PETacular Magazine is a quarterly Gazette publication featuring stories sponsored by pet businesses and organizations in the Pikes Peak region.
One of America’s native breeds, the American Foxhound is also one of our rarest. This tall hound sports a close, hard coat that can be any color. The Foxhound in this country is used for four purposes, thus calling for hounds of different characteristics: competitive field trial hounds and “trail” hounds (speed is most important), fox-hunting hounds (slow workers with good voices), and pack hounds (15 to 20 hounds or more, used by hunt clubs and farmers).
A Look Back
American Foxhounds developed from a line of dogs that were transported from England to the American colonies in 1650 by Robert Brooke, according to the researchers of the breed. Brooke eventually established a breeding and working pack of black-and-tan foxhounds in America. These hounds were the basis of several strains of American Hounds. Hounds from France and England were brought in to further develop the breed in the middle to late 1700s.
Right Breed for You?
This breed has the independent and stubborn streak that is found in other hound breeds as well. Their instinct is to hunt with little direction from humans. They won't automatically see why they have to do things differently. Foxhounds who've been raised with other dogs, rather than a human family, can be difficult to train because they've bonded more with their pack than with people. They will need time, attention, and training to help them get used to life as a family dog. Like all dogs, Foxhounds need to be socialized early in life and be exposed when young to many different people, dogs, sights, sounds, and experiences.
If you are considering purchasing an American Foxhound puppy, learn more at AKC.org.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc., Courtesy of AKC.org.
Your Privacy Choices