Nickname         : The Pilgrim Father’s Dog

Breed Origins  : United States in the 1600’s but ancestry dates back to an earlier English heritage

Breed usage      : Hunting Fox and Small Game Pack hunters with 15 - 20 dogs

Dog Weight       : 21 - 24 Pounds

Dog Height        : 22 to 25 inches to the shoulder

History
American Foxhound originates from the United States and is a dog of large size with a lean and powerful body. It is similar to it’s main ancestor, the English Foxhound, but is taller and lighter, having also been also bred with French and Irish hounds. This cross breeding has resulted in the American Foxhound being the fastest breed of all the Foxhounds. It was bred originally to hunt small game and foxes. It’s origins can be dated back to the 1600’s and it is classified as one of the Hound Dog Group.

American Foxhound ( Fox Hound ) belongs to the collection of dogs referred to as Scent Hounds, which specialise in following the scent or the smell of its quarry. It wasn’t until the mid 1500’s that hounds began to be classified according to their purpose, i.e. sight hounds, scent hounds, etc. Scent Hounds have distinctive characteristics, features and traits which are perfect for their purpose. They have large noses which have deep, open nostrils and their lips are loose and moist, designed to pick up scent particles and follow the trail of an animal. Their ears are long which concentrates the scent on the nose. Their bodies are designed for endurance, an essential asset when following any scent trail. Hunting takes different forms and as man opts for hunting their quarry either on foot or on horseback the scent hounds have been selectively bred to produce small legs, to enable a man to easily follow on foot, or longer legs suited to keep up with a man on horseback. Most scent hounds were used in packs - making a loud, deep baying noise alerting hunters to their location.

As a pet the American Foxhound is friendly, kind, tolerant but can be reserved with strangers. It is not generally regarded as a house pet but the American Foxhound has been known to adapt to this lifestyle, although they are difficult to housebreak due to their origins as outdoor, pack dogs used to living in kennels. They make a distinctive, almost melodious, baying sound.

The History of the American Foxhound commenced in the 1600’s when their ancestors arrived in America with the Pilgrim Fathers and the first settlers. The leaders of the American colonies brought their love of fox hunting with them from England and this tradition was soon adopted in the new colonies of America. Their immediate descendents from the English Foxhound were cross bred with French an d Irish dogs culminating in a taller, lighter and above all faster breed of dog. One of the most eminent of Americans, George Washington, became involved in the breeding process and kept Foxhounds at Mount Vernon. He introduced the French strain in 1785, courtesy of the French Soldier & Statesman Gilbert du Montier, the Marquis de Lafayette, who had been assigned to his staff. The breeding continued and their are a number of American Foxhound strains in existence today. These strains include the Walker, Trigg, Goodman, July and Calhoun, originating from Kentucky, Maryland, Tennessee and Georgia.

• The Walker strain originated in Kentucky and were first known as Mauphin hounds from the breeder Wash Mauphin. Wash Mauphin loved the dogs but not the record keeping and so the Walker brothers undertook this task. A large number of hounds were sent to Texas shortly after the Civil War, and it was there that this strain was first called Walkers. The Mauphin Hounds were thenceforth referred to a Walker Hounds.
• The Trigg strain originated in Kentucky by Colonel Haiden Trigg.
• The Goodman strain originated in Maryland strain and was imported across the country by Willis Goodman.
• The July strain originated in Georgia. This strain is named after a hound called July who was imported in 1858 from Maryland by Nimrod Gosnell to Colonel Miles G. Harris of Georgia.
• The Calhoun strain originated in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee and was bred by Otie Calhoun.

All Information and Tips About This Dog :

• Coat and Colours Info
  The American Foxhound’s coat comes in a range of the following colours tri-colour (black, white & tan), or bi-colour with a white background. The Fox Hounds coat is short and dense and is weatherproof.

• Temperament and Character
  The American Foxhound is a very sociable breed, especially enjoying the company of other dogs as they are pack dogs. They are tolerant, active, and amiable. The American Foxhound was developed as an active hunting dog so it is inclined to just follow a scent heedless of any commands.

• Health information - potential health problems
  Resolving dog health problems, including those of the American Foxhound, can prove to be costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining dog health insurance. Common health problems and questions occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears, Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune & Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health problems of the American Foxhound can include:
  • Thrombocytopathy
  • The life expectancy for this particular breed is between 10 – 13 years.

• Grooming and Care
  American Foxhound requires a minimum amount of grooming. Regardless of the breeds, a certain amount of grooming and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best. Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health problems are identified as quickly as possible.

• Living conditions and Exercise Requirements
  The American Foxhound dogs and puppies are not well suited to living in the town because it requires a substantial amount of exercise. It is well suited to living in the country and even outdoors in kennels. This dog will make a good house pet providing it is given lots of exercise in a safe location and is given lots of attention.