American Foxhound

Understanding the nature of the American foxhound is key to living a happy life with this easygoing but energetic breed. These dogs need plenty of exercise every day to be satisfied, and they're known for stubbornly following their own desires (a trait that makes them excel when pursuing a scent on the hunt). In the grooming department, the American foxhound's short coat is easy to care for.

Exercise

Owners should be aware that these dogs have boundless energy that needs a daily outlet to avoid undesirable behavior. It’s important to remember that American foxhounds were bred for their speed and stamina. They have a seemingly limitless amount of energy, and this comes with significant daily exercise needs. Be prepared to spend up to two hours every day exercising your foxhound. It's best if you have a secure, fenced area for your dog to run in as a supplement to structured exercise time. These dogs love to be on the move, and if they’re left alone in the house, they can become destructive when finding their own entertainment.

Like other scent hounds, the American foxhound has a keen sense of smell and a one-track mind when it gets on the trail of prey. For this reason, you should never trust your foxhound to walk off-leash—especially in the city, where the threat of being hit by a car or becoming lost is even greater. This dog was bred to follow a scent and ignore everything else in its surroundings. This means that your foxhound is very unlikely to follow recall commands if it takes off after birds, cars, people, or other animals.

Grooming

The American Foxhound's handsome coat is short and lies close to the body. The coat's hard texture protects the dog from the underbrush he courses through while on the hunt'and the coat also happens to be extremely easy to take care of. A short, once-a-week session with a bristle brush, a rubber grooming mitt or tool, or a hound glove is usually all that is needed. The Foxhound should not need to be bathed unless he gets into something particularly messy while outdoors. As with all breeds, the American Foxhound's nails should be trimmed regularly.

Training

American Foxhounds are easygoing and amiable. They also can be stubborn and independent, however, which can make training an exercise in patience. Obedience classes are recommended, and as scenthounds, it may never be safe to have them off-leash, because their noses can lead them into trouble. Foxhounds raised in the home tend to be wonderfully mild-tempered, devoted, and easygoing companions, and they get along well with children. Even so, owners will need patience and persistence when training them, and hounds can develop unwanted behaviors if not given enough exercise.

Problems

One of America’s oldest breeds, the American foxhound has remained very genetically healthy. These dogs are known for being hardy, however, they may be prone to diseases based on their size and long ears. When adopting a puppy from a breeder, always ask to be provided with the medical history of the litter's parents.

Diet and Nutrition

Like all dogs, the American foxhound thrives when fed high-quality dog food, either commercial or homemade when supervised by your veterinarian. Keep in mind that these active canines will require a protein-rich food source, and it’s best to skip formulas with a lot of filler. Since these dogs are food-motivated and will likely overeat when given the opportunity, it's best to keep healthy treats to a minimum.

Feed your American foxhound two measured meals per day. If you're unsure how much food your dog needs, ask your veterinarian to help you determine a healthy meal and portion schedule based on your specific dog's age, weight, and activity level.