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.
The American Eskimo Dog is quite common in North America, but it's not always called the American Eskimo Dog. It is often referred to as the Eskie or even the Spitz. This dog looks very much like a smaller version of the Samoyed, but it actually has more in common with the German Spitz. Despite the name, the American Eskimo Dog has nothing at all to do with Eskimos. Nothing at all.
This energetic breed was likely brought over to North America by the first German settlers. These settlers used the Spitz-type dogs for all sorts of things on the farm. They were excellent herders, perfect guard dogs, and could even help find a lost child if the need arose. Because of these varied talents, the dog thrived even while other breeds encountered trouble. Centuries later, sometime in early 1913, the dogs were registered with the United Kennel Club (UKC) by Mr. and Mrs. Hall. The kennel run by the Halls was called "American Eskimo". Because the little white dogs had a very Nordic look, the name was eventually applied to the breed itself.
The National American Eskimo Dog Association was formed in late 1969 and the studbooks were closed for new additions. This controlled the breed profile, assuring that all dogs admitted to the breed were of a certain standard. In 1985 the American Eskimo Dog Club of America was formed for the express purpose of gaining AKC recognition for the cute little dog, but this recognition didn't actually occur until mid-1995 when the American Kennel Club (AKC) decided to admit the breed for championship purposes.
This bouncy breed comes in three different sizes, ranging from toys (which stand no more than 9 to 12 inches tall) to standard (which may be up to 19 inches tall). Dogs outside this range cannot be shown. This means there is an American Eskimo Dog for everyone. Everything about this dog conveys energy. The head is wedge-shaped and constantly moving. The ears are perky and forward-facing. The tail is typically plumed and carried curled over the back while the legs are sturdy and powerful, giving the impression of a dog that never stops. As they are quite high energy, this describes them perfectly.
The coat is always a brilliant white, though you may sometimes encounter an American Eskimo Dog with biscuit colored markings. The skin is always pink or grey while the eyelids, nose, lips, gums, and pads should all be black. Other colors are undesirable. The coat itself should never curl or wave. Instead it is incredibly fluffy due to the thick undercoat; this coat needs to be brushed once a week to keep the dog comfortable. Eyes can be of almost any color except blue. Blue-eyed dogs are disqualified in the show ring.
The American Eskimo Dog is a dog that loves family life. They are excellent with children because they are loving and sturdy, meaning the can tolerate some of the rougher play children are known for. They are highly intelligent and incredibly protective, making them excellent watchdogs. They don't really like strangers, so take care when introducing new people. This dog needs plenty of exercise, so they aren't always suited to apartment life. An under exercised American Eskimo Dog can being hyper and will often spin in circles constantly. This is not a good sign, so exercise your dog.
Like many carefully-bred dogs, the American Eskimo Dog does have its own set of health problems. Hip dysplasia is common, so have a vet check out a new puppy carefully. This breed is also prone to progressive retinal atrophy. This is a fancy way of saying many dogs have eye problems. Check the eyes and tear ducts carefully. If a dog seems overly teary, that dog may have eye trouble. For some reason, many American Eskimo Dogs are allergic to fleas and they all gain weight just a little too easily. Keep your home free of fleas and exercise your dog and these problems shouldn't surface.
The other problem this dog encounters is heat. They don't like to get hot. So make sure your dog has somewhere cool to retreat to in the warm summer months. Plenty of water and sometimes even a large ice block will be needed to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Though the larger dogs have sometimes been used for sledding, the American Eskimo Dog is really more of a companion dog today. They'll sometimes be used for narcotics detection, and they can be seen competing in agility and obedience trials, but most are simply house pets. If you lead an active lifestyle and need someone to join you, and you don't mind a dog that sheds quite a bit, the American Eskimo Dog might be for you.
A little known breed, the American Crested Sand Terrier isn't actually American at all. In fact, it has its origins in Africa, which is why it is also known as the African Hairless Dog and the Abyssinian Sand Terrier. The 'sand' in the name refers both to the color of the fur and the aspect of the skin. The American Crested Sand Terrier was originally bred as a companion dog for African tribesmen. It also protected and even herded in some cases.
The history of this rare breed is a little spotty and incurs some debate. Some claim that the true Sand Terrier went extinct in the 19th century and that current dogs are an attempt to recreate the breed. Others are sure the modern Sand Terriers are true to the original breed and are simply descended from lines that were never actually extinct.
Because this dog has very little hair, they are good for people with mild dog allergies. They are also odorless and tend to be cleaner than your average dog. The American Crested Sand Terrier doesn't look at all like a terrier. Instead, it almost resembles the German Shepard, but with the face of a Pit Bull. The Sand Terrier is a smaller breed, typically standing no more than 21 inches tall and weighing no more than 40 pounds.
The Sand Terrier is almost completely hairless except for the head which has a tuft of upright hair, giving this breed a humorous appearance. The lack of hair means little grooming, but this dog should be bathed at least once a week to keep the skin from becoming too dry. Colors for this breed are many and varied. You will find black, bronze, chocolate, gray, mottled, and the classic sandy color. Some dogs will have white spots, others may have black, some will be completely solid.
The eyes should be medium-sized and almond-shaped while the ears resemble the ears of a bat. The nose is usually black, but pink is also acceptable. The skin is quite sensitive and dries out easily, so frequent bathing and even moisturizing is highly recommended to keep the skin hydrated. Because they have no hair, the American Crested Sand Terrier is prone to sunburns. A sunscreen designed for infants is generally sufficient to combat this problem.
The Sand Terrier is an active breed, one that needs a lot of exercise. If you are an avid biker or you love to rollerblade, the Sand Terrier will happily run alongside. With enough exercise, they can adapt to apartment life, but they are more suited to a large yard or even a farm.
This dog is extremely rare, making it difficult to find a breeder. You are more likely to find its cousin, the Chinese Crested, when searching for a dog with little hair. If you're hoping to find an American Crested Sand Terrier, you'll have to do your homework and be patient.
The American Cocker Spaniel has its roots in another popular breed, the English Cocker Spaniel. English Cocker Spaniels were brought over from, not surprisingly, England. Once in the United States (or what would become the United States) they were bred down in size and given the name American Cocker Spaniel. These dogs, called simply the Cocker Spaniel by the American Kennel Club (AKC), are more popular in North America than their English counterparts. The American version has a shorter muzzle and slightly larger body despite being smaller in size.
This is a sturdy breed, on that can handle the rigors of hunting. Standing no more than 15.5 inches high and weighing no more than 30 pounds, the American Cocker Spaniel is a medium-sized dog. The head is rounded, the muzzle broad, and the jaws square and even. The eyes should be very dark and very round, with one the slightest almond shaping at the corners. Eyes tend to tear, so wipe them daily. Tails were traditionally docked, but since docking is illegal in most of Europe and in some areas of North America (except for medical reasons), this practice is becoming less common.
The coat should be flat, but a slight wave is acceptable. The hairs should have a silky feel to them and there should be feathering on the abdomen, legs, chest, and ears. Colors are many and varied. Any solid color is acceptable, as are merle, black and tan points, parti-colored, and solid color with tan points. Length varies because show lines have longer coats than field lines. If you like to leave your Cocker Spaniel's hair a little longer, daily grooming is required. For those who clip the coat shorter, weekly grooming is enough. This breed sheds as much as any other breed, but frequent grooming and a weekly bath can help combat this.
The American Cocker Spaniel is a bold dog with a gentle nature. Sweet and loving, this breed is intelligent enough to learn quickly and has a high desire to please. This dog loves to play and hates being ignored, but they do tend toward shyness. To combat this, socialize the dog early and often. If this is done, they become very social and shed their pathological shyness.
Great with children, this breed makes an excellent family dog. If not properly socialized, however, they can get nippy. The American Cocker Spaniel needs rules, boundaries, and limitations in order to thrive. And thrive they will. Cocker Spaniels can be perfectly happy on a ranch or in an apartment. They like exercise, but do well indoors because they are small enough to turn your couch into a jungle gym. They're not destructive (unless they're really annoyed), so if you can bear the hopping and wiggling, the American Cocker Spaniel might be for you.
There are some major health concerns that affect the American Cocker Spaniel. This breed is prone to cataracts, glaucoma, cherry eye, ear infections, allergies, seborrhea, and patellar luxation (relating to the knees). There are other minor concerns such as hip dysplasia, liver disease, elbow dysplasia, and gastric torsion. The biggest concern in recent years, however, has been Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA). This disease is almost always fatal and can present itself only 48 hours before the dog dies. Talk to your vet about the possibilities of this disease, because it turns out it's relatively common in the American Cocker Spaniel.
Originally a retrieving and water dog, the American Cocker Spaniel is a popular pet and hunting companion today. They make wonderful pets, especially for families, with many of the dogs living to 15 years or more. If you're looking for a dog that will love you every minute of every day (even when you're not home) this energetic breed might be for you.
