American Foxhounds were a fixture in the southern colonies: these dogs lived in Maryland and Virginia as far back as the early 18th century. The breed is native to America; in fact, it's one of the nation's rarest native breeds. Born to hunt, these high-energy dogs run 'til they drop, become rowdy when bored, and sing with a voice only a mother could love.
This large breed can grow to between 60 and 70 pounds and live 11-13 years. The breed is recognized by the American Kennel Club and classified as a member of the Hound group.
| AKC Recognized | Y |
| Breed's original pastime | Hunting |
| Origin | USA |
| Breed group | Hound |
| Average lifespan | 11-13 years |
| Size | Large |
| Bark factor | Moderate |
| AKC Ranking | 148 |
| Family | Scenthound |
| Date of origin | 1600s |
| Original function | Trailing fox |
| Today's function | Trailing fox |
| Average size of male | Height: 22-25 Weight: 40-65 |
| Average size of female | Height: 21-24 Weight: 40-65 |
| Other name | None |
| Energy level | High energy |
| Exercise needs | High |
| Playfullness | Moderately playful |
| Affection level | Moderately affectionate |
| Friendliness toward other dogs | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward other pets | Friendly |
| Friendliness toward strangers | Friendly |
| Ease of training | Easy to train |
| Watchdog ability | High |
| Protection ability | Not very protective |
| Grooming needs | High maintenance |
| Cold tolerance | Low tolerance |
| Heat tolerance | Medium tolerance |
BEHAVIOR & TRAINING
WHAT IS AN AMERICAN FOXHOUND'S PERSONALITY LIKE?
A well-exercised American Foxhound has a lovely temperament and is relatively laid-back, though some can have a stubborn streak. This breed is almost everyone's best buddy: they get along swimmingly with other dogs, other pets (even some cats!), and children, though some are wary of strangers. American Foxhounds are not usually very affectionate, but they're easygoing housemates when their exercise needs are met.
WHAT IS AMERICAN FOXHOUND BEHAVIOR LIKE?
American Foxhounds are fairly playful dogs and very vigilant though not particularly protective. They're somewhat prone to barking, or, to be more accurate, baying.
HOW EASY IS IT TO TRAIN AN AMERICAN FOXHOUND?
The American Foxhound is a somewhat biddable dog, reasonably smart, and easily trained. Start early and be consistent—you'll need to manage this dog's tunnel vision when it sights prey.
CARE & HEALTH
HOW MUCH DO AMERICAN FOXHOUNDS SHED AND WHAT ARE THEIR GROOMING NEEDS?
Dog coats don't get much more low maintenance than this—American Foxhound's short hair doesn't shed much at all, so they can get by with only occasional trips to the groomers. Keep those adorable floppy ears clean — it's dark and moist under there, which can cultivate bacteria that can cause ear infections.
WHAT HEALTH PROBLEMS DO AMERICAN FOXHOUNDS HAVE?
By and large, this is a hardy and healthy breed. As noted above, those low-dragging ears can be prone to bacterial infection. Some suffer from thrombocytopathy, which can cause minor scrapes to bleed excessively. American Foxhounds can sometimes develop hip dysplasia.
Feeding your baby American Foxhound a growth food for large-breed puppies may slow their rate of growth but not diminish their adult stature which may help prevent or reduce the impact of adult-onset hip dysplasia
