The American Foxhound is an excellent choice if you are looking for an intelligent and loyal companion. This majestic breed’s delightful temperament and gracefully balanced appearance make them a favored choice among canine aficionados seeking an affectionate animal to add to their family.
This fenceless hunter is an ideal running partner for owners with active lifestyles! Whether you’re interested in exploring trails or want a furry buddy who adores going on long walks around your neighborhood, the American Foxhound will surely bring a wealth of joy into your home.
Description Of Their Physical Appearance

This dog breed stands out from the crowd with its graceful appearance and well-balanced structure. These creatures are known for their outstanding athleticism and ability to run long distances with great endurance.
Regarding physical characteristics, several key features make this breed stand out from others.
Height And Weight
The American Foxhound typically stands between 21 and 25 inches tall at the shoulder, with males generally slightly larger than females. The breed typically weighs anywhere from 65 to 75 pounds, with males often larger than females.
Coat Color And Texture
The American Foxhound has a coat in different colors and textures, like black, white, tan, and tricolor. Their coat is usually short and shiny but feels thick and rough when touched. Common color patterns are black, white, and tan, or a blend of these colors in different designs.
Facial Features
One of the most striking facial features of the American Foxhound is its large, expressive eyes which can range in color from brown to hazel. Their eyes are dark, with a keen, alert expression that reflects their intelligence and sharp senses.
This breed also has a long, muscular neck and a broad chest, which gives it a regal and powerful appearance. The most distinctive feature of the American Foxhound is its ears. They also have long, floppy ears that add to their charming and friendly persona.
These ears are incredibly sensitive, which allows them to pick up scents and sounds from a distance. Their noses are incredibly sensitive and known for detecting even the faintest scent of their prey.
Temperament And Behavior Of The American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is a cheerful, friendly, and affectionate breed that makes a delightful companion animal. They are known for their high energy levels, intelligence, and loyalty—qualities that make them excellent running partners and faithful friends.
Exercise Needs
As an active breed originally bred for hunting, the American Foxhound requires plenty of exercise to maintain optimal health and happiness. They thrive on opportunities to run, walk, and play, making them an ideal choice for owners with active lifestyles.
Experts recommend that American Foxhounds receive at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily exercise. It includes long walks, runs, jogs, and free playtime in a secure, fenced-in area or dog park. Regular exercise helps to keep them mentally stimulated, physically fit, and well-behaved.
Learn Top Activities For American Foxhounds!
Socialization And Obedience Training
Socialization and obedience training are crucial for the American Foxhound, as it helps them to develop good manners, build confidence, and learn how to interact appropriately with people and other animals. Early training and socialization are especially important for puppies, as they can shape their attitudes and life behaviors.
To ensure positive socialization experiences, American Foxhounds should be exposed to various people, places, and animals from a young age. Obedience training should be conducted using positive reinforcement techniques that reward good behavior and discourage negative behavior.
Relationship With Children And Other Pets
The American Foxhound is known for being gentle and friendly with children, making them an excellent addition to families with kids. However, as with any breed, supervision is always recommended when dogs and children are together.
Regarding other pets, American Foxhounds can coexist peacefully with cats and animals if socialized with them from a young age. However, as a hunting breed, they have a high prey drive and may be inclined to chase small animals. Introducing them to household pets should be done gradually and under careful supervision.
Grooming And Care

Taking care of your American Foxhound is essential to maintain its majestic appearance and delightful temperament. Grooming your American Foxhound involves caring for its coat, ears, teeth, and overall health. These steps will help keep your American Foxhound healthy and happy.
Coat Care
American Foxhounds have short, dense coats that require minimal grooming. Regular brushing will help maintain their coat’s shine and remove loose hair. Bathing your American Foxhound should be done when necessary, as frequent bathing can strip their skin of natural oils. As with all dog breeds, it is important to check for ticks and fleas regularly and use preventative medication as needed.
Ear Care
American Foxhounds have long ears prone to infections, so cleaning their ears regularly is vital. Check your American Foxhound’s ears for signs of redness, discharge, or a foul odor. Use a cotton ball and a solution. Your veterinarian recommends gently cleaning their ears.
Dental Care
Dental hygiene is of utmost importance for your American Foxhound’s health. Brush your American Foxhound’s teeth at least once weekly using toothpaste designed for dogs. Additionally, provide your American Foxhound with safe, sturdy chew toys to help remove plaque and tartar build-up.
Overall Health
Taking care of your American Foxhound’s overall health is critical to their well-being. Ensure they get enough exercise, a nutritious diet, and regular veterinary check-ups.
Regular exercise will help control their high energy levels and keep them healthy and happy. A healthy diet, formulated for their specific needs, will help prevent health issues, including obesity.
Training And Activities

The American Foxhound’s natural hunting prowess and exceptional athleticism make them an ideal breed for owners who lead active lifestyles. However, without proper training and stimulation, this high-energy dog may become restless and destructive.
Training
The American Foxhound is known for its intelligence and eagerness to please its owner. It makes training a breeze, but starting early and being consistent in your approach is crucial. Basic obedience training such as sit, stay, come, and heel are essential for a well-behaved dog.
American Foxhounds are also known to have a strong prey drive, so socialization with other dogs and animals is crucial. Early and frequent exposure to other dogs, animals, and environments can help reduce the risk of aggression or excessive hunting behavior.
Activities
American Foxhounds love to run and require daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Long walks, hiking, and running are great activities with your furry companion. Not only do these activities help your dog burn off energy, but they also provide an opportunity for you to spend quality time with your furry friend.
Key Points
Aspect | Description |
---|---|
Breed | American Foxhound |
Physical Appearance | – Graceful and well-balanced structure – Athletic and high endurance |
Height and Weight | – Height: 21-25 inches at the shoulder – Weight: 65-75 pounds |
Coat Color and Texture | – Colors: Black, white, tan, tricolor – Texture: Short, shiny, thick, and rough |
Facial Features | – Large, expressive eyes (brown to hazel) – Dark eyes with a keen and alert expression |
Distinctive Features | – Long, muscular neck – Broad chest – Long, floppy ears |
Sensory Abilities | – Sensitive ears for picking up scents and sounds – Highly sensitive nose for detecting prey |
Temperament | – Cheerful, friendly, and affectionate – High energy levels – Intelligent and loyal |
Exercise Needs | – Requires at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily exercise – Thrives on running, walking, and playing |
Socialization and Training | – Socialization and obedience training are crucial – Early exposure to people, places, and animals – Positive reinforcement techniques for training – Good manners and appropriate interaction |
Relationship with Children | – Gentle and friendly with children – Supervision recommended |
Relationship with Pets | – Can coexist peacefully with cats and other animals if socialized early – High prey drive, gradual introduction recommended |
Grooming and Care | – Coat care: Regular brushing, minimal bathing – Ear care: Regular cleaning to prevent infections – Dental care: Weekly teeth brushing, chew toys for plaque removal – Overall health care: Exercise, nutritious diet, regular vet check-ups |
Training | – Intelligent and eager to please the owner – Early and consistent training with basic obedience commands – Socialization with other dogs and animals to prevent aggression and excessive hunting behavior |
Activities | – Requires daily exercise like long walks, hiking, and running |
Conclusion
The Foxhound is truly a remarkable breed. From their loyalty to their high level of intelligence and energy, these dogs make excellent companions for those with an active lifestyle.
They were designed for running and hunting, which makes them a great option for owners who love to explore the great outdoors. Moreover, the breed also offers great affection, making them a loving addition to any family.
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