American Foxhound: Your Complete Guide

The American foxhound is one of the few dog breeds that is uniquely American. In fact, these dogs are often closely associated with the American Revolution and the soldiers who fought in that war. This is likely due to their ability to track, hunt, and keep up with their handlers. 

Whether it was saving someone from battle or fetching the troops a squirrel for dinner, the American foxhound became one of the most popular breeds in the country during the 1700s.

Today, American foxhounds are still the same dogs they were back then. The key difference is that they’re usually hanging around someone’s property instead of rushing into a battlefield or hunting for game. That said, they still have the same genetics, so you’ll find that these dogs have a lot of energy, require extensive training, and you’ll need a lot of property to care for them without problems.

It also helps to understand health problems, grooming needs, how they behave with children, and even how smart they are. By having a better understanding of the American foxhound breed, you’ll find it easier to adopt or purchase one. Thankfully, we have your back with this guide. Read on to learn more about the American foxhound.

Quick Look at the American Foxhound 

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs. 

Weight/Height	21-25 inches at the shoulder, and 60 to 70 pounds.
Coat Type	Smooth, short, and soft.
Grooming Needs
Shedding
Temperament	Loyal, protective, and playful.
Good With Kids
Good With Other Animals
Intelligence
Easy to Train
Energy Level
Barking Habits
Lifespan	10-12 years.

What Is the History of American Foxhounds?

The American foxhound has a unique history that you’ll rarely see with other dog breeds. In fact, the first president of the United States, George Washington, had a hand in bringing this dog breed to life. Washington was able to help with the formation of this breed because he was an avid fox hunter, and he bred his English hounds with French hounds to create a unique offspring. 

While it didn’t start out as its own unique dog breed, over the years, it started to become one.

That said, you’ll also find that George Washington wasn’t alone. Thomas Jefferson, the Curtises, and even the Lees were all involved in creating this unique dog breed. The reason that these dogs grew so rapidly in popularity was due to the lifestyle that people maintained during the 1700s. 

After all, people had to hunt, travel by horse, and find a lot of their own food, and the American foxhound quickly became a mainstay in American households.

While the breed started to come together in the 1700s, its refinement didn’t stop there. Over time, more breeders began breeding American foxhounds, and eventually, they became different from their English foxhound counterparts. While these dogs were used in hunting adventures and battles throughout the colonial period and the American Civil War, this isn’t exactly the case. 

Today, American foxhounds are often used as pets or for agility competitions. It’s also worth noting that American foxhounds are the state dogs of Virginia.

What Do American Foxhounds Look Like?

American foxhounds look a lot like English foxhounds, and some of the French breeds with which they were bred. While American foxhounds from the Civil War and Revolutionary eras may have looked closer to their ancestors, this isn’t the case today. 

You’ll find that American foxhounds have big floppy ears, black noses, brown eyes, and prominent snouts. Typically, they have agile builds with long legs that help them run at fast speeds. When it comes to colors, you’ll find that most American foxhounds have a few color patterns. However, most patterns tend to include white, tan, and black colors.

What Size Is an American Foxhound?

The American foxhound is a great example of a medium-sized dog. You’ll find that they tend to be around 21 to 25 inches tall (at the shoulder) and 55-71 pounds in weight. However, you’ll find that males tend to be an inch or two taller than females. Males also tend to put on a few extra pounds, although whether that’s fat or muscle may depend on their diet.

What Is an American Foxhound’s Coat Type and Length?

The American foxhound has a short to medium-length coat. You’ll find that the texture of the coat can be smooth or hard, and the hair tends to be straight. Therefore, if you see an American foxhound with a curly coat, the breeder may be lying to you.

What Is an American Foxhound’s Temperament? 

The American foxhound gets a lot of their personality traits from their Revolutionary ancestors. However, these traits pair well with modern life, so you don’t have to worry about a little war vet running around your property. You’ll find that most American foxhounds are friendly and gentle, unless they’re hunting, and even protective of their handlers. 

This makes them a great fit for families. 

That said, American foxhounds are on the independent side. Due to their history of hunting adventures, American foxhounds don’t mind exploring your backyard all by themselves. However, you’ll also find that these dogs have a ton of energy you may need to manage. Thankfully, you can accomplish this through playing, walking, and training them.

Last but not least, don’t be surprised if these canine companions give you a little bit of lip. They’re known for being vocal dogs, so you may need to work on that with them if you don’t want them barking at everyone who passes you by. Still, every dog is different, so don’t be surprised if your American foxhound’s personality is a bit different.

Are American Foxhounds Good With Kids?

American foxhounds tend to be gentle dogs. This makes them a great choice for children of all ages. The only real concern is their size and energy level. If your small child is playing with them, sometimes it can be dangerous if the foxhound is too playful. Luckily, this is rare, and only a slight intervention should be necessary.

You’ll also find that the American foxhound is great for children who have tons of energy. Due to their high energy levels, you might get lucky, and they’ll end up tiring each other out.

Are American Foxhounds Good With Other Animals?

When it comes to their interactions with other animals, the American foxhound isn’t bad, per se, but they may need a little bit of work. Unfortunately, the American foxhound’s prey drive never really left them, so they may chase small animals, bark at squirrels, and exhibit other similar types of behavior. 

While this may be the case, once an American foxhound gets comfortable around other animals with a little socialization, you won’t have any problems with this dog breed.

Are American Foxhounds Aggressive?

American foxhounds may have come into existence during a time of turmoil in the United States, but that doesn’t mean they’re aggressive. In fact, you’ll find that American foxhounds are quite the opposite. Once they get used to you and your family, your American foxhound will become loyal and protective – if anything. 

That said, American foxhounds can be aggressive towards some smaller animals due to their prey drive, but you can always work on this with a proper training program and socialization.

Do American Foxhounds Bark?

Asking if an American foxhound barks is like asking if a duck quacks; the answer is definitely a yes. Now, where things get interesting is how often these dogs bark and what they tend to bark at. Due to their prey drive, American foxhounds will usually bark at smaller animals and alert you to their position. 

Sure, this may have been great in 1792, but it’s not exactly ideal in the suburbs. That said, they don’t usually bark too much otherwise.

The good news is that you can always train them to bark less. Socialization may also help, especially if they’re sounding the alarm bells in your own home.

Are American Foxhounds Affectionate?

American foxhounds are a little bit aloof, and they value their independence. Therefore, these dogs aren’t exactly lap dogs, at least not in the traditional sense. However, you’ll find that American foxhounds will open up to strangers once they meet them a few times, and if you’re lucky, an American foxhound may cuddle up right next to you.

Are American Foxhounds Intelligent?

American foxhounds are some of the smartest dogs on the planet. You won’t have to worry about any limitations if you want to teach them advanced tricks, and their intelligence even helps them win awards at local dog shows and agility events. 

Due to their history of hunting, you’ll also find that American foxhounds tend to be great at tracking, working, and just about anything else they try.

Are American Foxhounds Energetic?

The American foxhound isn’t a sit-around-and-hang kind of dog. Instead, the American foxhound requires a good bit of playtime. You’ll want to focus on helping them exercise for at least 30 minutes daily, but if you don’t want them to keep you up all night, we recommend about an hour. 

Aside from playing, you can also bring them on hikes with you, take them for a run, or even challenge them physically and mentally during your next training sessions. 

Are American Foxhounds Easy to Train?

The American foxhound is a straightforward dog to train – we’ll start with that. That said, you need to remain consistent with these dogs. For the best results, focus on positive reinforcement to get them excited about training, and then come up with a schedule that involves training them at the same time every day. 

It’s also not a bad idea to really challenge them during sessions, especially once they get the basics. You’ll find that American foxhounds benefit from 20-30-minute sessions that stimulate them mentally and physically.

Now, training a dog can be hard, especially one as energetic as the American foxhound. For this reason, you can always start with one of our online dog training programs for more guidance.

Are American Foxhounds Good Watchdogs?

American foxhounds are great watchdogs. Whether it’s a squirrel or a stranger approaching your door, an American foxhound will alert you to their position. While American foxhounds are good watchdogs, sometimes you need to work with them or train them to only bark at specific things. Ultimately, they’re about as good as you train them to be.

Are American Foxhounds Good Service Dogs?

American foxhounds may seem like great candidates for service dog work, but this actually isn’t the case. Sure, they’re smart, loyal, and trainable, but the other problem is their energy level. They need a lot of space to roam around, play, and expend some of their energy. Unfortunately, if they’re unable to do so, an American foxhound may become restless. 

While this isn’t a problem for someone who doesn’t have a physical disability and can even be helpful for someone who needs a dog to get them out of bed in the morning, this makes them a rough fit for some people. Therefore, you should only consider an American foxhound for service dog work on a case-by-case basis.

How to Care for an American Foxhound 

Caring for an American foxhound is a lot easier than you think, as long as you have the time. Sure, they shed a lot, especially when the seasons change, but you don’t have to worry about bathing or brushing them daily. American foxhounds also tend to be healthy dogs, so an annual trip to the vet should be all you need.

However, you do need to clip their nails, brush their teeth, and feed them a well-rounded diet.

Do You Need to Groom an American Foxhound?

When it comes to grooming an American foxhound, you’ll find that their grooming needs are relatively minimal. Brush them a few times weekly to bond with them, but don’t worry about bathing them unless they really need one. Also, if they’re not wearing down their nails naturally, you may need to clip them monthly.

It’s also important to brush their teeth weekly and clean their ears. Also, keep an eye out for ticks or infections when you groom them. It’s best to address these problems early.

Do American Foxhounds Shed?

The American foxhound sheds, and you’ll find that most dogs tend to shed. You’ll find that they shed a moderate amount, but this can quickly become overwhelming if you’re not brushing them frequently. 

It’s also important to note that American foxhounds shed more during the spring when they shed their winter coat, so you may want to brush them more than once a week during this period.

What Health Problems Do American Foxhounds Have?

American foxhounds tend to be healthy dogs. However, they may develop genetic issues, like leukodystrophy and even deafness. This is due to their bloodlines tracing back to English foxhounds and other French breeds. Otherwise, they have some common health issues that you can expect for large, energetic dogs.

American foxhounds may develop hip problems later in life, and they’re also prone to ear and dental infections. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also be common, but you should be able to notice these problems sooner rather than later. As your American foxhound ages, we also recommend keeping an eye on their vision, hearing, and weight, especially once they stop being active.

How Long Do American Foxhounds Live?

The average lifespan of an American foxhound is around 10 to 12 years. While this is the average lifespan, how long they live depends on their health, diet, and exercise levels. You’ll find that the active and healthy American foxhound lifespan can be a lot longer than 12 years, and that unhealthy foxhounds may get sick sooner.

What Should an American Foxhound Eat?

The American foxhound should eat a balanced diet that incorporates carbs, proteins, and healthy fats. You can combine kibble and wet food for the best results, and it’s a good idea to feed your American foxhound twice daily. 

That said, if you adopt or purchase a puppy, you may need to feed them a diet of puppy food for medium-sized dogs that’s formulated for puppies. You may also need to feed them multiple times daily. As your American foxhound gets older, it’s not a bad idea to feed them less food, especially if it’s starting to gain weight.

Is an American Foxhound the Right Dog for Me?

Are you someone who loves to go on hiking adventures or for morning runs? Or do you enjoy a long walk every day? If so, the American foxhound is a great choice. Essentially, if you’re someone who has a decent-sized home, a backyard, and an active lifestyle, you can’t go wrong with the American foxhound.

On the other hand, if you have a smaller apartment, no access to local dog parks, and you’re not around enough to play with them for hours, an American foxhound may not be the right choice.