American Foxhound pros and cons
Owning an American Foxhound has many pros and cons. Foxhounds are essentially hunting dogs that were used as the breed's name suggests as hounds to help locate foxes. American Foxhounds are usually friendly towards other dogs and can happily live in packs. This energetic breed needs an active owner who has the time and energy to take a Foxhound for long walks every day. Foxhounds require an owner who can be a calm leader who understands the dog's independent nature. Foxhounds who are raised with kids make good family companion dogs.
The cons of owning a Foxhound include the dog's independent temperament. Foxhounds can be difficult to train, especially for novice dog owners, which is one of the cons associated with this hunting breed. Foxhounds require a home with a large fenced yard, where the dog can run around and burn some energy. Active Foxhounds aren't recommended as apartment dogs - this breed is happiest living in a country setting, even on a farm, where the dog has more opportunities to spend energy and get enough physical activity during the day. Another reason why Foxhounds aren't suitable as apartment dogs is because of the loud howling that this breed is known for. Having a loud dog can be a disadvantage for living in the crowded city.
American Foxhound size
American Foxhound weight:
American Foxhound male weight: 29 - 34 kg (64 - 75 lb)
American Foxhound female weight: 27 - 30 kg (60 - 66 lb)
American Foxhound size:
American Foxhound male height: 58 - 71 cm (20 - 28 in)
American Foxhound female height: 58 - 71 cm (20 - 28 in)
American Foxhound coat: short and hard
American Foxhound colors: Black and Tan, Blue, Red, and White
The most popular color combination for American Foxhounds is black, white and tan.
How many puppies do American Foxhounds have?
American Foxhound litter size: up to 12 puppies
How long do American Foxhounds live on average?
American Foxhound life span is from 10 to 12 years
How much does an American Foxhound cost?
American Foxhound price starts at $300 and up, depending on many factors
American Foxhound vs English Foxhound
American Foxhound vs English Foxhound energy levels
Both, the American and English Foxhound require plenty of daily exercise. These active dogs aren't made for living in an apartment in a big city. American and English Foxhounds need enough space for a good run every day. A fenced yard is ideal.
American Foxhound compared to English Foxhound as family pets
American Foxhound and English Foxhound are good with kids, especially when socialized from a young age.
American Foxhound versus English Foxhound good with other dogs
American Foxhound and English Foxhound are pack dogs that get along with other dogs in the household and both enjoy the company of other dogs.
Difference between American Foxhound and English Foxhound grooming
Both, the American Foxhound and English Foxhound have short coat that needs daily brushing. The level of maintenance is very similar for both breeds. Shedding is similar for these dogs.
English Foxhound vs American Foxhound training
Because both of these are hunting breeds, they have a certain level of stubbornness in their character that makes training these dogs more challenging. That doesn't mean that English or American Foxhound is untrainable. With positive reinforcement you can achieve good training results with either of the two breeds.
American Foxhound temperament
The American Foxhound breed is a scent hound, that was originally used to hunt foxes. Like many hounds, American Foxhound has an independent temperament. This personality trait serves an important purpose during hunting when the dog needs to make independent decisions based on a situation. The breed is famous for its loudness that can be heard for miles. American Foxhound is not an ideal dog for living in an apartment because of the dog's tendency to howl loudly. The howling sound that the American Foxhound makes is called baying. The American dog breed fits perfectly for a life on a farm or in rural areas, where the active dog can get plenty of exercise. American Foxhound is a great runner and can be your running partner. Active American Foxhound needs from one to two hours of exercise daily. If you are keeping your American Foxhound in an apartment, be sure to provide adequate exercise as the energetic dog may get destructive or depressed with a lack of sufficient exercise.
Unmotivated barking may also become an issue for an American Foxhound that does not get enough physical activity. Keep the dog in a fenced-in yard as the scent hound may accidentally run away by chasing a scent. Socialize your American Foxhound early, especially if there are children or animals at home. Fetch is among the favorite games for your American Foxhound. This breed does great in a pack and does not like living alone. He can be a great addition to a family with other dogs as American Foxhound's temperament is very sociable and the dog will enjoy interacting with other dogs. Insufficient socialization during puppyhood can result in the dog being timid with strangers. Introduce the American Foxhound puppy to various situations and people of all ages to raise a confident dog. This breed is not recommended for guarding purposes.
American Foxhound puppies
If you are getting an American Foxhound puppy from a breeder, be sure to learn as much as you can about the health history of your puppy and his parents. Meet the parents of the puppy as puppies tend to resemble their parents both physically and in terms of personality as the puppy matures. Learn as much as you can about this breed, talk to other owners of American Foxhounds and find out as much as you can from your breeder about this wonderful breed and you will be equipped with the knowledge that will help you to raise a happy and loyal friend for life.
Find out from the breeder about the diet that they are providing for the puppy so that you can continue feeding the puppy the diet that the dog is used to. If you are interested in adopting a Foxhound puppy or adult dog, get in touch with your local dog rescue center and see if there are any Foxhounds available for adoption. Plenty of these wonderful dogs end up in dog rescue centers due to no fault of their own.
American Foxhound training
American Foxhound is not the easiest breed to train due to the dog's independent nature. Starting dog training at a young age and staying consistent and patient will help you to achieve your training goals with the American Foxhound. Be sure to have your American Foxhound trained to follow all the basic obedience commands. Positive reinforcement and patience are your best friends when you are training your American Foxhound.
Potty training should begin as soon as you bring the dog home. Be on the lookout for potty readiness signs that include the dog walking around in circles and sniffing the floor. Immediately take the American Foxhound to the designated dog potty area and let the dog answer the nature's call there. Have a treat handy and as soon as the dog is done, give him a treat to reward his good behavior. Some American Foxhound owners choose to have a command word for potty training and you may say something like "Go Potty!" as the dog is busy using the toilet. The dog will associate the command with going to potty, which will make your life easier. Accidents are bound to happen during potty training - the best approach to accidents is to ignore them completely. Clean up the mess and be on the lookout for potty readiness signs. Do not punish the dog for accidents, as this will only create more confusion and slow down the potty training process.
Dogs are den-living animals and crate training may benefit you and your dog. When used in a responsible manner, crates can be very useful for dogs and their owners. A crate provides the dog with a safe environment that he can use as his den. Crate trained dogs often prefer to sleep in their crate and bring their favorite toys and treats to the crate, where they can enjoy the treat in the peaceful environment. Crates are also very useful for traveling - the dog is safer in a crate and he is traveling in a familiar environment, which helps to reduce his stress level associated with being transported. There are some important rules to follow as you are crate training your American Foxhound. When you bring the new crate home, keep the crate open and place it where the dog normally sleeps and where you are planning to keep the crate permanently. The dog needs to get used to the new object and you can place some dog treats inside the crate to encourage the dog to explore the new environment. Do not close the crate door for the first few days, until the dog is fully comfortable using his durable dog crate. Put dog bed inside the crate to make it comfortable and periodically place some treats inside to encourage the dog spend some time in the crate. Do not give the dog any treats as he is coming out of the crate because the dog will think that he is being rewarded for coming out of the crate. Instead, leave treats inside the crate so that he can get rewarded for getting inside the crate. When the American Foxhound is comfortable spending time in the crate, you can start training him to be in the crate with the crate doors closed. When the dog is inside the crate, close the crate door for a few seconds and if the dog is quiet, open the door and let the dog freely come out. If the dog begins whining the moment you closed the crate door, wait for him to stop whining - even if it's just a second when he is not whining and only then open the door and let him out. The idea is that the dog should not learn to use whining as a way of coming out of the crate. Have multiple short (3 to 5 minutes long) crate training sessions with your dog until he is fully comfortable spending some time in the crate. Never use the crate as a way to punish the dog. Never leave the dog locked in the crate for more than a couple of hours. Always tire out your dog by walking before you place him in the crate. Crate should be large enough for the dog to stand full height and to easily turn around. American Foxhound should be able to stretch out as he is sleeping in a crate. Crate shouldn't be too big as the dog may be more inclined to use the crate as his toilet if the crate is too big.
American Foxhound grooming
The American Foxhound has a rough coat to provide the dog with a better protection from branches and sticks when hunting in the field. Keep American Foxhound's coat in great condition by regularly brushing it with a soft brush or a brushing glove. Short haired dogs like the American Foxhound are easier in terms of coat maintenance, but still require frequent brushing to manage their relatively light shedding.
Ear infections are common for dogs with long and hanging ears such as the American Foxhound and if you notice any discomfort associated with the American Foxhound's ears immediately consult with your veterinarian. Dry your American Foxhound's ears with a clean, soft towel after bath or swimming to minimize possibility of ear infections. Using ear wipes for dogs regularly helps to keep dog's ears clean. Floppy eared dogs such as American Foxhounds have higher chances of developing ear infections. The hanging ears restrict ear circulation around the dog's ear area, thus increasing the chances of bacterial growth, which explains higher incidents of ear infections for breeds such as the American Foxhound.
Start brushing your American Foxhound's teeth at an early age so that the dog is accustomed to the procedure. Regular brushing helps to remove plaque and to maintain healthy teeth. Provide the dog with dental treats for large breeds that will help to keep American Foxhound's teeth clean. Canine toothpaste is safe for dogs to swallow and it has a flavor that dogs tend to enjoy. Human toothpaste should never be used for dogs as it is not safe for a dog to swallow and may cause irritation or upset stomach for your pet. Dogs are unable to swallow and human toothpaste contains ingredients that may be unsafe for your dog's health. Use a dog toothpaste. A soft children's toothbrush or a long-handled toothbrush for dogs will work fine.
Trim American Foxhound's nails as needed. Use a nail clipper for large breeds and trim the dog's nails once every 6 weeks or as soon as you can hear the clicking sound made on hard surfaces by your American Foxhound's nails.
Healthy diet is important for dogs of all breeds, including the American Foxhound. Feed your American Foxhound a high quality, age-appropriate diet. Do not feed your pet human food. Good nutrition keeps your dog healthy inside and good looking on the outside. Keep your pet in healthy weight to avoid health issues associated with extra weight.
American Foxhound health issues
Health issues in American Foxhound include ear infections. The shape of the ears predisposes the breed to more incidents of ear infections as there's less air ventilation around the ear area which creates favorable conditions for bacterial growth. If you notice any signs of ear infection such as scratching or shaking the head, ears seem painful to the touch, etc. take the dog to the veterinarian. Arthritis is another disease that American Foxhounds are predisposed to due to the large breed size. Arthritis can cause more pain in bigger dog breeds. Watch your dog's weight as heavier dogs have higher chances of getting arthritis. A soft and comfortable orthopedic dog bed can provide a good rest to your American Foxhound. Dog beds with removable and washable cover are more practical and easier to keep clean.
American Foxhounds can also suffer from bladder or kidney stones, thyroid issues, cancer and bleeding disorders.
American Foxhound origin
American Foxhound country of origin is the United States. The American Foxhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886. American Foxhounds are closely related to the English Foxhound breed. This breed was developed to hunt foxes by scent. Robert Brooke who brought his pack of hunting dogs to Crown Colony in North America from England in 1650s is credited with bringing the very ancestors of the modern day American Foxhound breed. The Brooke family kept these dogs for nearly 300 years and after the dogs were crossed with the French hounds, the American Foxhound breed was created.
George Washington was among the best known fanciers of the breed.
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