History
Sweet easygoing, kind and loyal, the breed belongs to a way of life practiced two or more centuries ago. But it is used as a modern-day companion too. The stamina and love for running make them an excellent jogging mate for athletic dog owners. The earliest hounds are known to be brought to America back in 1650. The descendants of those hounds are believed to get diverged into different breeds of American hounds we find today. Hounds in the past have been imported in vast numbers from England, Ireland and France. One of the well-known species is the American hound and it was first recognized in the year 1886.
Temperament and Personality
Besides being sweet, gentle, lovable, and somewhat affectionate as a home pet, it is also brave and wild in the hunt. They get excellent along with children and other dogs, but they should not be kept with non-canine pets. Compatibility with strangers might vary, however, foxhounds do not tend to make good pets for houses because of their history as outdoor kennel hunting hounds.
American Foxhound puppies love to bay in a melodious barking which has even been used in many popular songs. Due to its hunting instincts and unpredictable nature, a foxhound should never be left alone with little kids to avoid any risks. It has a bell-like voice which can be heard for miles. Cats should also be kept away from them. Foxhounds are versatile animals as after the entire day hunting they come home and have a playful mood with the kids and adjust to the family atmosphere sleeping with the mom. Lastly, they are not shy at all, not introvert even when strangers are around. They remain highly energized dogs making them interesting pets.
Care
Exercise
As they are bred as a fast hunting animal and can run for miles together, American foxhound needs substantial exercise and activities. If not hunting, it will need daily runs or any other form of exercise. These dogs are best suited to houses with a yard and he may be too loud for an apartment. It might get difficult.
It is recommended to have them as a family pet only if they can be provided with plenty of exercises. One should take them to long walks, jogging or make them run alongside your bicycle. If they do not get the required amount of exercise, they might get depressed and become destructive.
Grooming
The coat of this foxhound is short and dense making them easy to groom and maintain. Brush it on a weekly basis for the removal of dead hairs which would also help in distribution of skin oils. It is also essential to prevent loose hairs from settling on floors, furniture or clothing. You may use a soft bristle brush which helps to keep the coats in excellent condition. They need baths too and also use of shampoo is required. Trim their nails every week and clean as well as dry their ears to avoid yeast or bacterial infections. Brush their teeth for strong health and freshness of breathing.
Health problems
Although not prone to get inflicted with diseases, this breed might suffer from thrombocytopathy that is poor functioning of the platelets. This condition can result in excessive bleeding which is why blood tests must be done for early identification. Some of them may suffer from hip dysplasia and ear infections.
Hence a regular check by the vet for a proper genetic testing of the dog is recommended to prevent the likelihood of diseases. A healthy breed will be free of any genetic diseases related to hip and bone problems. They tend to gain weight quickly so make sure that they are not ov
Training
The American foxhounds have an independent and stubborn nature as common in other hound breeds. Foxhounds that have been raised along with other dogs instead of a family can be very difficult to train as they tend to bond with their pack more than with humans. So they might need time and attention along with proper training to adapt and become a family dog. They should be socialized earlier and be made to get along with people and other dogs. Obedience training is mostly recommended to these foxhounds and they do not respond to punishment based training method. Instead, use rewards and praises to encourage him.
Make them learn, and reward them with praises or treats when pleased with them and they will be the happiest creatures. They are mainly ruled by the nose and maybe stubborn at times to follow any scent to find food. They are an excellent dog for rural and active families. Puppies love staying outdoors and have the endurance to move all day long.
Feeding
American Foxhound likes to eat, but they should not overeat. To prevent obesity and other related diseases you must measure the food before serving and give meals only twice a day. Most importantly, never leave food all day long around them. The recommended amount is two to three cups of high-quality dog food in a day. But the quantity of food depends on the size, age, build, metabolism and the dog’s activity level. A highly active dog will obviously need more food than a less active one. The quality of food also affects; the more better the dog food, the more nutrition he can get with only a little amount of it.
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