American Foxhound
SweetIndependentEasygoing
United States · 11–13 years
About the American Foxhound
The American Foxhound is one of the oldest American breeds, with roots tracing to George Washington himself, who is considered the father of the breed. Washington crossed English Foxhounds with French hounds gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette to create a faster, lighter, more independent hunter suited to American terrain. American Foxhounds are sweet, easygoing, and independent dogs bred to hunt foxes in packs across vast American countryside. They are the state dog of Virginia and remain popular with mounted fox hunting enthusiasts while also serving as gentle, if somewhat challenging, family companions.
Breed stats
- Height
- 21–25 in
- Weight
- 60–70 lbs
- Lifespan
- 11–13 years
- Group
- Hound
- Coat
- Medium-length, hard, close
- Origin
- United States
Coat colors
- Tricolor
- Red and White
- Blue Mottled
- Any hound color
Temperament & ratings
Compatibility
Exercise & feeding
Daily exercise
60–120 min
per day recommended
Daily food
2–3 cups
high-quality dry food
Common health issues
- Hip dysplasia
- Ear infections
- Thrombocytopathy
- Hypothyroidism
- Bloat
Not every American Foxhound will develop these conditions, but awareness helps with early detection. Regular veterinary checkups and choosing a responsible breeder who health-tests their dogs are the best preventive measures.
Can American Foxhounds eat...
- Can dogs eat blueberries?Safe
- Can dogs eat grapes?Toxic
- Can dogs eat bananas?Safe
- Can dogs eat chocolate?Toxic
- Can dogs eat watermelon?Safe
- Can dogs eat cheese?Caution
- Can dogs eat almonds?Caution
- Can dogs eat apples?Safe
Frequently Asked Questions
- American Foxhounds are taller, lighter, and leaner than English Foxhounds, reflecting their need to cover larger American terrain faster. Americans typically weigh 60-70 lbs vs the English's 60-75 lbs but are leggier and more refined. American Foxhounds have a more independent temperament, often hunting alone or in smaller packs, while English Foxhounds are strictly pack dogs. Americans have a wider range of acceptable coat colors. American Foxhounds also have a more musical bay that American hunters prized. Both are gentle, friendly dogs, but Americans are slightly more independent.
- American Foxhounds can make good pets for the right household, but they are challenging for typical suburban or urban families. They are sweet, gentle, and excellent with children and other dogs. However, they need enormous amounts of exercise (1-2 hours daily), have a powerful bay that carries for miles (problematic for neighbors), and their independent nature makes training difficult. They are escape artists that will follow a scent trail over fences and across roads. They need a large, securely fenced property in a rural setting. For active rural families, they can be wonderful companions.
- American Foxhounds are paradoxically one of the oldest American breeds yet one of the rarest as pets. They consistently rank among the least-registered AKC breeds for companion ownership. However, large populations exist as working pack hounds for fox hunting — these dogs are often not AKC-registered. The breed's specialized exercise needs, powerful baying, and strong hunting drive make them challenging pets, limiting their appeal as family dogs. Most American Foxhounds live as working pack dogs on hunting estates rather than as household companions.
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