Is the American Foxhound a good family dog?
American Foxhound
American Foxhounds are athletic and good-natured medium-to-large dogs with a lean build, short coat and gentle, expressive face. Originally bred in the United States as scent hounds for fox hunting, they are known for their stamina, speed and strong tracking instincts. Generally friendly and sociable, American Foxhounds can be independent, vocal and easily distracted by scents, so they benefit from regular exercise, secure outdoor spaces and patient, consistent training.
| Recommended for | Active owners with secure space who can provide regular exercise and manage an independent, vocal scent hound. |
| Breed Classification | Hound Group |
| Other names | Foxhound |
| Lifespan | 11 to 13 years |
| Size | Medium to Large |
| Temperament | Easygoing, independent, musical and athletic |
| Intelligence | Generally intelligent; best results come from patient, positive and consistent training |
| Tendency to bark | High; classic hound bay |
| Maintenance Level | Low grooming; check ears and feet |
| Health Risk | American Foxhounds are generally robust when well bred and well cared for, but they can still be affected by recognised breed-related conditions that should be discussed with a vet or breeder. |
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Insuring an American Foxhound?
Get our award-winning Nose-to-Tail Cover with up to $30k annual benefit limit, up to 90% of eligible vet bills back, and no sub-limits.
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Breed history of American Foxhounds
The American Foxhound developed from English foxhounds brought to colonial America, later influenced by French hounds and selective breeding for American terrain and hunting style. George Washington was among the early figures associated with developing foxhound lines in the United States, helping establish a distinct American type.
Compared with its English relatives, the American Foxhound became lighter, taller and faster, suited to covering wide country. Its history is deeply connected with early American plantation and hunting culture, where voice, endurance and pack cooperation were highly prized.
Physical description of American Foxhounds
The American Foxhound is a tall, lean scent hound with long legs, a deep chest and an athletic build designed for speed and stamina. It has a long head, soft eyes, low-set ears and a gentle, open expression.
Its coat is short, hard and close-fitting, requiring minimal grooming. The breed comes in a variety of hound colours, including tricolour, black, white and tan, red and white, blue, or other patched combinations.
| Weight range | 27 to 32 kg |
| Height range | 53 to 64 cm |
| Colours | Any hound colour, often tricolour |
| Coat length | Short, hard, close coat |
American Foxhound personality and temperament
The American Foxhound is gentle, athletic and sociable, with a strong hunting background and an independent streak. It is energetic, scent-driven and often happiest when it has space to run and explore.
This breed is generally friendly and good-natured, but it can be vocal and easily distracted by interesting smells. American Foxhounds need regular exercise, secure fencing and patient training to manage their instincts and maintain focus.
American Foxhounds with kids and other pets
American Foxhounds are generally gentle, friendly and sociable with children, particularly in active homes. They are energetic and may be excitable outdoors, so supervision is useful around young children and regular exercise is important.
With other pets, American Foxhounds often do well with other dogs due to their pack-hunting background. Their strong scenting and hunting instincts may make them inclined to chase cats or small animals, especially if they have not been raised together.
American Foxhound training and exercise
American Foxhounds have high exercise needs and do best with active owners who can provide long walks, running, hiking or secure outdoor time. They are endurance hounds with strong scenting instincts, so they need both physical activity and opportunities to sniff and explore.
Training should be patient, consistent and focused on motivation. American Foxhounds can be independent and may ignore commands when following a scent. Recall, lead walking and socialisation should begin early, and secure fencing is important.
| Energy level | High |
| Exercise requirements | High - long runs, walks and scent work in secure areas |
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American Foxhound feeding and nutrition
The American Foxhound needs a nutritious diet that supports its athletic body, stamina and active lifestyle. Quality protein helps maintain lean muscle, while healthy fats provide energy for running, hiking or regular outdoor exercise.
Food intake should be matched to activity level, as working or highly active dogs may need more calories than less active pets. Meals should be measured, and owners should avoid overfeeding, especially in dogs that receive fewer opportunities to exercise.
American Foxhound care and grooming
The American Foxhound has a short, hard coat that requires minimal grooming. Weekly brushing helps remove loose hair, distribute natural oils and keep the coat clean. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors should be checked regularly for ticks, burrs, cuts or skin irritation.
Bathing is only needed occasionally. The ears should be checked and cleaned regularly because hanging ears can trap moisture and debris. Routine nail trimming and dental care should also be maintained, especially for active dogs that cover a lot of ground.
Health issues for American Foxhounds
- Hip dysplasia: A developmental condition where the hip joint forms abnormally, causing looseness, pain and reduced mobility. Genetics are a major factor, while rapid growth, excess weight and inappropriate exercise can worsen symptoms. Early diagnosis, weight control and veterinary care can help manage the condition.
- Ear infections: Common in dogs, often involving inflammation or infection of the outer ear canal caused by yeast, bacteria, allergies, mites or trapped moisture. Signs may include head shaking, scratching, redness, swelling, discharge, odour, pain or sensitivity around the ears.
- Thrombocytopathy: An inherited platelet function disorder where platelets may be present in normal numbers but do not work properly to form blood clots. Signs may include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, easy bruising, small red or purple skin spots, or prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery or teething.
- Obesity if under-exercised: A common condition where excess body fat affects a dog’s health, mobility and quality of life. It can increase the risk of arthritis, diabetes, breathing problems, heart disease and anaesthetic complications.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
FAQs about the American Foxhound
It can be, provided the household matches the breed’s exercise, training, grooming and supervision needs.
High – long runs, walks and scent work in secure areas.
Shedding depends on coat type, season and grooming routine. The breed has a short, hard, close coat.
No. While some individuals may shed less than others, no dog breed is truly allergy-free.
Most respond well to positive, consistent training, but owners should work with the breed’s instincts rather than against them.
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MORE INFORMATION
Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America: https://mfha.com/
English Foxhound Club of America, Inc.: https://sites.google.com/site/englishfoxhoundclub/home
