The American Foxhound is a hunting dog developed in the United States. He is descended from the English Foxhound which is one of the UK's most popular hunting dogs. These dogs are distinguished by their limbs, which are noticeably longer and thinner than those of American Foxhounds. They are easy dogs, quite easy to keep and very sociable, two characteristics that encourage more and more people to decide to adopt one as a pet.
In this breed sheet from PlanèteAnimal, we are going to talk to you in detail about the American Foxhound, one of the most popular hunting dog breeds in their country of origin.We will tell you about its origin, its most notable characteristics, the care it needs, its education and its he alth.
Happy reading!
Origin
- America
- United States
FCI Nomenclature
- Group VI
Physical Characteristics
- End
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 10-12
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Active
- Affectionate
Ideal for
- Apartment
- House
- The hunt
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Hot
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- Hard
Origin of the American Foxhound
" The American Foxhound breed is closely associated with the generation of the Founders of the United States, who brought many customs from the United Kingdom to the English colonies in America, including the traditional fox hunt.The American elite of the time practiced the sport, as did former President George Washington himself and other well-known families such as the Jeffersons, Lees and Custises. Although not very popular as a show dog, the American Foxhound excelled in hunting duties until post-colonial times when the breed standard was finally adjusted, separating it completely of the English Foxhound. It is now the state dog of Virginia."
Characteristics of the American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a large molosser-type dog, larger and lighter than its closest relative, the English Foxhound. Males are typically 56-63.5cm at the withers, while females are 53-61cm at the withers. Their head is medium in length and slightly domed. His stop is moderately defined. Its eyes are large, set well apart and hazel or brown in color. Its ears are long, pendulous, set high and with rounded tips.
His body is athletic, with a muscular and sturdy back but of medium length. The loin is broad and slightly arched. His chest is deep but relatively narrow. Its tail is high set, slightly curved and carried high, but never curled over the back. The coat of this foxhound is medium length, rough and dense. It can be any color.
American Foxhound Character
Like its English cousin, the American Foxhound is a dynamic, curious and sociable dog. Although he has a loud bark and is very tenacious in tracking down scents, he is not really a good guard dog as he tends to be overly friendly. It is a dog that needs company, so it is not suitable for people who spend a lot of time away from home.
Due to their friendly nature, socializing the American Foxhound puppy is usually not a challenge.During this time, which begins at 4 weeks and ends at around two months, we will strive to introduce the dog to all types of people, animals and environments. Thus, he will have a stable temperament in adulthood with all types of people, animals and places.
The breed does not typically exhibit behavioral issues, but regular punishment, loneliness, lack of exercise, or lack of mental stimulation can cause the dog to develop behavioral issues such as nervousness, destructiveness or excessive vocalizations.
Dealing with American Foxhound
Caring for an American Foxhound is a simple thing to do. Starting with the coat, we recommend that you brush it once or twice a week. As for the bath, it should only be washed when it is really dirty and we recommend that you wash it at most once every 2/3 months.
As he is an active dog, he should be offered between 3 and 4 daily walks, as well as the possibility of practicing a canine sport, such as agility. The practice of mental stimulation and, in particular, sniffing games, are highly recommended to keep your senses active, your mind alert and your level of well-being optimal. It may make more sense to keep them in a rural environment, but if we try to provide them with a good quality of life, they can also adapt to an urban environment.
Another important aspect is the diet, which should always be based on quality products. If we have decided to opt for a diet based on the best foods on the market, we will make sure to adapt the quantities, taking into account daily physical activity. In the event that we offer homemade recipes or specific diets, we will consult the veterinarian to help us adapt the ingredients and quantities.
American Foxhound Training
Training the American Foxhound should begin at an early age. The first thing to teach him is to urinate in a newspaper and then teach him to urinate in the street. At this age, he must also be taught the basic rules of the home and how to inhibit his bite.
" Later we will introduce him to basic obedience, which includes learning basic commands such as sit, down and stay. It is essential that he learns these commands, since it is essential if we want to have good communication with the dog. Positive reinforcement, whether in the form of rewards, toys, petting or verbal reinforcement, should be used to encourage learning."
American Foxhound He alth
While most dog breeds have a certain predisposition to develop hereditary diseases common to the breed, in the American Foxhound we have not yet observed frequent he alth problems.Despite this, being a medium to large sized dog, the life expectancy of the American Foxhound is between 10 and 12 years.
To maintain optimal he alth, we recommend a visit to the veterinarian every 6 to 12 months, strict adherence to the dog's vaccination schedule and regular deworming. In this way, we will minimize the risk of developing he alth problems and can offer a better prognosis to the dog if they are detected.
American Foxhound Pictures
