American Foxhound

American Foxhounds have a rather bony and tall figure, giving them a much larger size than the closely related English foxhound. They have an incredible sense of smell to pick up any scent, and they have a strong, prominent neck.

All these characteristics allow these dogs to have greater speed and agility, especially over rough terrain. These dogs are known to expressively vocalize everything that they want to communicate to their owners. Their coat is of medium length and is usually stiff. They usually have a pleading and gentle expression on their face, allowing their strong sense of smell to guide them to the scent that they pick up.

3 Pros and Cons of Owning an American Foxhound

Before you adopt any pet, you need to know what’s in store. The American foxhound is an incredible dog, but getting a clear perspective of what this dog is like can ensure that you make the right choice. Here are some pros and cons of owning American foxhounds:

History and Origins

George Washington was a prominent figure of the American Revolution and was known to model his life at Mount Vernon after British elites. He hunted foxes with a pack of hounds he bred from British imports and refined with French breeding stock given by a friend. Other aristocratic families of the founding generation of America also enjoyed horse and hound activities. After the Revolutionary War, the American Foxhound was further developed until it was distinct from its English counterpart. Foxhunting was the primary sport of the gentry until the Civil War. Now, the American Foxhound is the official state dog of Virginia.

Reproduction and Puppies

The American Foxhound has a gestation period of approximately 57 to 65 days. On average, litters will contain between four and six puppies. Puppies are usually born weighing 10 to 12 ounces and reach an adult weight of around 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. At birth, the puppies are both blind and deaf, but will start to develop their senses over the next few weeks. Weaning typically occurs around 8 to 12 weeks after birth. They will start experimenting in addition to nursing from their mothers when they are 3 to 4 weeks old, but should remain with their mothers until naturally weaned.

Size and Weight

American foxhounds are taller than English foxhounds. The females are 21 to 24 inches in length and weigh about 40-60 pounds. The males are a little bigger, reaching 22-25 inches in length and weighing 45 to 65 pounds.

Common Health Issues

American foxhounds are generally healthy and not prone to many diseases, saving tons of money on veterinary visits. Hip dysplasia is one of the most common issues that can arise with this type of dog, due to their long legs. This condition occurs when the hip joint doesn’t line up properly in growth, and it can be incredibly painful.

The issues that often plague these dogs have to do with their blood, including thrombocytopathy and Pelger–Huët. Thrombocytopathy covers a range of different blood disorders, impacting platelets in the blood. The Pelger–Huët anomaly impacts the white blood cells, though the issue is benign. American foxhounds are also prone to ear infections, which are easily treated.

Temperament

These dogs have a friendly temperament with both the owner’s family as well as other pets. They are affectionate, kind, and intelligent, making them a faithful companion for a family. They love to act as playmates for the family’s kids. However, American foxhounds can sometimes be aggressive with strangers.

These dogs have personalities that are a mix of gentle and destructive. The trigger for the destructiveness seems to be alone time since this pup becomes anxious when its owner goes away. As a way to satisfy the separation anxiety, they will start to chew, eat, and ultimately destroy things in your home. They’ll also whine to get their owner’s attention when they leave the room.

American foxhounds have great stamina and can run several miles at a time. However, they require a lot of exercise and are not suitable for apartment life at all.

Care

Every dog is different, and the American Foxhound has a few things that you should consider before you adopt one. Their diet, daily behavior, and even their early care as puppies will vary. However, with a few tips, understanding what they need is simple.

The Best Dog Food

With the outdoorsy nature of the American foxhound, a steady diet of both high-quality meat and vegetables will keep their body strong. Historically, some hunting hounds may have been fed horsemeat due to its availability, but today, American Foxhounds thrive on high-quality commercial or home-prepared dog food that meets their nutritional needs. Cooked eggs and broccoli are favorites of the breed, though they should be given in moderation to avoid digestive upset or flatulence.

Because American Foxhounds can end up with blood disorders that impact the blood cells, namely Thrombocytopathy and Pelger–Huët anomaly, ensure that your American Foxhound gets complete nutrition.

Maintenance and Grooming

The American foxhound has a short and dense coat. For grooming purposes, you would need to brush the coat once every week to remove all the dead hair and help distribute skin oils. With moderate shedding, you can avoid excessive hair everywhere by brushing their coat frequently.

Bathing American foxhounds should be done on an as-needed basis. They’ll also need their nails and ears cleaned. Their teeth would need to be brushed for overall dental health, as well as to maintain fresh breath.

Training

Training these dogs is not very difficult, though they can be independent and stubborn. You will have to be stern and firm for these dogs to effectively follow your training commands, lest they get their own ideas.

Exercise

These dogs require plenty of exercise daily. They have great stamina and can run for several miles at a time. If you ride a bike, you could allow your dog to run along with you while you cycle around.

Another possible exercise could be to allow them to accompany you on your hiking trips. These dogs are also great jogging companions.

Puppies

Puppies need to be taken care of in the same way as you would take care of an adult dog. However, it would be great to start training the puppies earlier on so that they can develop good habits and can be trained easily.

The meals of the puppies should be broken into several small meals so that their little stomachs are able to digest the food.

American Foxhounds and Children

These dogs are known to be great with children. They absolutely love kids and are very tolerant towards them. They are gentle and tolerant with children, making them good playmates for kids of all ages. These dogs make great playmates.

Dogs Similar to American Foxhounds

If an American foxhound isn’t the right match for you, there are still many dog breeds that could find a happy place in your family. Here are some dogs that are similar to these dogs.

• Bluetick Coonhound: Much like the American foxhounds, these dogs are also hunting dogs and are famous for picking up the scent with their “cold” nose. However, they are much larger, reaching approximately 80 lbs. when fully grown.
• Beagle: These dogs are fun and loving and are very curious. They also have sweet faces and are very popular with families.
• Basenji: These dogs are also hunting dogs and are advertised as “barkless dogs.” While they are not completely silent, they are much quieter than the American foxhounds.

Famous American Foxhounds

Some of the famous American foxhounds in history date back to the early formation of the United States. George Washington brought along two foxhounds, breeding them with French foxhounds.