AMERICAN FOXHOUND DOG

Description:

Dogs of this breed are direct descendants of the British and French dogs. It is said that the American Foxhound was used by the colonialists in the 17th century to track the Indians. However, more recently, the American Foxhound began highly prized for its talent in hunting wild animals. These dogs are never intended to be solely pets, they became especially popular among the rich, who amused themselves by hunting foxes. The American Foxhound was officially recognized by the Amercian Kannel Club in 1886.

Height: 21-25 inches  Weight: 60-70 pounds  Lifespan: 11-13 years

Characteristics:

Strong and athletic dog, the American Foxhound possesses great power. These dogs are enthusiastic hunters, focusing only on their sense of smell. The American Foxhound has a very docile and sweet demeanor, it is socially oriented, friendly and highly energetic breed. Comparable Breed: Basset Hound and Beagle.

Character:

The American Foxhound is gentle and affectionate, and yet, it is showing considerable courage during the hunt. He gets along well with children and other dogs living in the house. But with regard to smaller pets, the dogs of this breed should not be trusted. Due to the fact that American Foxhounds have a mild and friendly nature, they make poor guard dogs.

Coat / Care:

The American Foxhound has a hair of medium length, which fits tightly to the dog’s body and protects it from the weather. Shedding is medium. American Foxhound Dogs require regular cleaning, but bathing is advisable only in case of urgent need. It is important to constantly check and clean your pet`s ears.

Health Problems:

The American Foxhound has no genetic diseases, however, they can easily become overweight when overfed. A minor health risk in American Foxhounds is Thrombocytopathy or Platelet Disease. The American Foxhound has a life expectancy of 11 to 13 years.

Weight / Height

The male American Foxhound dog breed’s height is around 22 – 25 inches and weighs around 65 and 70 pounds. Female American Foxhound dogs can reach a size from 21 – 24 inches and weighs between 60 and 65 pounds.

Training:

Obedience training is essential for this breed due to their independence and natural instinct to follow a scent. In order to prevent excessive timidity, moderate socialization is a necessity. In order to achieve the best results in training socialization, teaching methodology should be based on respect, fairness, firmness, and consistency.

Activity:

Since this is an extremely energetic breed with a sonorous and loud bark, these dogs should not be kept in the city apartment. The American Foxhound needs a lot of exercises, otherwise it can become restless and destructive to the environment. It is best to keep dogs of this breed on a rural farm or in a house with a large and well-fenced yard. They especially excel in disciplines such as agility, tracking and hunting.

Photo Credit: Svenska Mässan/Flickr; ccho/Flickr