Introduction
The American Foxhound is a breed of dog from the Hound Group. These dogs are well known for their ability to track a scent and their extremely friendly and affable personality. There are different types of American Foxhounds such as the Goodman, the July, the Penn-Marydel, the Trigg, and the Walker, and in recent years there has been an effort in creating a more standard type of American Foxhound.
Temperament
The personality of the American Foxhound is one of companionable friendliness. They are so friendly in fact that they do not make very good watchdogs, and they are more likely to welcome strangers into the home instead of guarding the home. These are wonderful family dogs, they play well with young children and other animals, but due to their larger size they should be supervised around small children.
While they have an open and friendly personality, they are also somewhat independent, and they can be difficult to train, but early socialization and training for these dogs will yield good results.
American Foxhounds are extremely high energy and intelligent dogs. They need plenty of space to run and roam, daily walks, and they should not be kept indoors by themselves for long periods of time. If they are left alone and become bored, they can become destructive. They will also focus so intently on a scent when tracking that they are not aware of their surroundings, and if they are left to roam by themselves, or without a leash, they can get into trouble.
Health
The American Foxhound's lifespan is generally 10 to 12 years. They do not carry many genetic disorders, though overfeeding can easily lead to obesity. Presently, it is not typical or customary for Foxhound breeders to screen for any hereditary disorders.
History
These Foxhounds come from a line of Hounds that were transported to America in the 1600’s, and from a line of French Foxhounds that were given to George Washington. In later years Irish Foxhounds were added to the mix. The breed was developed specifically for the purpose of trial (competition) hounds, fox hounds, pack hounds, and drag hounds which are prized for their speed.
American Foxhound
Quick Facts
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Weight: 65-75 lbs
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Height: 21-25 in
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Coat: Short, hard
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Temperament: Sweet, affectionate, gentle, loving
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Lifespan: 10-12 years