American Foxhound

Breed Group: hound

"May my nose be my guide."

Breed Profile

American Foxhounds are high-energy hunting dogs that also make excellent companions. They love their families and always want to be by your side—unless they’re busy following their nose to a new and interesting scent. They love hunting but really enjoy just about anything they can do with you and be active.

Behavior

American Foxhounds are very affectionate toward their owners and their children. Strangers, however, are a different matter. American Foxhounds will usually be wary of strangers and can sometimes even be aggressive, as they are highly protective of the things they love. If left alone and without attention, American Foxhounds will use their loud voices to let everyone know they are unhappy and looking for their favorite human. They can also be destructive if left alone for too long or don’t get their exercise, so be sure to show them the love and attention they crave and deserve.

Coat

When it comes to grooming, the short coat of the American Foxhound is easy to maintain. You’ll want to brush their coat about once a week to remove dead hair and help spread their skin oils around their body.

Lifestyle

American Foxhounds should live in a more rural setting where their loud voices will not upset your neighbors. They’ll be happy to play outside on their own in a safe area, but should always be allowed to live inside with people. American Foxhounds are pack dogs, so they’re usually delighted when surrounded by other dogs. They’re also patient, loving companions of children, but cats and other pets can be a different matter. If they are raised together, they can learn to live with another, but it’s hard for these hunting dogs to see smaller, furry animals as anything other than something fun to chase.

Activity

American Foxhounds are true athletes. If given the opportunity they will run for miles and miles. This means that any time you let them off-leash, you should make sure they’re in a safe, partitioned area without cars or other dangers. American Foxhounds also enjoy long hikes, jogs, or even running alongside your bike. They need plenty of daily exercise, so plan to take them out as often as possible to keep them happy and well-behaved.

Characteristics

Space Needs

Activity Needs

Intelligence

Playfulness

Grooming Needs

Trainability

Watch Ability

Dog-friendliness

Child-friendliness

About the American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is a friendly, intelligent dog that loves its family. They are especially fond of children and are known for being very patient with them. American Foxhounds were bred for hunting and will follow their nose wherever it takes them. They have a lot of energy and can cover plenty of ground during a hunt or a fun romp through the woods. If they are looking for you or their doggie friends, you’ll know it from the sound of their very loud voice, which they like to show off. Many people think of the American Foxhound strictly as an outdoors hunting dog, but they are actually very affectionate and people-oriented animals who only want to be around their human and canine counterparts.