American Foxhound Breed Guide: Care Tips & More

The American Foxhound is a sleek, high-spirited dog known for its endurance, sweet temperament, and musical voice. Originally bred in the United States for foxhunting, this scenthound thrives on physical activity and companionship. With their long legs, deep chests, expressive eyes, and easygoing personalities, American Foxhounds bring athletic grace and family-friendly charm to your home.

What sets this breed apart is its boundless stamina and gentle nature. While their baying bark can be loud, their hearts are soft. They’re affectionate, loyal, alert, and usually excellent with kids and other dogs.

At Healthy Paws, we celebrate every dog breed for its unique personality and needs. In this guide to the American Foxhound dog breed, we cover everything from size and characteristics to care, health, and insurance considerations.

Size of American Foxhounds

American Foxhounds are fairly tall and lean. Males typically stand between 22 and 25 inches tall and weigh around 65 to 70 pounds. Females are slightly smaller, measuring 21 to 24 inches and weighing 60 to 65 pounds. These dogs were built for endurance rather than bulk, with long limbs, slim waists, and a trim frame.

They grow quickly during their first year, reaching near full height by 12 months, and continue filling out through their second year.

Here’s how their growth generally progresses:

Age	Male Foxhounds	Female Foxhounds
3 months	20–30 lbs.	15–25 lbs.
6 months	40–55 lbs.	35–50 lbs.
9 months	50–65 lbs.	45–60 lbs.
12 months	55–70 lbs.	50–65 lbs.
24 months	65–75 lbs.	60–70 lbs.

Foxhounds tend to maintain a lean silhouette, and it’s important to keep them fit to protect their joints and fuel their high activity levels.

Characteristics of American Foxhounds

Despite their working-dog roots, American Foxhounds are famously friendly. These dogs are pack animals at heart, so they’re happiest around family, including kids, other dogs, and familiar caregivers. They can also be socialized to live with cats, but this may require conscious effort due to their strong prey drive.

The American Foxhound needs a lot of exercise. These dogs were bred to run for hours and need ample daily activity. Without it, they may become vocal, frustrated, or destructive.

Is the American Foxhound a good family dog? In most cases, they’re affectionate and gentle, though their energy level and vocal nature may require patience.

Here’s what to expect from American Foxhound characteristics:

Breed Characteristic	Level (High, Medium, Low)
Affectionate with People	High
Good with Kids	High
Good with Pets	Medium
Need for Exercise	High
Energy Level	High
Intelligence Level	Medium
Able to be Trained	Medium
Amount of Barking	High
Amount of Shedding	Medium

History of American Foxhounds

The American Foxhound is one of the oldest dog breeds developed in the United States. Its ancestors were English foxhounds brought to the colonies in the 1600s. Later, French hounds—gifted to George Washington by the Marquis de Lafayette—were added to the mix. Washington is often credited as a founding breeder of the American Foxhound.

The breed was developed for foxhunting on horseback across large tracts of land. They hunted in packs, using scent rather than sight to track prey. By the 1800s, distinct regional strains of foxhound had developed. The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886.

Today, American Foxhounds are still used for hunting in some parts of the United States, but many also live as cherished family pets.

American Foxhound Standard Information

The breed standard of the American Foxhound describes a dog built for endurance, speed, and agility in the field. This breed is lean, tall, and strongly muscled, combining grace with rugged functionality. Bred to hunt in packs over long distances, the American Foxhound is alert, eager, and determined. Its movement is fluid and ground-covering, reflecting stamina and drive.

Here is an overview of the breed standard information for American Foxhounds:

Head:

Slightly domed skull with moderate width
Muzzle is long, straight, and well-balanced with the skull
Eyes are large, wide-set, and brown or hazel with a gentle, pleading expression
Ears are long, broad, and set low; hang close to the head
Stop is moderately defined
Nose is large and open with well-developed nostrils
Teeth meet in a scissors bite

Neck, Topline, Body:

Neck is long, muscular, and clean, slightly arched
Chest is deep with well-sprung ribs, allowing ample lung capacity
Back is straight and strong, with a slight rise over the loin
Body is balanced and proportionate, built for stamina rather than bulk
Tail is set moderately high, carried gaily with a slight curve

Forequarters:

Shoulders are sloping and well-laid back
Forelegs are straight and well-boned
Elbows are close to the body
Feet are round and cat-like with well-arched toes and firm pads

Hindquarters:

Hindquarters are strong and muscular with good angulation
Thighs are broad and powerful
Hocks are well let down and parallel when viewed from the rear
Feet match the front—compact, round, and resilient

Coat:

Coat is short, dense, and hard to the touch
Flat-lying with no feathering
Weather-resistant and easy to maintain

Color:

All recognized hound colors are acceptable
Common variations include tri-color, black and tan, red and white, and lemon
No preference is given to color patterns

Gait:

Movement is effortless, smooth, and ground-covering
Displays strength, coordination, and flexibility
Tracks straight and moves with purpose and efficiency

The dog breed American Foxhound in a public park

Caring for American Foxhounds

Living with a foxhound means keeping up with their physical and emotional needs. These dogs love to move, sniff, socialize, and stay close to their people.

Best Living Environments:

Houses with fenced yards
Not well-suited for apartment life due to their size and vocal nature
Homes where they can be part of daily activity and not left alone for long
Environments with other dogs or lots of human interaction

Type of Exercise:

At least 60 minutes of daily exercise
Long walks, jogs, or fenced-in playtime
Opportunities to follow scents or explore new environments
Can benefit from structured activities like hiking or tracking work

Mental Enrichment:

Scent work and puzzle toys
Short training games
Playdates with other dogs
Rotating toys and supervised outdoor exploration

Training Strategies:

Respond well to positive reinforcement
May be distracted by scents
Socialization early on
Short, consistent, and engaging training sessions

Grooming Tips:

Weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush
Occasional baths as needed
Regular ear cleaning, nail trimming, and dental care
Quick coat checks after outdoor play to catch ticks or burrs

Want more grooming advice? Read our dog grooming tips.

Common Health Problems of American Foxhounds

The American Foxhound dog breed is generally hardy, but they can experience health concerns, such as:

Hip dysplasia
Ear infections caused by long ears trapping moisture
Obesity due to high food drive plus low activity
Blood clotting disorders, including Factor VII deficiency and thrombocytopathy
Bloat (GDV)
Degenerative myelopathy (a progressive, incurable spinal cord disease)
Minor injuries, such as scrapes or paw issues from outdoor adventures

Routine veterinary visits and regular preventive care can help your American Foxhound live a long and happy life.

Diet and Nutrition for American Foxhounds

Foxhounds are active dogs with healthy appetites. They do best on a balanced diet that supports their energy levels and maintains lean muscle.

Feeding Guidelines:

Puppies: Three or four meals per day
Adults: Two measured meals daily
Spaced feedings
Avoid feeding before or after exercise to reduce the risk of bloat
Use of slow feeders or puzzle bowls for fast eaters

Choose a high-quality dog food that is recommended by your veterinarinan. Monitor your dog’s weight and body condition, adjusting portions as needed. Supplements such as omega-3s or probiotics may be helpful for joint, coat, and digestive health. Talk to your vet before adding anything new.

Where to Adopt or Purchase American Foxhounds

Foxhounds may be available through breed-specific rescues or general animal shelters. Some hunting dogs are rehomed after retirement and adapt well to family life.

Where to look:

If buying from a breeder, ask about health screenings and meet the puppy’s parents. A responsible breeder can answer your questions and match you with a puppy that fits your lifestyle.

Related Breeds

If you love the American Foxhound’s energy and personality, you may also want to learn more about:

English Foxhounds: A stockier cousin with a similar temperament and hunting drive
Beagles: Smaller but also friendly, curious, and scent-driven
Treeing Walker Coonhounds: Shares foxhound ancestry with an added treeing instinct and a louder voice

These breeds share traits with the American Foxhound but with their own unique personality and care needs.

Pet Insurance for American Foxhounds

As energetic dogs with an adventurous streak, American Foxhounds benefit from pet insurance to help cover the cost of unexpected accidents or illnesses. Whether it’s a pulled muscle from too much running, a chronic ear infection, or a more serious condition, insurance can give you peace of mind.

Healthy Paws offers plans that cover: