American Foxhound

Grooming Tips

The American Foxhound’s short, dense coat is easy to groom. Brush it weekly with a hound mitt or rubber curry brush to remove dead hairs and distribute skin oils. The dogs shed moderately, and regular brushing will help prevent loose hair from settling on your floors, furniture, and clothing. Bathe the dog as needed.Check the ears on a regular basis for signs of wax buildup, irritation or infection. Clean the ears with a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved cleanser. Trim nails once per month, if the dog does not wear down the toenails naturally outdoors. Brush teeth weekly (or more) to prevent tartar buildup, promote gum health and keep bad breath at bay.

Exercise Tips

We’ve mentioned it before, but we’ll say it again – the American Foxhound needs lots of exercise. This breed was made for hunting and boasts superior stamina, with a seemingly never-ending energy reserve. There’s no leisurely stroll for this dog – you have to give your Foxhound at least one vigorous hour of exercise a day. If you’re not a hunter, don’t participate in outdoor activities, or live in an apartment or condo, this is not the breed for you. If a Foxhound doesn’t get enough exercise, it will become destructive behavior, bay and howl and exhibit neurotic tendencies.Hunters will love the American Foxhound. A hard-working hunting dog, this breed can be used as a tracker in the field. Just like the Energizer Bunny, the Foxhound will keep going and going for hours without become tired. Once they catch a scent, they will follow it without distraction. When not being used for hunting, the American Foxhound should be kept in a fenced-in area or on a leash.The Foxhound isn’t a lone wolf, so to speak. It loves people and other dogs. The more, the merrier – bring home a couple of dogs to keep the American Foxhound company.

Feeding Tips

The American Foxhound should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior).Foxhounds love to eat and can be prone to getting overweight, so to prevent obesity it can be better to feed an adult two measured feedings per day rather than allowing him to free-feed all day.Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

Health Tips

The average life span of the American Foxhound is 11 to 13 years. Breed health concerns may includecongenital deafness,eye problems,ear infections,hip dysplasia, Pelger-Huet anomaly and thrombocytopathy. Overfeeding can easily lead toobesity.

Trainability

American Foxhounds are easygoing and amiable. They also can be stubborn and independent, however, which can make training an exercise in patience.Obedience classesare recommended, and as scenthounds, it may never be safe to have them off-leash, because their noses can lead them into trouble.Foxhounds raised in the home tend to be wonderfully mild-tempered, devoted, and easygoing companions, and they get along well with children. Even so, owners will need patience and persistence when training them, and hounds can develop unwanted behaviors if not given enough exercise.

The American Foxhound is directly descended from English hounds brought to America in 1650 and bred over a century later to a French hound sent as a gift by Lafayette to George Washington. Washington ran a breeding program and often mentioned the hounds in his journals. The two breeds, French and English, in combination have produced the American Foxhound.In the seventeenth century, these dogs were used for seeking out Indians. Later, however, they became efficient and untiring hunters of wild animals. The American Foxhound has an excellent nose and is very fast when giving chase. He has great stamina for running and a musical bay. The American Foxhound is still primarily a hunting and field trial dog in both packs and alone, though he has also had success as a companion dog for those owners who provide enough exercise and activities. Its talents are hunting, tracking, watchdog and agility. The American Foxhound is somewhat faster and a little leaner than theEnglish Foxhound.