American Foxhound
Known in French as Foxhound Américain
- Height at the withers
- 53 to 64 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- United States
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
An elegant, powerful scent hound, long-legged and light-boned, known for its remarkable stamina, its speed and its musical voice. One of the oldest American breeds, bred to hunt in packs over long distances.
History and origins
Descended from English Foxhounds brought to colonial America as early as 1650, then adapted to American terrain and fox hunting. George Washington played a key role in its development by selecting lighter, taller and faster dogs able to hunt the red fox over varied terrain.
Health
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Thrombopathia (inherited platelet disorder)
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections (drop ears)
- Obesity when under-exercised
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Good, 4 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
American Foxhound FAQ
How big does the American Foxhound get?
The American Foxhound stands 53 to 64 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 32 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the American Foxhound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the American Foxhound live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the American Foxhound need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the American Foxhound good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the American Foxhound live?
Life expectancy is 11 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are thrombopathia and hip dysplasia.
