The American FoxHound It is a breed of hound dog native to Europe, but developed and differentiated in the United States. He has an athletic, friendly look and a loyalty and adaptability that has opened the door to many homes for him as a companion pet.
Like all hounds have strong hunting instincts and a very distinctive sociable character. Among the most important needs of the American FoxHound is its energy that needs to be channeled preferably through daily walks.
From
With patient training this breed can become an excellent companion pet, especially for owners with very active lifestyles. Its friendly and loyal character makes the experience of living with this animal unique and incomparable.
El FoxHound or American Fox Hunting Dog It is a breed of hound whose most direct ancestor is the English FoxHound. These hounds arrived on the new continent in the mid-XNUMXth century brought by Robert Brooke, administrator of the British colony. The Brooke pack was the origin of many breeds of American hunting dogs. The European tradition of hunting foxes continued in the American colonies and was maintained after independence. It was at this time that the standards of the American FoxHound breed were defined., thus separating him from his English ancestor.
In the middle of the XNUMXth century the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound variety became known as a separate breed and by the end of the same century the native breed became known as the American FoxHound which is currently the breed of dog of the state of Virginia.
Physical characteristics of the American FoxHound
The American FoxHound is a large-sized hound. Females are usually a little smaller measuring a minimum of 53 cm and a maximum of 61. On the other hand, males reach a maximum of 64 cm and a minimum of 56 in height at the withers and the weight of these dogs is between 30 and 35 kilograms.
The head is medium with a long, somewhat square snout and prominent nostrils. The eyes are large, well separated, expressive, hazel or brown in color.. The ears are set high, long and hanging, rounded towards the ends.
The body is tall with a light, strong and athletic appearance. The back is muscular and slightly arched, the chest is deep and narrow, the front and rear extremities are strong and long, the tail is set high, curved and always held high without falling on the back. The coat is medium short, bushy and soft in texture tan, brown and black in color mixed with white markings of different shapes and sizes.
Temperament and education
In regards to the character, the American FoxHound is similar to the English for being a hound is extremely dynamic, sociable and curious. He has a great mastery of tracking traces and is extremely friendly. This dog's barking does not go unnoticed, but he uses it more to attract attention than as an alarm and responds effectively to training with positive reinforcement.
You absolutely need to expend energy in this way, not only your health but also your mood is balanced. They require company and loneliness does not suit them. They must start their education from puppies interacting with people and other animals, enjoy mental stimulation and walks and if they are alone for a long time they get nervous, bark excessively and become depressed.
While the FoxHound is a puppy it requires a lot of patience. At this stage he is extremely restless and playful with little attention. The main thing is to teach him to urinate in the places that the owner determines. As the pet matures, the basic commands (sitting, still, lying) will be taught only with positive reinforcement such as rewards, caresses, kind words, etc. He does not respond positively to any type of negative reinforcement as it significantly unbalances his character.
Care and health
The FoxHound is a breed with an average longevity between 10 and 12 years in good care conditions. It is considered a fairly healthy breed and it is practically free of genetic diseases. Basic care is summarized in following the following recommendations:
- Semiannual or annual veterinary control.
- Keep vaccinations up to date.
- Apply dewormers according to veterinary recommendation.
- Bathe them every six to eight weeks.
- Brush the coat and twice a week.
- Use hygiene and care products exclusively for the breed.
- In urban spaces it requires 3 to 4 daily walks.
- In rural areas, games of agility and stimulation of smell.
- Take care of the hygiene of the ears to avoid infections.
- Take care of the hygiene of the eyes since it is their most sensitive aspect.
- Offer them bones and biscuits to clean the teeth and brush them according to the veterinarian's recommendations.
- Provide them with a quality food with an equivalence of 85% animal protein and 15% vitamins and minerals. The daily rations for puppies are three and for adults two, always having an equivalence with energy expenditure and avoiding overweight.
Recommendations and curiosities
This breed is very active and due to its characteristics of a hound, if you are interested in following a trail, you will not hesitate to go after it. For this reason, they can lose so it is better to make sure they are well protected and have enough space to play. If he manages to catch a prey, he will take it to its owner as a trophy. This includes mice, squirrels, and rabbits.
A female can have litters of 10 or 0 cubs. The female should feed very well during and while the young have not been weaned. The weaning process will take place around three months. The ancestor of the American FoxHound, the English, was the first breed to be scientifically bred. It is advisable to acquire the puppies in certified breeders and have all the pedigree requirements in order.
If the pet is not well trained, it is best to walk it on a leash. In urban areas this breed usually generates complaints because they are noisy, barking and drawing attention has been part of their training for generations, so you will have to educate yourself very well to control the barking. Physical activity at the American FoxHound is very important. Unlike other breeds, it will require up to four walks a day to drain its enormous amount of energy. Your scouting instinct can expose you to ear mites or parasites so it should be checked continuously.