American Foxhound Photo

American Foxhound Dog Breed Info & Pictures

Swift, agile, and equipped with a powerful nose, the American Foxhound lives to hunt. In fact, this dog was bred specifically to be the best hunting dog around. Lean and strong, their short coat can be any color. Don’t let their well-earned reputation as a capable hunter give you the wrong impression: they are very affectionate at home, and their gentle eyes have a naturally pleading look that will have you dishing out tummy rubs on demand before you know it.

American Foxhounds have a slightly high-set tail with minimal curvature, which streamlines into their lean body that is built for speed and quick changes of direction. Taller, yet lighter than their British cousins, the American Foxhound dog is happiest when racing across the trail, following their famously powerful noses after an interesting scent.

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American Foxhound Fast Facts

Hound
12 - 13 years
United States
17th century
45 - 65 lb
40 - 60 lb
22 - 25"
21 - 24"
American Fox Hound.
None

Photos

Temperament

The American Foxhound is happiest when theyre hunting, running, and leaping through woods....

This dogs sense of smell is absolutely amazing. They think so, too, and the world for them is filled with good sniffs and fascinating odors to explore. In fact, once they are in pursuit of a new smell, it can be really difficult to get them to focus on anything else including listening to you!

Despite their hunting roots, they are great with kids, very affectionate, and quite gentle. Outside of immediate family, their reaction to new faces and strangers varies greatly. Some are wary and protective, eying newcomers with an I dont know about this guy expression. More social American Foxhounds will scramble on the floor to get up as quickly as possible when the doorbell rings, even beating the local Labrador in a mad rush to introduce themselves. Others land anywhere on the spectrum of cheerfully social to cautiously skeptical.

Due to the tremendous variation in how they react, its really important to find out more about the parents of your prospective pup if youre working with American Foxhound breeders. Any reputable breeder will have the parents available on-site for you to meet and see how they respond to new people. That way, you can be sure you find the companion with the right personality for you.

Trained as a pack hunter, American Foxhounds get along swell with other dogs. But they do bay, howl, and carry on a bit, so they dont mix well with city life.

Caring For a American Foxhound

American Foxhounds are bursting with speed and stamina....

This dog needs a lot of physical and mental exercise every day. While daily walks and romps are OK, they are happiest when they can do what they were born to do: hunt. Trained early and often, American Foxhounds are simply amazing dogs to have at your side in search of fresh game. Even if you dont plan on taking them hunting with you, obedience training at an early age is super important, or this smart, athletic dog can be difficult to manage as they grow up.

Their short coat requires very little grooming, which is a nice perk. A pack animal at heart, they are happiest in the home with their family, and they dont take well to being put outside where they feel alone and separated. This dog wants to hunt with you all day, share meals in the same room, and then curl up and warm your feet at night after a job well done. They are an incredibly healthy breed and dont have a record of hereditary illnesses.

American Foxhound History

Breed History

With a long history of hunting, American Foxhounds remain true to their original purpose....

Their predecessors first arrived in the America in 1650. Fox hunting was a popular sport then, and the distant relatives of the American Foxhound excelled at the sport, which required a strong nose, speed, and the ability to change direction at a moments notice.

Pleased with the dog's success at hunting foxes, American hunters wanted the dog to be able to pursue deer as well. Foxhounds from Ireland and France made their way into the breeds family tree, and by the 19th century, the American Foxhound as we know them today had taken shape. The breed was formally recognized by the AKC in 1886. Even today, the American Foxhound remains a hunting dog, an important role they have held for nearly 400 years straight. Now thats a winning record!

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