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American Foxhound
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Overview
American Foxhounds are a little bit lighter and faster than their English cousins. They were the favored hunting dog of George Washington, so they have a noble American past. Today, they are most popular as pack hunting dogs in the American south, their place of origin. They stand about 2 feet tall, but females are slightly shorter. American Foxhounds weigh between 45 and 65 pounds.
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Personality
American Foxhounds have a reputation for treating themselves. They're known to love food, and they'll eat to their heart's content if you let them. As a result, they can put on weight rather quickly without a controlled died and frequent exercise. They love to run, chase and howl, so lots of outdoor playtime will keep them healthy, happy and well-behaved indoors. They have an extremely sharp sense of smell, which is even more effective than their English cousins', which means they can trail a cold scent and work very quickly in the field. As a result, they're also quite active escapists outdoors and they can effective sniff out the trash or the dirty laundry indoors. To keep them polite and well-behaved, make sure they receive enough exercise and learn good manners through firm, consistent training. These dogs are friendly and inquisitive. Although they are affectionate with their owners and bond closely to their "hunting leader," they tend to form closer bonds with other dogs than with humans because they were bred to work in packs.
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Coat Care
The coat is smooth and close-fitting. It should be of either short or medium length and hard to the touch to protect the American Foxhound from hazards in the field. Even though they are most frequently seen in bicolor or tricolor patterns that resemble the Beagle's characteristic coat, their coat actually comes in a variety of colors. Commonly, their coats are tan, white, lemon, black, brown or blue.
Brushing
Their hound coat needs little grooming other than a brushing with a firm rubber bristle brush to help reduce shedding and remove any dirt that has collected in the coat.
Bathing
If their coat becomes stinky, it's time for a bath, but otherwise they keep themselves tidy.
Hair Clipping
Clipping or trimming your dog’s coat is far easier than you would ever imagine. With the right clipper, trimmer and scissors, giving your dog a haircut is easy on your wallet and your schedule.
Most dogs with short coats generally require occasional trims and tidying up in areas of excessive hair growth with trimmers or blunt scissors. It's always wise to take a dog for a short walk or exercise to calm them down before trimming. Remember to brush the coat first to remove tangles and mats. Use a trimmer or a scissors to even out areas around the tail, paws, sanitary areas and chest, as needed. When finished, the coat should lay flat and smooth against the body of most short-haired dogs.
Nails
Many dog owners are apprehensive about trimming their dog’s nails because they are nervous about cutting into the quick. But with the right conditioning and careful cutting, nail clipping can be a simple, stress-free activity for you and your dog.
Provide your dog with plenty of positive reinforcement and even treats to help associate nail clipping with a positive experience. As you start to clip, gently press on your dog’s paws to help him become accustomed to the feeling of having his nails clipped. Then, work gradually, shaving down just a thin portion of the nail at first to make sure you don’t reach the quick. Clip one nail, reward your dog with a treat, and stop to give him some positive reinforcement before moving on. Gradually increase the number of nails you clip in one sitting to help your dog get used to the process. Never trim extremely long nails down to a short nail in one sitting, because this is an excellent way to accidently quick the dog’s nail. Instead, work gradually, shaving small portions of your dog’s nails off each time.
You can tell if you’re getting close to the quick by the texture of your dog’s nail. The nail is hard closer to the surface and becomes softer as you get closer to the quick. If your dog’s nail starts to feel softer, that’s a good indication that you’re getting close to the quick.
Eyes / Ears
Like all hounds, their floppy ears need to be checked and cleaned out weekly to prevent infection.
Teeth
Many owners do not realize how important it is to brush your pet’s teeth on a regular basis. Some dogs are prone to dental problems and sensitive teeth, especially small dogs with tiny teeth and dogs with special diets. These problems can be easily combatted with frequent brushing.
Cavities are rare with dogs but gum disease caused by tartar buildup is not, which is why they require regular brushing with toothpaste and a toothbrush formulated specifically for dogs. While daily brushing is ideal, doing so on a weekly basis will be a big help in avoiding the need to bring your dog to a veterinarian for a cleaning, which usually has to be done under sedation.