American Foxhound
A tall, lean American scent hound with a ringing voice, bred to run with a pack for hours and easygoing with other dogs.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 56–64 cm · Females 53–61 cm
- Weight
- Males 29–34 kg · Females 27–32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–13 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Most colours, Tricolour, Bicolour
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- United States
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 303 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 3/5 – Moderate |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 5/5 – Very high |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 2/5 – Low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- live rurally or have a large, securely fenced garden
- already have or want a second dog
- enjoy long walks, hikes or hound activities
Think twice if you …
- live in a flat or have close neighbours sensitive to noise
- want a dog that stays close off lead
- are away from home most of the day
Care
Temperament
Friendly, mild-mannered and usually relaxed with people and dogs. Once on a scent it becomes single-minded and can seem deaf to calls. It does best with company, ideally another dog.
Exercise
Needs long daily outings and regular chances to run in safe, enclosed areas. Trailing games, scent work, hiking and canicross suit it well.
Grooming
The short, hard coat needs only a weekly brush and the occasional bath. Check the long ears regularly and keep nails short.
Training
Responds to patient, reward-based training but is independent and easily distracted by smells. A reliable recall is hard to achieve, so keep it on lead in open country.
Health
A generally robust hound; hip dysplasia and a bleeding disorder known as thrombopathia have been reported in the breed. Ask the breeder for hip and eye results of the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The American Foxhound grew out of English hounds brought to the colonies in the 1600s, later mixed with French and Irish hounds to suit rough terrain and long chases. Different lines were shaped for field trials, night hunting and pack work, so type varies more than in many breeds.
At home it is gentle and sociable, especially with other dogs, but it was bred to follow a scent across country, not to stay close to a handler. Expect a strong urge to roam, a loud baying voice and a need for lots of running. It suits rural homes, secure fencing and owners who enjoy long outings.
Did you know?
George Washington kept and bred foxhounds at Mount Vernon, and his dogs are counted among the breed's early ancestors.