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AKC: American Foxhound breed overview

Hound group · United States

American Foxhound

Also called Foxhound, Virginia Hound

America's own pack hound, bred for all-day stamina and a voice that carries across whole valleys.

The American Foxhound is a lean, long-legged scent hound developed in colonial Virginia and Maryland to hunt foxes across rough country. It is gentle, sociable and happiest with other dogs, but it has enormous stamina, a powerful nose and a loud bay. It is one of the rarest breeds as a family pet, largely because it needs so much space and exercise.

Original AI-generated breed illustration

Weight

27 to 34 kg

59 to 75 lb

Height

53 to 64 cm

at the shoulder

Life expectancy

11 to 13 yrs

Activity estimate

120 to 150 min

editorial daily planning range

Adult-size estimate

18 months

approximate model input

Life with a American Foxhound

The American Foxhound's story begins in 1650, when Robert Brooke sailed from England to Maryland with his pack of hounds. Over the next century, colonists crossed English hounds with French and Irish imports to create a faster, rangier dog able to cope with American terrain and run down the gray fox and, later, the faster red fox.

George Washington was among the breed's early champions. He kept a pack at Mount Vernon, recorded breeding details in his diaries and received French hounds as a gift from the Marquis de Lafayette. Virginia made the breed its state dog in 1966, and it remains a working hound first, especially in the southern and eastern United States.

Several types grew from the same roots: fast, competitive field trial hounds, pack hounds kept by mounted hunts, trail hounds raced along drag scents, and show hounds. Most American Foxhounds still live in kennels as part of a pack, registered with hunting associations rather than kennel clubs, which is one reason so few appear in pet homes.

As companions, they are gentle, sweet-natured and sociable, used to sharing space with other dogs, and usually easy with children. But they were bred to follow a scent for hours, and that drive does not switch off. Indoors they can be relaxed sofa dogs, provided they have had a long run and live behind a secure fence.

A great match for

rural homes with space
owners who run or hike
homes with other dogs
hunting and pack hound enthusiasts

Think twice if

loud, carrying bay
unreliable recall
strong urge to follow a scent
needs a lot of daily exercise
can be slow to house-train

Personality and needs at a glance

Living together

Good with children

Good with other dogs

Open with strangers

Apartment friendly

Copes with alone time

Energy and character

Energy level

Playfulness

Easy to train

Barking

5 means very vocal

Care and climate

Grooming needs

Shedding

Drooling

Handles cold

Handles heat

How much an American Foxhound eats

Illustrative calculations for neutered adults at midpoint breed weights, with food at 370 kcal per 100 g and 100 g per cup. These are not measured breed requirements. Use actual weight, the food label and veterinary body-condition advice.

Dog	Weight	Calories	Dry food
Female, relaxed lifestyle	29 kg	1210 kcal	325 g (3.3 cups)
Female, typical pet	29 kg	1380 kcal	375 g (3.8 cups)
Male, typical pet	32 kg	1490 kcal	400 g (4 cups)
Male, very active	32 kg	1860 kcal	505 g (5 cups)

Full American Foxhound feeding guide Calculate for my dog

Care guides for the American Foxhound

Feeding5 cups, split into two meals. Hounds hunting through the season may need considerably more, while pet hounds with moderate exercise need less.Read more Puppy growthPuppies grow quickly and usually reach adult height at around 12 months, then fill out until 18 to 24 months. A 12-week-old puppy often weighs 8 to 11 kg (18 to 24 lb), and the long legs make adolescents look gangly for a while.Read more ExerciseAmerican Foxhounds need 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day, and they have the stamina to run far longer. They enjoy running alongside a bike, hiking, trail work and anything that lets them use their nose.Read more GroomingGrooming is minimal. A weekly brush with a hound glove or rubber curry removes loose hair and keeps the coat glossy, and shedding is moderate all year.Read more TrainingAmerican Foxhounds are intelligent but independent, bred to work in a pack with little direction from people. They respond to patient training with food rewards and cheerful praise, in short sessions.Read more HealthAmerican Foxhounds are generally healthy, hardy dogs. Hip dysplasia occurs, ear infections are common because of the drop ears, and a platelet disorder (thrombopathy) that affects blood clotting has been reported in some lines.Read more

Things owners are often surprised by

1Robert Brooke brought a pack of English hounds to Maryland in 1650, one of the breed's earliest foundations
2George Washington bred foxhounds at Mount Vernon and kept detailed notes on his hounds
3Named the state dog of Virginia in 1966
4Taller, lighter and longer-legged than the English Foxhound, suited to rough terrain
5Well-known strains include Walker, July, Trigg and Goodman hounds

American Foxhound questions

What is the difference between an American Foxhound and an English Foxhound?

Compared with its English cousin, the American Foxhound is taller, lighter and longer-legged, built for speed over rough ground and for hunting alone or in small groups. The English Foxhound is sturdier, heavier-boned and bred to work in large packs with mounted hunts. Both share the same ancestors, and both have a strong voice, stamina and a sociable nature with other dogs.

How loud is an American Foxhound's bay?

Very loud. Foxhounds were bred to be heard by hunters over long distances, and their bell-like bay can carry across a valley. Many bay when they pick up a scent, when excited or when left alone. That makes them a poor match for close neighbors or thin walls, and most owners accept some noise as part of the breed.

Can an American Foxhound be a house pet?

Yes, in the right home. Foxhounds can be relaxed, affectionate companions indoors, but they need a lot of exercise, a secure garden and patience with training. Rural or suburban homes with space suit them best. Adopting an adult from a hunt kennel or hound rescue is common, and many settle well into family life.

Why are American Foxhounds so rare?

Most American Foxhounds are bred and kept as working pack hounds, and many are registered with hunting associations rather than kennel clubs. As a result, kennel club registrations are very low, and the breed often ranks near the bottom of AKC popularity lists. Its high exercise needs and loud voice also limit its appeal as a companion.

Are American Foxhounds good with other dogs?

Usually very good. Bred to live and hunt in packs, they tend to be sociable and relaxed with other dogs, and many are happiest sharing a home with another hound. Small pets such as rabbits or cats are a different matter, because their chase instinct is strong. Introductions to small animals should be careful and supervised.

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