The American Foxhound is a cousin of the English foxhound. It can be traced back to the 1700s. George Washington played a significant role in the original development of the breed. He owned over 30 foxhounds. In later years, they were bred with the Irish Foxhound to improve their stamina and speed.
They are surprisingly not a popular breed in the US. They have a loud bark and bay that can be heard from far away. Training requires patience. They are very independent, scent driven dogs that will tend to wander. They need a fenced in yard. They are pack animals and can suffer from separation anxiety if they are not part of a pack and are left alone a lot. They also hunt best in packs. They are pretty rare as pets and are usually used in hunting organizations. There are not many breeders available and can be difficult to find. They generally don’t make good guard dogs as they aren’t alert to people. They will bark, but are more likely to bark at animals than humans. The American Foxhound is very easy to groom. They just need regular nail trims and will do fine with a weekly brush. Their ears do need to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection. Overall, they are fairly low maintenance dogs.
They are generally healthy dogs but can be prone to hip dysplasia and ear infections. These are generally not chronic problems. They can be prone to epilepsy. They have a lifespan of 10-12 years.
They come in 3 sizes – toy, miniature, and standard. They do take longer to mature than other breeds and will remain puppies for up to 2 years. They have a 2 layer coat that requires regular brushing. They actually do well in both hot and cold weather, as their undercoat will trap cold air and work like a natural air conditioner. They are extremely trainable and intelligent. They excel in agility and trick competitions. They are a great dog for first time dog owners. They do need daily exercise but will do fine in an apartment. They are happy and energetic, friendly, and they love snow.
These dogs are more likely to develop pulmonary histoplasmosis than other dogs. This is a chronic, non-contagious fungal infection that is caused by soil-dwelling fungi. It is unknown whether these dogs are genetically predisposed to become infected with this fungus, or if their environment and likelihood to be exposed to it are higher than other breeds.