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American Foxhound Information & Dog Breed Facts

Collection of all the general dog breed info about American Foxhound so you can get to know the breed more.

Group Hunting Dogs
Popularity Rank187
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American Foxhound dog profile picture
OriginUnited States flagUnited States
Breed Type
What type of dog breed is it?
Purebred

American Foxhound Size and Weight

Size
Is an American Foxhound small, medium or large dog?

How big do American Foxhound get?

What is the average size of an American Foxhound?

Large
Weight
How much does the American Foxhound weigh? How much should an American Foxhound weight? What is the normal weight of an American Foxhound? How much does a full-grown American Foxhound weight?
65-75 pounds (29-34 kg)
Average Weight
What is the average weight of an American Foxhound?
70 pounds (31.5 kg)
Height
How tall is the American Foxhound? American Foxhound height:
21-25 inches (53-64 cm)
Average Height
What is the average height of an American Foxhound?
23 inches (58.5 cm)

American Foxhound Price and Availability

Price
How much does the American Foxhound puppy cost? What is the price range of this puppy? What is the average price of an American Foxhound in the United States? How much money is an American Foxhound?

Where to buy an American Foxhound with a good pedigree?

$400-$600
If you choose to purchase the American Foxhound, you should know that the mentioned amount of money is an average of the collected data from breeders’ sites and puppy finder places. If you have a American Foxhound for sale, please advertise it on a reliable website to make sure the American Foxhound gets to a happy place.
Availability
How easy is it to get a American Foxhound? How many American Foxhound are there in the world?
Frequent: The American Foxhound is easier than average to get. Maybe there is some risk of overbreeding, as it is a popular breed.

Due to its popularity, inbreeding may occur. A new study shows that inbreeding contributes to the incidence of disease and health problems.

So be careful and seek the help of an experienced person or a professional, in making your decision.

American Foxhound Trainability and Intelligence

Intelligent Rank
How smart is the American Foxhound? Is the American Foxhound breed dumb or smart?
Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. They understand and remember new commands after an average of 25-40 repetitions.

The American Foxhound ranks average in the intelligence ranking of dogs.

Trainability
Are American Foxhound dogs easy to train? Do they go well on dog training? How hard is it to train an American Foxhound?
American Foxhound dogs are easy to train. They find out the association between commands and actions quite quickly.
Watchdog Ability
Is American Foxhound good as a watchdog? Are they alert at night?
American Foxhound dogs are not the best watchdogs. They aren't very territorial and protective about their property, so they probably won't alert you if they sense something different.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial
Do American Foxhound dogs have aggressive behavior to protect their home/house/territory? Do they have guarding instincts?
American Foxhound dogs can't provide protection for their territory. It's better to leave them out of the duty of protecting your valuables and property.

American Foxhound Personality and Temperament

Temperament
What kind of personality does the American Foxhound have? What characteristics or traits does the breed have?
LovingIndependentIntelligentLoyalTemperedKindSweet
Sensitivity Level
How sensitive are they? American Foxhound sensitivity:
American Foxhound dogs are less sensitive than other dog breeds. They aren't receptive to their owner's emotions and handle soft punishment quite well.

They don't mind an always changing daily routine, a hectic household, young children, a noisy or office environment, and frequent guest visits.

Affection Level
How affectionate are they? Is an American Foxhound a good family dog?
High: American Foxhound dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. They enjoy quality time with their owners despite the activity and are considered great therapy dogs for those in need. This breed responds strongly to their handler's emotions because they bond closely. Their happiness is your happiness.
Social Needs
How much social interaction does the American Foxhound need? American Foxhound social needs:
American Foxhound dogs are a social breed. They enjoy being around people or other animals. This breed doesn't tolerate being left alone.
Impulse to Wander or Roam
How likely is the American Foxhound to run away? Does this breed explore or wander a lot? Does American Foxhound roam?
American Foxhound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. Safer to walk them on a leash unless you teach them how to get back to you on command. This breed is also able to cause damage to your fence.
Prey Drive
Do this canine have a strong prey drive? Does American Foxhound have high prey drive?
American Foxhound dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. Cats or any other small animals might be in danger. It's a natural instinct, doesn't necessarily mean that American Foxhound dogs are aggressive. Better to keep this breed on a leash.

American Foxhound Activity and Playfulness

Playfulness
How playful is this breed?
The American Foxhound is a highly playful breed. Excited barking and sometimes nipping will alert you to play.
Barking
Do American Foxhound dogs bark a lot? Are they barkers/noisy? Why does my American Foxhound bark?
A lot: American Foxhound is a particularly loud breed. They often enjoy barking and howling loudly. If you want a quiet dog, not the best choice.

The main triggers for barking are fear, attention, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety, compulsive barking, and defense.

Apartment Friendly
Is American Foxhound good as an apartment dog? Can they live in a flat? Can you have an American Foxhound in an apartment?
Not an apartment-friendly dog the American Foxhound breed. If you don't have a garden, think carefully about your decision, keeping American Foxhound indoors can cause a lot of problems.

American Foxhound Adaptability and Independence

Adaptability
Are they adaptable and easy-going?
American Foxhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. They don't mind moving from one place to another with their owner.
Tolerates Being Left Alone
How long can an American Foxhound be left alone? How long can you leave an American Foxhound alone?
American Foxhound dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

American Foxhound Bite Characteristics

Bite Force PSI
Does the American Foxhound has a hard bite? What is the bite force of an American Foxhound? How much bite force does an American Foxhound have? How strong is an American Foxhound bite?

Between 200 and 400 PSI

American Foxhound bite force: Ordinary. Bite force American Foxhound measurements typically fall within the range of 200 to 400 PSI. The bite force of an American Foxhound is considered ordinary when compared to other dog breeds, but it is still quite powerful. This American Foxhound bite force PSI can cause bite wounds. American Foxhound bite PSI is not something that should be feared if the dog is well-trained and managed. To avoid any issues, it's essential to learn how to train an American Foxhound puppy not to bite from an early age.

The American Foxhound, and many others, have a fearsome presence because they have significant jaw strength, so it is important not to anger the dog and have it around strangers until it is fully trained.

However, they are usually quite calm and good companions, they work well in families and are easy to care for.

In conclusion, while the American Foxhound bite force is certainly an interesting aspect of the breed, it is important not to let it overshadow the many other reasons why these dogs are so loved and respected. With proper training and socialization, an American Foxhound can be a loyal and protective companion for your family.

Biting Potential
Do American Foxhound bite humans? How likely are you to get bitten from the American Foxhound? What are the odds of getting bitten by a American Foxhound? Why do dog bites happen?

Low 🔽

The American Foxhound has a low chance of biting somebody. Top reasons for dog bite: protection, pain, excitement, herding instinct, being provoked. (Data based on the available online bite statistics.)
Mouthiness
How much mouthing/nipping/play biting does the American Foxhound do?
American Foxhound dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. It's a common habit during puppyhood, not aggressive behavior. These "bites" don't hurt, but American Foxhound dogs need to be taught a good attitude.

American Foxhound Health and Lifespan

Health Issues
Is it a healthy or unhealthy breed? Do American Foxhound dogs have health problems or genetic diseases?
American Foxhounds tend to have a lot and frequent health issues. Regular vet check-ups are essential with this breed.
Veterinarian Visits
How often does the American Foxhound breed need to go to the vet? How often should you take your dog to the vet? How often should the American Foxhound see the vet?
Frequent
The American Foxhound should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year. If your dog shows any symptoms, call your veterinarian.
Life Expectancy
How long do American Foxhound dogs live? How old can a American Foxhound be? What is the age limit of the American Foxhound? How many years can the oldest American Foxhound live?

What is the average life expectancy / lifespan of an American Foxhound?

How long is the lifespan of an American Foxhound?

10-12 years
The average lifespan of American Foxhound: 11 years
Weather and Climate
Which weather condition is preferred by this dog? Can they tolerate hot or cold weather and climate?
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
The American Foxhound can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog.

American Foxhound Energy and Activity

Energy Level
How much energy does the American Foxhound have? What is the activity level of the American Foxhound?
American Foxhound dogs are high-energy dogs. An active lifestyle makes them happy.
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
How much exercise does an American Foxhound need? How much exercise do American Foxhound dogs require per day?

Do American Foxhound dogs need a lot of exercises?

American Foxhound dogs need a lot of exercises. Long walks should be on a daily schedule. If you live an active life, this breed can be a good choice for you.
Sleeping Need
How much sleep does the American Foxhound breed need?
American Foxhound dogs don't need too much sleep. They are energetic and desire to live active life. If you think naps are overrated, this breed can be the best choice for you.

American Foxhound Diet and Weight Management

Average daily food consumption
How much food does an American Foxhound need? What dog products should I buy? How much food does an American Foxhound breed eat per day? What is good dog food for American Foxhound? How much food should I feed my American Foxhound?
2 to 3 cups of a high-quality dog food a day.
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity
How easy to gain weight for this dog? American Foxhound risk for obesity:
High: The American Foxhound breed has a strong tendency to be overweight. Try to find the happy medium between exercise and feeding. If you want to keep balance, increase the amount and frequency of your daily dog walk and play with the American Foxhound more often.

If you notice any weight gain, consult your veterinarian and make a diet plan. Reduce unhealthy food and snacks, and measure the American Foxhound weight regularly.

American Foxhound Allergies and Grooming

Coat / Hair Types
What type of coat does the American Foxhound have? What does this canine coat/fur look like?
Rough
Colors
What color is the breed's coat? What color are proper American Foxhound coats?
BlackTan Red Blue White Brown
Grooming
How to groom the American Foxhound and how often? How often should I take my American Foxhound to the groomer?
Effortless: The American Foxhound requires minimal grooming. Seasonal flea treatment is needed, but cutting the dog's hair by a professional groomer isn't necessary.

Ears and eyes should be cleaned sometimes to avoid infections. American Foxhound is one of the best choices if you don't have the time, skill, or money to take care of a high-maintenance dog.

Highly recommended for beginners.
Shedding Level
How much do American Foxhound dogs shed? How to control, reduce and prevent the shedding of the American Foxhound? Do American Foxhound dogs shed a lot?
American Foxhound dogs shed none to minimal. Having a puppy from this breed you don't have to be afraid of your couch or car being covered by dog hair. American Foxhound dogs could be the best choice if you don't tolerate dog hair.
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency
How often does the American Foxhound need a bath? How often should you give an American Foxhound a bath? Can I bathe my American Foxhound every day?
4-6 weeks
Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. According to a study, 56% of pet parents don’t bathe their dogs as frequently as they should, and 60% use the sniff test when deciding when it’s bath time.

Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. It’s also a good time to look for unusual scratches, bumps, fleas, and other irregularities. When their hair is wet and flat against their body, these details are more visible.

Hypoallergenic
Is the American Foxhound breed hypoallergenic?
No
American Foxhound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions. Some dog breeds are even considered to higher possibility of an allergic response. Coat type isn't necessarily relevant, because most people are allergic to dander (flakes on the dog's skin) or saliva, not actually to dog hair.
Stinkiness
How stinky is this dog? Why does it smell bad and how to get rid of the smell?

Medium

The American Foxhound has an average chance of bad smell. Top reasons for dog stinkiness: infection of bad tooth/ear/skin folds, gas attacks.
Drooling Tendency
Does the American Foxhound drool?
The American Foxhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. If you're disgusted by slobber spots on your clothes, the American Foxhound could be a perfect choice for you. Drooling is the unintentional saliva flowing outside of the mouth. It can be completely normal or a sign of a health problem. Certain dog breeds drool minimum compared to others, just like the American Foxhound.

If you notice any change in your dog's drooling habit, you should contact a vet as soon as possible.

American Foxhound Good With

Pet Friendly
Are they pet-friendly dogs? How well do American Foxhound dogs get along with other pets? Are American Foxhound dogs good with pets? What is this canine temperament with other pets?
American Foxhound dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets.
Stranger Friendly
Are they aggressive or friendly towards/with strangers? American Foxhound temperament with other people:
American Foxhound dogs are average friendly towards strangers.
Child Friendly
Are American Foxhound dogs kid-friendly? Are they good with young children? American Foxhound temperament with children:
American Foxhound dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. This breed enjoys being surrounded by children.
Cat Friendly
How well do American Foxhound dogs get along with cats? Are they good with kittens? What is this fido's temperament with cats? Can they be good with cats? Can the American Foxhound breed live with a cat?
American Foxhound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Friendly
Is American Foxhound good with other dogs? Are they dog-friendly dogs? How well do American Foxhound dogs get along with other dogs?
American Foxhound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs. If you want more dogs in your family or you'd like to join dog meetups, the American Foxhound can be a great choice.
Good For First Time Owners
Is American Foxhound breed good for first-time owners? Do they make a good dog for novice owners? Is American Foxhound breed suitable for first-time owners?
Yes
American Foxhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly
Are American Foxhound dogs good office canines? Do American Foxhound dogs make good office-friendly pets? Can they be office dogs?
Yes
American Foxhound is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
Senior Citizens Friendly
Are they senior citizens friendly dogs? How well do American Foxhound dogs get along with the elderly people? What is the American Foxhound temperament with senior people? Are American Foxhound dogs good for elderly owners?
American Foxhounds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.

American Foxhound As a Working Dog

Service Dog
Are they good as service dogs? Can American Foxhound be a guide dog? Are they used as seeing-eye dogs?

Not really

This breed generally not used as a service dog. A service dog is a term used in the USA to refer to any type of assistance dog specifically trained to help people who have disabilities, such as visual impairment, hearing impairments, mental disorders, seizures, mobility impairment, and diabetes. Service dogs are protected under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

American Foxhound is not the best breed for service purposes.

Therapy Dog
Are they good as therapy dogs? Can American Foxhound be a therapy dog? Are they good anxiety dogs? Can a American Foxhound be an emotional support animal?

Not really

This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. A therapy dog is a dog that might be trained to provide affection, comfort, and love to people in hospitals, retirement homes, nursing homes, schools, hospices, disaster areas, and people with anxiety disorders or autism.

American Foxhound is not the best breed for therapeutic purposes.

Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog
Are they good as detection dogs? Can American Foxhound be a sniffer dog?

Not really

They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones.

American Foxhound is not the best breed for detection purposes.

Search and Rescue Dog (SAR)
Are they good as SAR dogs? Can American Foxhound be a search and rescue dog?

Not really

This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and locating missing people.

The American Foxhound is not the best breed for SAR purposes.

Boat and Sailor Dog
Are they good as boat dogs? Can American Foxhound be a boat dog?

Not really

American Foxhound breed usually doesn't like being on a boat.

Boat dogs were typically bred for their strength, stamina, and water resistance, as they were often required to perform tasks such as pulling in fishing nets, and jumping into the water to retrieve ropes or lines, or helping to move cargo.

Sailor dog is a type of dog that was bred to accompany sailors on their voyages. They were typically used for three purposes: as a working dog, a watchdog, and as a companion. A boat dog is a term used to describe a type of dog that was traditionally bred and used as a working dog on boats.

Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog
Are they good as cart pulling dogs? Can American Foxhound be a drafting dog?

Not really

A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. Dogs bred for this work have strong builds and qualities that are needed, strength and determination.

American Foxhound is not the best breed for drafting purposes.

Fighting Dog / Military Dog
Where American Foxhound dogs used as fighting / military dogs in history?

Not really

In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

American Foxhound Reproducibility

Gestation Length
How long is an American Foxhound pregnant?How long does it take to have puppies? How to tell if the American Foxhound breed is pregnant?

60-64 days

Reproductive cycle of the female American Foxhound: The first period called Proestrus lasts for about 9 days.

During this time the females start to attract males. You can notice by swelling vulva and bloody discharge.

The second part is the Estrus when the female is receptive for the male. It lasts for about 3 to 11 days.

The sign of the proestrus part is the soft and enlarged vulva. The discharge decreases and lightens in color.

The third part is the Diestrus. Normally, it occurs around day 14. In this period the female’s discharge changes for vivid red and coming to its end. The vulva returns to average, and she will no longer permit mating.

The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time frame between heat periods normally lasts about six months.

Litter Frequency

Once a year.

More frequent breeding is not healthy. It is very important not to buy a dog from a puppy mill, where the needs of the pups and their mothers are ignored. It's an inhumane high-volume dog breeding facility, where puppies born several times a year.
Litter Size
How many puppies can the American Foxhound have in a litter? How many puppies can the American Foxhound breed have for the first time? How many puppies does an American Foxhound have? How many puppies can an American Foxhound give birth to?
5-7 puppies

American Foxhound Recognition

AKC Group
Is American Foxhound recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886 as a Hound breed.
FCI Group
Is American Foxhound recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI)?
Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Scent hounds section.

American Foxhound Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Trainability: American Foxhound dogs are easy to train.
  • Grooming: Effortless: The American Foxhound requires minimal grooming.
  • Shedding Level: American Foxhound dogs shed none to minimal.
  • Drooling Tendency: The American Foxhound is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency.
  • Adaptability: American Foxhound dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
  • Child Friendly: American Foxhound dogs are very kid-friendly dogs.
  • Dog Friendly: American Foxhound dogs are very dog-friendly dogs.
  • Office Friendly: American Foxhound is one of the best dog breeds for office environment
  • Senior Citizens Friendly: American Foxhounds are one of the best breeds for elderly people.
  • Good For First Time Owners: American Foxhound dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Cons
  • Health Issues: American Foxhounds tend to have a lot and frequent health issues.
  • Hypoallergenic: American Foxhound dogs don't do well with allergy sufferers by causing allergic reactions.
  • Apartment Friendly: Not an apartment-friendly dog the American Foxhound breed.
  • Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity: High: The American Foxhound breed has a strong tendency to be overweight.
  • Watchdog Ability: American Foxhound dogs are not the best watchdogs.
  • Impulse to Wander or Roam: American Foxhound dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world.
  • Tolerates Being Left Alone: American Foxhound dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.
  • Cat Friendly: American Foxhound dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs.

American Foxhound History

The American Foxhound is considered to be the oldest of the American hound breeds. The American Foxhound is descended from the English Foxhounds that were imported to America in the 1650s during the first mass immigration of Europeans. It is thought that an English breeder, named Robert Brooke introduced the English variety to the American public first, and started to breed them overseas too.

These English Foxhounds were cross-bred with several other, mostly French hound breeds in the 18th century. Most of the American breeders were aiming to create a Foxhound that is faster, taller, and lighter than the English variety. Most of the breeding initiations were proven to be successful, moreover, the newly designed breed had a keener sense of smell, thus it better suited both to the terrain and the game of their native country. During the 1830s, the Irish Hound was also included into the breeding mixture, with the intention of increasing the speed even more.

According to some experts, the American Foxhound was the first dog breed indigenous to America, however, it is difficult to prove. Interestingly, George Washington was among the first breeders of the American Foxhound. He kept a pack of dogs at Mount Vernon and tried to enhance their abilities by breeding them with other European hounds, mostly with the English Foxhound. Marquis de Lafayette, the wealthy Frenchman, who fought in the American War of Independence was a good friend to Mr. Washington, and he is believed to have given a handful of French Foxhounds to Mr. Washington to include them into his breeding procedure. Another well-loved British practice around Mount Vernon was the traditional English foxhunt, with scores of equestrians and hounds thundering across the countryside in pursuit of foxes. Washington was believed to be a passionate fox-hunter. He bred and kept the British import dogs for the purpose of hunting. Thanks to his meticulous records, we know a lot of information about these times in the American Foxhound’s history. It was not Washington who single-handedly developed an entirely new breed, but he was the most important figure in the breed’s further development. Other famous families of America’s founding generation loved American Foxhounds, including The Jeffersons, or the Lees. Thanks to the early establishment of the breed, and the well-defined breed standard, the AKC (American Kennel Club) recognized them very early, in 1886.

Later the American Foxhound was categorized into four different variations according to their hunting abilities and working behavior; the Field Trial Hounds, the Trail Hounds, the Fox-Hunting Hounds, and the Pack Hounds. The American Foxhound quickly became a well-esteemed hunting companion for the American gentry until the Civil War. The breed got very popular across the whole country; the State of Virginia named the breed their state dog in the 1960s. Nowadays the American Foxhound is considered a relatively rare breed. The dogs today are mostly kept as family companions, but there are many who are still pursuing their original role as energetic, fast, and intelligent hunting companions.

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American Foxhound Comments, Reviews and Questions

  • selena woods

    Oct 30, 2021, 7:38:21 PM: