American Foxhound

If you’re thinking of adding a Foxhound to your family, here’s what you need to know. These American-bred dogs are some of the oldest around but aren’t as well known as other breeds. You’ll find them most often on the East Coast or down South, where they usually serve as part of a hunting pack for foxhunting clubs. They make great Companions and are easy to train – just be prepared for lots of exercise!

Foxhounds are bred for one thing: running. If you’re looking for a low-energy dog that cuddles on the couch all day, this isn’t the breed for you. A Foxhound needs daily activity to stay happy and healthy, or he will become destructive out of boredom. They’re also known for being noisy, with a loud bay that can carry long distances. For these reasons, it’s best if they live in rural environments rather than cities.

Make sure to take him on walks or runs with a leash, unless you’re in an open and safe space. If not, he’ll run off as soon as he smells something good–at a speed you can’t keep up with. He’ll need a fence around his yard that’s secure enough so that doesn’t go exploring by himself. An underground electric fence won’t work because the desire to hunt will overpower any fear of being shocked for this dog breed.

Foxhounds are gentle and friendly, particularly with kids. With strangers, his temperament depends on how he was raised – some foxhounds are reserved while others can be protective. If he’s been around them since he was a pup, chances are good that he’ll get along fine with cats and other small animals. But it’s always best to use your common sense – don’t leave them unsupervised together unless you’re sure they really like each other. Foxhounds love the company of other dogs since they’re pack animals by nature, so a home where he won’t be the only four-legged friend is ideal.

The Foxhound is intelligent and obstinate, but if you start training early enough and show him what behaviors you approve of, he can be taught. Firm yet fair leadership reinforced with food rewards is the key to gaining his cooperation. It would be beneficial for both you and your dog to attend an obedience class where a trainer could teach you how best to establish yourself as leader of the pack. If you’ve adopted an older Foxhound or one who was previously living in a pack rather than a home, then know that it will take even more effort on your part to train him.

Foxhounds are often thought of as being outdoor dogs, but that is false. They much prefer the company of humans to being alone and will become sad without companionship. Though they need a place to run around, like a backyard with a fence, they should generally be indoors with the family when possible.

Foxhounds have short coats that are easy to take care of–they only need to be brushed or wiped down once a week. The only other grooming they require is regular nail trimming and tooth brushing, and check the ears weekly and clean them as needed to prevent ear infections.

The American Foxhound is a rare breed, so if you are planning on getting one, start your search early. You may have to wait six months or more for the right puppy to become available. Or, consider an adult dog from a shelter or a rescue group. Given that a Foxhound has a lifespan of 15 years, an adult dog will remain part of your family for quite some time.