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American Foxhound Temperament Info You Can’t Ignore

The American Foxhound Temperament is independent, energetic and even-tempered. The breed dates back to the American Revolutionary War. As their name suggests, these dogs hunted foxes on the estates of American statesmen such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

6 American Foxhound Temperament and Personality Traits to Know

Before you add an American Foxhound to your household, research the breed thoroughly to make sure that it will be a good fit for your lifestyle. Here are six personality characteristics to keep in mind about the American Foxhound:

1. They’re Active Hunting Dogs

These dogs’ purpose was to pursue their prey for long distances over rough terrain.

Therefore, they need an outlet for their energy, or they can become bored and destructive. They are also incredibly intelligent, so you will have to engage them in activities that work their minds as much as their bodies.

American Foxhounds make excellent companions for jogging, hiking, camping, hunting, or romping with other dogs.

2. They’re Sociable Animals

American Foxhounds traditionally to live and hunt in packs.

They sometimes live with dozens or even hundreds of other hounds and thrive with social contact.

They also do very well in multi-dog households.

If you own only one American Foxhound, you will need to spend a lot of time with him or her.

You may also need to invest in doggie daycare if you are away from the house for long periods of time. This breed can become depressed when they are kept in isolation.

3. They’re Quite Vocal

Many people consider their “baying” to be beautiful and musical. However, if you do not care for canine vocalizations, this breed is not for you. Because of their vocal tendencies, American Foxhounds are not ideal for apartment complexes.

4. They’re Independent

Like most pack hunters, American Foxhounds follow their noses and make their own decisions. Because of this, some owners describe them as stubborn and/or difficult.

5. They Can Be Escape Artists

When they catch an interesting scent, they will stop at nothing to follow the trail! They have been known to scale fences or dig holes in order to track down an interesting smell.

6. They are Great Family Dogs

If you socialize them properly, American Foxhounds have very sweet temperaments and make excellent companions for children and loving family dogs.

The American Foxhound Size and Appearance

American Foxhounds are tall and muscular. They stand between 21 to 24 inches tall for females and between 22 to 25 inches tall for males, and they weigh between 60-70 lbs.

They have long droopy ears and large “puppy dog” eyes.

They come in a wide variety of colors, but the classic look is tricolor with a black saddle.

A Brief History of the American Foxhound

American Foxhounds are one of America’s first native breeds, and today they are the state dog of Virginia.

In the early 1700s, smaller English Foxhounds were brought to the colonies to carry on the tradition of fox hunting in the “New World.”

While in America, breeders crossed English Foxhounds with other hounds to increase their size and speed.

Today, modern American Foxhounds look like larger, taller versions of their English cousins.

American Foxhounds also resemble larger versions of the Beagle and Harrier, which are smaller members of the hound group.

Size and Appearance

American Foxhounds are tall and muscular and weigh between 60-70 lbs.

They have long droopy ears and large “puppy dog” eyes.

They come in a wide variety of colors, but the classic look is tricolor with a black saddle.

How Do You Train an American Foxhound?

Because they are independent thinkers, training your American Foxhound requires patience and an upbeat attitude. Use positive reinforcement methods and never use physical reprimands to punish your dog.

If possible, enroll in an obedience class to work with a positive reinforcement trainer in your area.

Once your American Foxhound has been through a basic obedience class, be sure to check out other canine activities such as nosework competitions.

Even after they are fully trained, American Foxhounds should not be off-leash in open areas. They can follow their nose into traffic or they can wander after a scent and become lost.

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How Do You Groom an American Foxhound?

The coat of the American Foxhound is short and low maintenance. Weekly brushing and occasional bathing will suffice.

Despite having a shorter coat, this breed sheds a surprising amount. You can keep the amount low by brushing him regularly.

Don’t forget to check and clean their long, floppy ears regularly. You can also check out this guide for step-by-step grooming tips.

Hypoallergenic?

Because the American Foxhound does shed a lot, he is not what you might consider a “hypoallergenic” dog.

In other words, if dogs give you allergies, then there are still dogs out there that you can bring home and remain relatively symptom-free. This breed is not one of those.

American Foxhound Health Issues and Lifespan

American Foxhounds generally live between 10-12 years. They are a healthy breed, but it is important to maintain regular veterinary care.

Monthly heartworm preventative is a must. This is especially crucial for this breed since they tend to spend a great deal of time outdoors.

American Foxhounds may develop the following health conditions, so be sure to talk about these with a vet:

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Exercise

American Foxhounds are hunters through and through, and as hunters, they have incredible perseverance and an ability to pursue prey for hours at a time.

When it comes to exercise, this means that he needs at least an hour or two every day or you risk him becoming bored. Bored dogs are destructive dogs, so you want to avoid this whenever possible.

If your concern is whether he’d be a good apartment dog, so long as you can give him the exercise he requires, then he’ll be fine with apartment living.

This breed is happiest when he is home with his family, but his second-favorite thing to do is to join his family for a long day of walking or hiking.

Just be sure to keep him on a leash so that he doesn’t follow his nose after anything that even remotely smells like prey.

And don’t forget to exercise his mind, too. Canine sports are great for challenging both the dog’s body and his brain.

American Foxhound Rescue and Adoption

American Foxhounds are prevalent in shelters.

If you are thinking of adding an American Foxhound to your family, please make adoption your first option.

There is no shortage of homeless Foxhounds in this country, especially in rural shelters.

For your first step, call your local animal shelter or humane society. Talk to the staff and let them know that you are looking for an American Foxhound or American Foxhound mix.

Ask if they have a waiting list for this breed. Also let them know if you would be open to other hound mixes such as Beagles, Harriers or English Foxhounds.

If you are open to similar breeds, you may find a match more quickly.

Using the Internet/Social Media to Find Your Soulmate

Visit adoption websites such as Petfinder, AdoptaPet and Get Your Pet.

There are countless Foxhound Rescue organizations and Hound Rescues around the United States.

Simply go to a search engine such as Google and type in the name of your state plus “Foxhound Rescue” to find the closest rescue groups.

There is a very active Facebook group called Hound Networking Group that you can join to see urgent hounds needing homes from various rescue organizations around the country.

All Hounds Rescue NetworkCoonhound Highway and Southern Hounds Rescue Network are additional networking sites for homeless hounds. You will find adult dogs as well as puppies posted on these sites.

How Much Does It Cost to Adopt an American Foxhound Puppy?

The cost of adopting an American Foxhound depends on the individual organization. Adoption fees usually run between $75-$150.

American Foxhounds that you can acquire through rescue organizations usually come spayed/neutered and vetted.

Buying an American Foxhound Puppy from a Breeder

If you opt to purchase an American Foxhound puppy from a breeder, you will need to invest substantial time and energy to make sure that your new pet comes from a reputable source.

Do not order a puppy over the internet. Avoid pet stores as well. These puppies may come from unscrupulous breeding operations called puppy mills.

The dogs from these breeding factories are frequently sick and full of genetic abnormalities due to irresponsible breeding practices.

Instead, contact the national American Foxhound club and ask for referrals for reputable breeders in your part of the country.

When you find a potential breeder, ask to visit the location in person. Look for signs of uncleanliness and any inhumane treatment of dogs

Also, ask to view medical records for the breeding animals.

If the breeder does not welcome you onto the property, this is a warning sign.

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How Much is an American Foxhound Puppy for Sale?

The price of American Foxhound puppies for sale varies from breeder to breeder.

The cost of an American Foxhound puppy can range from $400 to over $1000, or even higher for show-quality bloodlines.

American Foxhound vs English Foxhound

English Foxhounds, American Foxhounds – what’s the difference? Well, the answer is a good deal!

Let’s look at some of the main differences that separate the American Foxhound from the English Foxhound.

Temperaments

As far as the difference in temperaments between these two breeds, the more loving of the two is, without question, the English Foxhound.

They are pure, kind-hearted animals who love the next dog they see as much as they love the next human. They have a devotion and close connection to their owners that is unmatched.

Don’t let them fool you, though. If the English Foxhound becomes bored, just like the American Foxhound he will try to think up any means of entertaining himself, including thinking up ways to escape the yard. He loves you, yes, but he hates boredom even more.

However, if you are looking for the better hunting dog, the American Foxhound is your guy. While these two breeds are both natural hunters at heart, the American Foxhound has the edge over the English Foxhound. He’s quicker than the English Foxhound and more agile.

Appearance

Both breeds are similar in size and appearance. They both average weight of between 67.5 and 70 lbs., and they’re both, on average, between 21 to 25 inches tall.

Their coats are slightly different, though. The American Foxhound has a rough coat, while the English Foxhound’s coat is dense.

Also, the English Foxhound comes in fewer colors than the American Foxhound. While they both come in white, tan, or black, the English Foxhound also comes in lemon, and the American Foxhound also comes in brown, red, or blue.

Price

Here’s a surprising fact, but one that could definitely influence your decision when it comes to selecting a dog breed: the American Foxhound is actually hundreds of dollars less to purchase than is an English Foxhound.

On average, the American Foxhound will run you between $400 to $600, whereas the English Foxhound can cost anywhere between $800 to $1,200.

American Foxhound Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the American Foxhound.

Do American Foxhounds like to swim?

Yes, actually! They typically learn to swim around the same time they learn to socialize.

Are American Foxhounds good with cats?

You always want to be careful with a breed that is a hunter by nature, as they will usually chase after any small animal they may identify as prey. That said, they can get along with cats, so long as you raise them together.

Do American Foxhounds bark a lot?

Hounds of all kinds have the unique ability of “baying,” which is a kind of combination of howl/bark.

So long as you train him to use his bark for good, the American Foxhound’s barking should not become a nuisance. However, if you don’t enjoy the sound of baying, or if it gets on your nerves, perhaps consider a different breed.

Conclusion: Why the American Foxhound?

If you are looking for an energetic companion with an all-around great temperament, the American Foxhound temperament might just make this breed the dog for you!

Prospective owners should research the breed thoroughly to make sure that the American Foxhound temperament is a good match for their lifestyle.