The American foxhound is a majestic hunting dog, taking the best of the English foxhound's attributes and refining it into a lean, mean hunting machine to race over the rolling hills and valleys of Virginia. The American foxhound – like the country itself – owes its development in no small part to George Washington, who had a particular penchant for breeding this athletic hound.
Three hundred years later, the American foxhound is probably little changed from the early prototype. It is still used for hunting in various states – particularly in Maryland and Virginia. Bred to hunt in groups, the American foxhound is first and foremost a pack animal, and cherishes company, both human and canine.
However, although they are fairly rare in the domestic context, their sweet, mild-mannered nature means they can make a wonderful family pet – with one major proviso: that they have plenty of space, tons of exercise, and owners who are prepared to give them abundant mental and physical stimulation with some of the best dog toys.
Let’s find out more about the fabulous American foxhound.
32 facts about American Foxhound dogs
1. Scent hounds
There are two types of hounds, sight hounds and scent hounds, and the American foxhounds fit into the latter category. This means they hunt – and even seem to think – with their noses rather than their eyes, and have a sharp sense of smell. They can follow a scent across water, and for up to 24 hours after the scent is laid, depending on weather conditions.
2. A presidential favorite
Founding father George Washington was a huge fan and avid breeder of the early American foxhound in the 18th century, owning some 36! One of the first US president’s favorites was called Sweet Lips, while others included Venus, Truelove, Tipsy, Tippler, and Drunkard.
3. Better than British?
The American foxhound is said by some to be the perfection of the English foxhounds which was brought across the Atlantic by settlers. George Washington, among others, is credited with improving the imported foxhounds, introducing more speed with French and Irish bloodlines. The result was a taller, swifter, more agile hound.
4. An unpopular breed
The American foxhound is listed as one of the most unpopular dog breeds in the US, on the basis of how many puppies are registered annually. However, this is likely to be a skewed statistic, as while they are not common as domestic pets, they are still popular as hunting dogs and are more likely to be logged with the breed registry than with the American Kennel Club.
5. Crave company
American foxhounds, like most hunting hounds, are pack animals. They thrive in a herd, tend to get on really well with most other dogs, and don’t flourish left alone. They are a great fit for a multi-dog household, or for those who love to take their dog on adventures in the company with other dog-owning friends. They are one of the dog breeds most likely to have separation anxiety.
Not for them hours spent home alone – but then which dog does enjoy that life?
6. Natural athletes
The American foxhound was bred to work, and they are naturally agile, swift and blessed with oodles of stamina. They can run for hours, over any terrain and in any weather.
Conformationally speaking, they have a deep chest for lung and heart space and a strong, muscular physique that is built for athleticism.
7. Four types
There are four types of American foxhound: field trial, slow-trailing, drag, and pack hounds. Each would have a different role as a hunting hound, and within each type there are different strains with different names.
8. A coat fit for purpose
Their coats are short, dense, and smooth, making them hard to penetrate. This gives them protection not only against the elements, but from thorns, gorse, and other prickles either attaching to the coat or piercing the skin. Foxhounds don’t tend to come out of a thicket looking like the proverbial “dragged through a hedge backwards”, but emerge unscathed, ready for more hunting!
9. Several strains
Within the four different types of American foxhounds, there are several strains, which all look slightly different but are recognized as the same breed. This is because they were bred to suit certain hunting styles and quarry. The strains include Walker, Calhound, Goodman, Trigg, July, and Penn-Marydel. Most of the show hounds are of the Walker strain.
10. Super swimmers
This is a dog breed that was made for swimming! Although they were bred to hunt on land, American foxhounds are typically natural swimmers. Thanks to their athleticism and stamina, swimming comes easily to them – and it’s a great way to allow them to burn off their bottomless energy reserves.
11. Music to your ears
A foxhound doesn’t bark, it sings! The noise that hounds make when they are pursuing quarry is known as hound music – ringing out across the valleys in an impressive baying sound. Best enjoyed outdoors where the full chorus can blast at maximum volume without maddening the neighbors.
12. Innate prey drive
Once a foxhound is on to a scent, there is very little you can do to distract him. They are hardwired to chase prey. For this reason, your recall training must be superb, and it’s best to keep American foxhounds on a leash until you are confident that they are more attuned to you than to whatever scent they may pick up.
13. Big litters
On average an American foxhound bitch is likely to have a litter of around five to seven puppies. However, an American foxhound once held the Guinness World Record for giving birth to 23 healthy pups, in 1944.
14. Equine partners
American foxhounds – in common with all their foxhound cousins – have been bred to work closely alongside horses to pursue foxes (or the equivalent, for example the “clean boot” in countries where hunting is prohibited). They are a fast, athletic scent hound, and have no trouble in leading a group of horses in pursuit of their prey.
15. A kaleidoscope of many colors
American foxhounds have a striking and distinctive coat color, typically made up of varied patches of black, white, and tan as the breed standard. However, they come in other colors too, including blue and red, ticking, solid, bicolor and tricolor – and no color is outlawed.
16. A voice that carries for miles
You may not be popular with the neighbors if you own an American foxhound because they have an extremely loud voice. Bear in mind that when hounds “speak” or “bay’, as their bark is correctly termed, they are bred to communicate not only to the other canine members of the pack but the huntsman and other humans behind them, who may be some distance away, obscured by fog or other inclement hazards.
But while they are vocal, they aren’t typically nuisance barkers, just loud ones.
17. America’s oldest breed
American foxhounds are one of the oldest breeds in the US – if not the oldest. They were recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club in 1886, the year the club opened its first offices. But their history goes back even further, to the founding fathers of America, as they were developed from the English foxhounds brought over in 1650 by Robert Brooke.
18. Lifespan
If you want to know how long dogs live, you'll be happy to know that for a large dog, the American foxhound has a decent lifespan of 10–13 years, which is more akin to a smaller dog, as larger breeds tend to have shorter lives.
19. Impressive endurance
Never try to outlast an American foxhound! They are bred to run alongside horses, covering many miles in a day – their stamina knows no bounds. As such, they need plenty of vigorous exercise to keep them mentally and physically content.
20. Low-droolers
Some other scent hounds, such as the bloodhound, are heavy droolers, but the American foxhound rarely drools. Ideal for neat freaks, as not everyone can cope with large amounts of slobber on their clothes or furniture. The American foxhound has a clean, tight muzzle, without excessive jowls and dewlaps, so there are no easy pockets for saliva to collect.
21. Height
American foxhounds are tall – leggier than their English cousins. The males stand 22-25in and the females not much less at 21-24in. Anything over 24in is considered a large dog, so this breed is on the cusp.
22. Easy care
American foxhounds aren’t low-maintenance in all departments but at least their grooming needs are minimal. Their short dense coat is low-shedding, rarely requires much brushing, and even more rarely a bath.
23. Weight
The American foxhound weighs in at an average 65lb, making them on the light side for their height, as they are quite leggy and extremely athletic. The females tend to be slightly lighter than the males, but the overall difference is no more than 10lb. A 70lb dog is considered a large breed, and only the heaviest of the American foxhounds will reach this weight.
But bear in mind they tend to love food, so a bit of portion control is required to keep them trim.
24. Exercise addicts
Due to being bred to pursue prey over long distances, over many hours, and in company with much longer-legged animals – horses – the American foxhound is hardwired to thrive on plenty of exercise. If they don’t get enough activity, they’ll let you know about it. Keep them busy with at least two decent walks a day, and canine sports are ideal as an outlet for all that energy.
25. Good with kids
Although this is a hound bred to chase prey, they tend to be gentle and delightful with children. Perhaps they feel that kids are part of their pack, as they are a natural herd animal. They tend to be soft and kind, and many American foxhound owners report their toddler learning to walk with a hand on the dog’s back.
26. Independent streak
You don’t get to be a rugged, tenacious hunter without having something of an independent streak. While American foxhounds work brilliantly in packs, when they are left to their own devices they sometimes like to call the shots. They aren’t always the easiest to house-train or teach recall, so patient perseverance is required.
27. Official state dog
The American Foxhound was developed in the states of Maryland and Virginia, and the latter adopted it as their official state dog in 1966. Thirteen US states have a designated official state dog breed, which tends to reflect one closely affiliated with that area.
28. Movie stars
The breed has featured in several movies, most notably The Fox and the Hound, which was released in 1981. The American foxhound also took center stage in Hounds of Loyalty and Tales of the Hunt, as well as Annie, Voice of Bugle Anne and Murder She Purred.
29. English origins
American by name, but English by origin. The American foxhound is descended – and arguably refined – from the English foxhounds that came over with settlers back in the 17th century.
30. Destructive tendencies
Foxhounds need plenty of stimulation, physical and mental. If they are left to their own devices for too long, without company or exercise, they can take matters into their own paws in terms of finding entertainment. They may tear up soft furnishings, and children’s toys, gnaw on a table leg, or start baying for attention – best to keep them busy with one of the best dog puzzle toys they don’t have the time for such distractions.
31. Docile demeanor
They might be more of a pack hound than a pet, but the American foxhound has a naturally sweet demeanor. They are docile and loving, and will smother you with affection given half a chance. They are typically good-natured both with people and other dogs, sometimes even cats.
32. A healthy breed
American foxhounds are considered to be one of the healthier canine breeds with a decent lifespan for their size. All dogs can suffer from medical issues from time to time, but overall this is a robust breed that will thrive on a good diet, excellent care, and healthy lifestyle.
