American Foxhound
Temperament:
This hard-working pack dog feels most at home when hunting. His training is demanding, which is why he is less suitable for families. He wants something to do and will quickly find something to do himself if he is underchallenged.
Characteristics
The American Foxhound's close relationship to the English Foxhound is immediately apparent. However, it differs from the English Foxhound in its slightly longer legs, its overall smaller size and its weight. The American Foxhound is lighter.
It has a muscular back and a deep, narrow chest. Its coat is dense, rough and close-fitting. This breed comes in all colors.
The head is elongated, as are the floppy ears. These should reach the tip of the nose when bent forward. Its eyes are brown or hazel and have a friendly expression.
As the American Foxhound has an enormous hunting instinct, it is not suitable as a pure companion dog. It wants to hunt and is a friendly, even-tempered animal when given appropriate exercise. It should also not be kept alone.
He is happiest when hunting in a large group, where he is goal-oriented, courageous and very social towards his fellow dogs. Another striking feature of this breed is its loud, deep bark, which sounds more like a song.
Training the American Foxhound is demanding. It must be challenged both physically and mentally. A consistent hand is absolutely essential to get a grip on the American Foxhound's headstrong character.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
As this dog is best used for hunting, i.e. it has a very active day, it must be fed sufficient, high-quality food. It is equally important to reduce the amount of food during periods of less activity in order to avoid obesity.
Whether dry or wet food, a bowl of fresh drinking water should always be available.
Health & Care
The coat of the American Foxhound is easy to groom. It should be brushed regularly so that no burrs form and the skin underneath can breathe well.
Since an active hunting dog is prone to injuries, it should be examined after every hunt. It does not necessarily indicate that something is wrong.
The large floppy ears are susceptible to ear infections and need to be groomed regularly.
Occasionally you can also give him chewing bones to prevent tartar.
This large breed is prone to hip dysplasia. Puppies can also be affected in HD-free parents. You should therefore have your dog examined by a vet at around eight months of age. The dog will be x-rayed to determine whether the femoral head is deep enough in the hip joint socket. If this is not the case, various surgical procedures can help. If left untreated, hip joint dysplasia leads to pain and loss of mobility.
American Foxhounds are also prone to thrombocytopenia. This is a genetic disease that inhibits blood clotting. It is therefore essential to check whether there are any known cases of thrombocytopenia in the pedigree before buying a hunting dog. Otherwise, this breed is very robust and not susceptible to disease.
Suitable accessories
In addition to a strong lead and a good harness, the American Foxhound needs an owner who is interested in hunting in order to be a happy dog. The American Foxhound needs this kind of activity. Without regular hunting, he can hardly be kept sufficiently occupied.
Furthermore, the dog should not be kept alone or with small animals. One cannot expect such a passionate hunter to be able to distinguish between hunting prey and pets. The American Foxhound is best kept in a pack that goes hunting together. These dogs are very social and sometimes get on better with their pack mates than with their owner.
Origin & History
Its ancestors include French, English and German hounds. The history of the American Foxhound began under the first American president, George Washington. It was originally bred for fox hunting. Even today, there are still variants of this breed that are used for coyote hunting in the USA. Outside the USA, it is neither very well known nor easily available. Today, it is primarily a show dog. It is also the national dog of the state of Virginia.
