The American Foxhound is a hunting dog developed in the United States. It is descended from the English Foxhound, one of the most popular hound-type dogs in the UK. We can differentiate them by the limbs, which are noticeably longer and thinner in individuals of American origin, or by the slightly arched back. They are easy-care dogs and sociable character, something that has increasingly encouraged the ownership of these dogs in homes as pets.
On our site we will talk in detail about the American Foxhound, one of the most beloved breeds of hunting dogs in its country of origin. We will detail its origin, most notable characteristics, care, education and he alth among others. We will explain everything you need to know about this noble and friendly temperament dog.
Origin of the American Foxhound
The American foxhound breed is closely related to the founding generation of the United States, which brought many of the UK customs, including the traditional " fox hunt". The American elite of the time practiced this "sport", as well as former President George Washington and other well-known families, such as the Jeffersons, the Lees and the Custises. Although it was not very popular as a show dog, the American Foxhound excelled in hunting functions, until the breed standard was adjusted in post-colonial times, completely separating it from the English Foxhound. He is currently the Virginia State Dog
Characteristics of the American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is a large hound-type dog, taller and lighter than its closest relative, the English Foxhound. Males usually reach between 56 and 63.5 cm. at the withers, while the females measure between 53 and 61 cm. to the cross It shows a head of medium length and slightly domed. The naso-frontal depression (stop) is moderately defined. The eyes are large, well separated from each other and hazel or brown in color The ears are long, hanging, set high and with rounded ends.
The body is athletic, with a muscular back and stocky but of medium length. The loin is wide and slightly arched. The chest is deep but relatively narrow. The tail is set high, slightly curved and carried high, but never over the back. The coat of this foxhound is of medium length, hard and thick It can be any color.
American foxhound character
Like its English cousin, the American Foxhound is a dynamic, curious and sociable dogAlthough it has a powerful bark and he is very tenacious on the trail, he is not a good guard because he is usually too friendly. It is a dog that requires company, so it is not suitable for people who spend a lot of time away from home.
Because of its friendly nature, the socialization of the American Foxhound puppy does not usually represent a difficulty. In this stage, which begins at 4 weeks and ends around two months, we will strive to introduce all kinds of people, animals and environments to the dog. This way he will maintain a steady temperament as an adult with all kinds of people, animals and places.
The breed does not usually present behavioral problems, however, regular punishment, loneliness, lack of exercise or lack of mental stimulation can cause the dog to develop behavioral problems such as nervousness, destructiveness or excessive vocalization.
American Foxhound Care
The American Foxhound is a very easy dog to care for and maintain. Starting with the coat, we will offer him between one and two weekly brushings, which will help us remove dirt, dead hair and detect any anomaly or parasite in a regular way. prompt. As for the bath, we can space it out if the dog is not excessively dirty. We can offer one every two or three months, for example, always using a specific shampoo for dogs
Being an active dog, we must offer him daily between 3 and 4 daily walks, in addition to providing him with the option of practicing some sport canine, such as Agility. The practice of mental stimulation and, especially, games of smell, are highly recommended to keep your senses active, your mind awake and an optimal level of well-being. It may be more advisable to keep it in a rural environment, but if we strive to offer it a good quality of life, it can also be adapted to an urban environment.
Another important aspect is the food, which must always be based on quality products. If we have decided to opt for a diet based on the best feed on the market, we will make sure to adapt the amounts taking into account the daily physical activity that you carry out. In the case of offering homemade recipes or specific diets, we will consult with the veterinarian to help us adapt the ingredients and quantities.
American Foxhound Education
The education of the American foxhound dog should begin when it is still a puppy, teaching it to urinate in newspapers and, later, teaching it to urinate in the street. At this stage he should also learn the basic house rulesor to manage the bite. We will be very patient with the little one, because at this stage retention is limited and we must favor learning in the form of play.
Later on we will introduce him to basic obedience, which includes exercises such as sitting, lying down or standing still. It is essential that you learn these commands because it will depend on it that we can have a good communication with the dog. It will also affect his safety and whether we can teach him advanced training or canine skills later on. To promote learning we will use positive reinforcement, whether in the form of prizes, toys, caresses or verbal reinforcement.
American Foxhound He alth
Although most dog breeds have a certain predisposition to developing hereditary diseases common in the breed, the American Foxhound does not yet have frequent he alth problems, therefore, we can say thathe is a very he althy dog Still, being a medium to large dog, the life expectancy of the American foxhound is between 10 and 12 years of age.
To maintain optimal he alth, we recommend visiting the veterinarian every 6 or 12 months, strictly following the vaccination schedule of the dog and regular deworming. In this way we will minimize the risk of developing he alth problems and we will be able to offer a better prognosis to the dog in case of detection.
