American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is one of the few breeds native to the Americas, and as such, is a famous dog in the United States, even if it is also very rare. Very few puppies are born in a year and breeders can be hard to find. History This dog originated in Virginia and Maryland during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its ancestors include the Walker Foxhound, Goodman Foxhound, and Trigg Foxhound from Europe, all of which are scent hounds. These types of dogs were traditionally used to sniff out foxes during a hunt. It is thought that Robert Brooke was the first man to bring hounds to the colonies, and his family continued breeding them on American soil for over 300 years. However, the American Foxhound as we know it today was developed by George Washington himself. He bred his own line by mixing French Foxhounds and Brook's dogs, and he kept journals of his observations how the breed changed and what desirable traits evolved. Because Brook's dogs were of many different lines, the American Foxhound has varying strains. The names Walker, Goodman, and Trigg are still applied to some strains, while the July and Penn-Marydel are other strains. Since its development, the American Foxhound has been used for many different purposes in the United States. Some usually the Walker strains are bred for show. Those with loud voices are often used as fox hunting hounds because the high volume allows them to communicate to the hunter where the fox is. Those with speed are used in competitions. And those who work well in teams are placed with up to twenty other hounds to work with hunt clubs; the Penn-Marydel strain is the most common pack hound. Appearance The American Foxhound is a muscular and lean dog that can be described as a very large Beagle. The deep, narrow chest houses large lungs made for long runs. The rest of the torso is lean. Straight, long legs support the body with medium-thick bones. The tail is usually straight and not overly long or short. All of these features combined give the dog an air of stealth, which is important in a hunting dog. American Foxhounds have a short, hard coat that is coarse to the touch and comes in one of four colors. Fur can be black and tan, blue, red, or tri-colored, where the tri-colored are usually a mix of black, tan, and white. Male dogs are usually bigger than females, and are usually between 22 and 25 inches tall; females are normally between 21 and 24 inches tall. On average, the males weigh about 65 to 75 pounds while the females are about 40 to 65 pounds. However, these measurements vary based on the function of the dog. Show dogs, for instance, are usually a little bit larger than the hunters. The American Foxhound has a longer head with a domed top. Its eyes should be hazel or brown. The ears hang down rather than standing up. These features create a gentle expression that is welcoming. Temperament The American Foxhound can be patient and calm, especially around small children and families. They are great family dogs. However, they can have independent spirits, which can lead them to be mischievous. All of these treats are typical of hounds and can be observed in the American Foxhound's relatives. Other personality traits include loyalty and intelligence. Well-socialized hounds are often well behaved as well. Health Issues The average age of the American Foxhound is between 10 and 13 years. They are generally healthy and do not have a lot of hereditary diseases. Other minor risks include eye problems later in life, the possibility of hip dysplasia (though it is very rare in this breed), and obesity. American Foxhounds don't have an off switch when it comes to food, so owners must control portion sizes to prevent unwanted weight gain. Pet Care These hounds were bred for energy and they love to run, so owners who live in rural areas with a lot of open space will find this dog easy to take care of. Owners in suburban or city areas will have to exercise their hound frequently by taking them out for walks or into enclosed dog areas for a good run or fetch session. Left without exercise, an American Foxhound can become destructive and will start scratching at furniture and digging at the carpets. Grooming is simple because the coat is short, so upkeep isn't necessary. However, training can be a problem. American Foxhounds are known to be stubborn, so regular training will be necessary to teach the dog to behave. What Owners Have to Say Owners' opinions vary greatly based on the type of Foxhound they have. Those keeping them as pets may praise them for their loyalty. Those using them on the hunt may praise them for their incredible tracking abilities and team work. Is this the right dog for you? To determine whether or not this is the right dog for you, you have to take into consideration what you will be using the dog for. If you plan on hunting foxes or joining a hunting club, there is no doubt that this is the perfect breed. Hunting trials and competitions are another great venue for the American Foxhound, so if you are interested in that, there's nothing holding you back from buying this dog. However, if you are looking for a family pet, there are some things you should consider. While these pets are great around small children, they do have some flaws. Their need for energy is one of the most problematic issues. They will destroy small apartments if they need to get out and run around. Plus, if not socialized properly, you may run into some behavioral issues with a Foxhound. It can be argued that these are problems typical of any untrained dog, and that's true. The only real problem with the American Foxhound is its rarity. They aren't as popular as Golden Retrievers and other dogs, so puppies are not bred as frequently. You may have to go on a waiting list if you want a purebred American Foxhound.

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