A little look at life together.
Getting to know the American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a long-legged pack hound whose working background favors stamina and time spent following scent. A short coat does not reduce the need for significant exercise and suitable company.
An everyday routine
Make space for substantial daily activity and short learning sessions. A busy weekend cannot replace a dependable weekday routine.
Coat care to plan for
A relatively straightforward coat still needs routine checks, appropriate brushing, and attention to nails and teeth. Ask a groomer to demonstrate tools that suit this coat.
Before deciding, meet the individual dog and ask about their history, handling preferences, and current routine. Breed tendencies are a starting point, not a promise about personality.
American Foxhound questions
Do American Foxhounds bark and howl a lot?
Yes. The breed is among the most vocal, and its bays and howls can carry for miles. Hound lovers find the sound musical, but it can be a problem for neighbors, so think hard about close quarters.
How much exercise does an American Foxhound need?
A lot. These hounds were bred to run for hours on a hunt, and they need at least a solid hour or two of exercise every day. Without it, a Foxhound can become bored and destructive.
How big does a full-grown American Foxhound get?
Males usually stand 22 to 25 inches tall and weigh 65 to 70 pounds, and females stand 21 to 24 inches and weigh 60 to 65 pounds. Some dogs grow taller, up to 28 inches for males and 26 inches for females.
How long do American Foxhounds live?
American Foxhounds typically live 11 to 13 years. That is a breed-wide figure, not a prediction for one dog.
Are American Foxhounds good family dogs?
They can be. Foxhounds are very good with young children and with other dogs, and those raised in a home tend to be mild, devoted and easygoing. The breed also needs lots of exercise, has a prey drive that must be managed, and can be a steep challenge for novice owners to train and housebreak. Supervise any dog around small children.
What is the difference between an American Foxhound and an English Foxhound?
The American has longer, more finely boned legs and a slightly arched loin, and its chest is narrower in proportion to its depth than the English hound's. The American Foxhound was developed in colonial America from English Foxhounds, with Irish, French and other hounds thought to have been added.
Do American Foxhounds shed, and how much grooming do they need?
They shed a moderate amount, and coat care is about as easy as it gets. The coat is short, hard and close, and a quick weekly session with a bristle brush or hound glove is usually enough. Baths are only needed when the dog gets into something messy.
Can an American Foxhound be trusted off leash?
Usually not outside a secure fence. Foxhounds are very hard to call back once they are on a scent, and it may never be safe to have one off leash in an open area. Stick to leashed walks and securely fenced spaces, and train with patience and persistence.
