hounds, so the American Foxhound is actually an almost-perfect blend of the two. The American hound was often used to track both people and animals and quickly became favored among hunters for its efficiency and unfailing energy.

Standing no more than 25 inches tall and weighing in at no more than 75 pounds, the American Foxhound is both lighter and taller than its English counterpart. It also has a better nose and is significantly faster in the hunt. The skull is large and domed, the ears broad, and the eyes large and wide-set. This gives the hound a sweet and handsome face. Eyes should be either brown or hazel. Other colors are not accepted.

The legs should be straight and long, giving the dog an elegant appearance. The tail is thick and has a slight upward curve. It is not, however, carried over the back. A tail that does curl over the back is cause for disqualification in the show ring. Things are a little more forgiving when it comes to the coat, which may be of any color as long as it is both short and hard. The short coat needs little grooming beyond a firm bristle brush applied once a week. With appropriate care, this breed is an average shedder.

You won't find may breed sweeter and more affectionate than the American Foxhound, but they're also fiercely loyal and brave. They're very intense and nearly impossible to distract once they catch an interesting scent. This means they are prone to taking off, but they also tend to come back...eventually.

This breed is excellent with children and gets along well with other dogs, but care should be taken when exposing this breed to non-canine pets. The American Foxhound is a natural hunter, and even show lines may decide to hunt the guinea pig or think the hamster is excellent as prey. Cats fare a little better, but only because they're fast and can hide on top of the bookshelf.

Because of its hardy nature, the American Foxhound is relatively free of genetic disorders. They do, however, gain weight easily, especially when they're not rigorously exercised. Take care not to overfeed this energetic breed or they may suffer from unhealthy weight gain.

The American Foxhound is a dog that needs plenty of exercise and space, so they are not generally suited for apartments. They are incredibly active whether inside or out, and when left alone indoors they do tend to become destructive. Acreage is best for these active hounds, though they can do well enough in the city if they have a yard and someone who will take them on long walks. Plan on very long walks because this breed simply does not tire out easily. They can be loud as they like to bay, so take care that they don't annoy the neighbors.

As a hunter, the American Foxhound is very quick and has an excellent nose for tracking prey. His stamina is unmatched and his bay is almost musical in nature. Because of these traits, the American Foxhound is still primarily used as a hunting dog that appears frequently in field trials. That doesn't mean, however, that this dog can't be used for other things. They make excellent trackers and great companions for families who understand their high-energy needs.