History

Believed to be the direct descendants of English hounds, the American foxhounds were brought to America in 1650 and bred over a century later to a French hound, sent as a gift by Lafayette to George Washington. Thus, it is a mix between the two breeds, French and English. Due to their excellent smell-detection and quick chasing skills, the American foxhounds were widely considered as efficient and untiring hunters of wild animals.

Appearance

These tall, light-colored breed has a keen sense of smell, and are fast chasers. They have long straight-boned front legs. The slightly domed, large skull, structured by a long head is its typical feature. The foxhound’s ears are broad and pendant, framing the face and they have large, wide-set, brown/hazel colored eyes with a sweet, imploring expression. It carries its tail cheerfully with a slight upward curve, like a sickle. The short, hard coat may be of any color.

Color

Any colour is acceptable in this breed, but most are pie-balled with a splotch of black on the back and white legs accented with tan on the trunk.

Personality

The American foxhound is a sweet, affectionate and gentle breed, but more so, a brave and intense warrior in the hunt. Hence, they are better off as outdoor kennel hounds than as house pets. They are generally good to children but hostile to pets. Foxhounds get along well with other dogs because of their pack-hunting background. This friendly and protective breed is good at tracking scent. The melodious bark is another of their unique features.

Health Concerns

The American foxhounds have an average life expectancy of 10-12 years. This fairly healthy breed is free of many genetic diseases and hip/bone problems, but call for a great deal of exercise. Obesity is common in these and therefore overfeeding should be avoided

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR