Recommended for: Active sports lovers, game hunters, rural environment
Maintenance Level: Low for grooming, high for exercise & training
Lifespan: 11-13 years
Temperament:
Easy-going, good-natured, independent
Health Risk:
This breed has a medium probability of having health issues in its lifetime, hence it is one of the more affordable breeds to insure.
Breed Overview
The American Foxhound is, as its name suggests, a hunting dog bred in the USA to hunt foxes and other game. A scenting pack hound, she has tremendous hunting instincts, a keen sense of smell and great energy to run effortlessly for many hours on the chase. She is known for her speed, endurance and work ethic. When hunting, she works with a pack of likeminded foxhounds who track quarry along with hunters, who usually follow on horseback.
The American Foxhound’s sleek, rangy body is well balanced, powerful and clean cut. With longer, leaner and more finely boned legs than her cousin, the English Foxhound, her loin (back end) is slightly arched, allowing her a greater speed and agility over rough terrain. At maturity, the breed reaches a height of 58 to 64 cm and a weight of 27 to 32 kg.
Her face is characterised by her large, soft brown eyes, set well apart, and her expression is described as gentle and pleading. She has a short, hard coat lying close to her body that is usually a tricolour of black, white and tan. The coat’s hard texture protects her from the underbrush she courses through while on the hunt and is easy to take care of, requiring merely a short, once-a-week grooming session and bathing only when absolutely necessary.
Although grooming her is easy, taking care of some of an American Foxhound’s other needs can be much more challenging! Bred specifically to spend long hours chasing after prey, she needs LOTS of daily exercise, or she can quickly become depressed or destructive (or both). She really does require a very active owner, such as a long-distance runner or hiker, a frequent hunter, or a dog sport enthusiast. Additionally, she has a single-minded prey drive that needs careful management – and to be kept on the leash when out and about – as well as a large, securely fenced-in yard in which to run loose.
The American Foxhound is definitely not suited to apartment life or even to urban environments. With voice generously described as ‘melodious’ when on the trail, her loud baying and bawling can be extremely disturbing to neighbours within earshot. She is most suited to country living, where her activity needs can be more easily met, and her daily concerts won’t disturb neighbours. Despite this, she is not an outdoor dog; rather, she loves being indoors with her human companions or hanging out with other dogs – after all, she is very much a pack animal.