Post by DogGoneGood on Mar 9, 2009 22:08:54 GMT -5
Group: II - Hounds
Origin: United States of America
Date of Origin: 1800s
Purpose: Trailing Fox and Rabbits
The American Foxhound is taller and lighter boned than its European counterpart, although until this century new blood was routinely introduced from Europe. When working, it tends to act individually, rather than in a group, with each dog willing to take the lead. Each of these strong-willed dogs has a distinct voice, which can be recognized by its owner. Fox hunting varies in form across the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. In northern states it follows traditional European patterns - hunting takes place during the day and the fox is killed. In southern states a hunt may take place day or night, and the chase is most important - the fox is not necessarily killed.
Coat and Colour:
A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Any colour.
Head:
Skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium
broad and full. Muzzle of fair length, straight and square cut, the stop moderately defined. Eyes large, set well apart, soft and hound-like, expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or hazel colour. Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the tip of the nose; fine in texture, fairly broad, with almost entire absence of erectile power, setting close to the head with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek, round at tip.
Neck:
Neck rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds of skin, a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, is allowable.
Forequarters:
Shoulders sloping - clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded - conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength. Forelegs straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight. Feet fox-like. Pad full and hard. Well-arched toes. Strong nails.
Hindquarters:
Hips and thighs, strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical, and moderately bent. Feet close and firm.
Body:
Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Chest should be deep for lung space, narrower in proportion to depth than the English hound: 28 inches (71 cm) (girth) in a 23 inches (58 cm) hound being good. Wellsprung ribs - back ribs should extend well back - a 3 inch (8 cm) flank allowing springiness. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Tail:
Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with slight curve; with very slight brush.
Faults:
A short thin coat, or of a soft quality. A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome; eyes small, sharp, and terrier-like, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long and snipey, cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-faced expression. Ears short, set on high, or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin. A thick, short cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed throatiness. Straight, upright shoulders, out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked. Feet long, open or spreading. Very long or swayed or roached back. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth. Flat ribs. Flat, narrow loins. Cow-hocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet. A long tail. Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail, entire absence of brush.
Size:
Dogs should not be under 22 inches or over 25 inches (56-64 cm).
Bitches should not be under 21 inches or over 24 inches (53-61 cm) measured across the back at the point of the withers, the hound standing in a natural position with his feet well under him.
Temperament:
The American Foxhound is sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving at a home. As with all hounds they need careful training, constant socialization, and owners who are willing to give them ample exercise: a bored foxhound will find ways to keep themselves entertained and can be very destructive, some examples of destruction include everything from scratching at doors to tearing apart objects and, being rather long, they have the ability to take things from counter-tops. If routine walks are not an option, access to a secure yard is a good alternative; however the best option would be constant access via a dog door and a secure yard.
Intelligent creatures as they are, many foxhounds quickly learn to open gates or scale small fences to go wandering. While on the hunt the foxhound is a warrior, once a scent is picked up he or she will follow it neglecting any commands. Because their hunting instinct is strong they should never be trusted off-lead. Foxhounds are rarely street savvy and will follow a scent trail into the street where they could get hit by a car.
Foxhounds are easy to live with and thrive as members of a family; however, they are not ideal apartment dogs and shouldn't be left alone indoors for extended periods of time. They do however, get along very well with children, especially small children; although one must always keep an eye when children and animals are interacting as it is not beyond any animal to bite or claw when they feel they are threatened.
Foxhounds do not make good watchdogs; while more skittish hounds may howl when they see a newcomer, more often than not they will greet the newcomer affectionately hoping for treats or scratches behind the ears. This is due to centuries of breeding; any hound that growled or bared its teeth at its master would not be bred or in some cases put down.
Most scent hounds are bred to give "voice". Foxhounds are not nuisance barkers but they do have loud, deep voices that carry a great distance. Although most people love the sound, many urban or suburban neighbors do not appreciate the deep barks or melodious howling of a foxhound.
They cannot be expected to act like retrievers because, though affectionate, they are independent by nature. Although a few foxhounds have been trained in obedience, most will not follow commands unless it suits them. Training a foxhound can be a trying experience, training a retired foxhound that grew up in a Fox Hunt can be even worse, they can be stubborn and don’t respond to negative reinforcement well.
Health:
This breed is not generally a breed that carries genetic disorders. Overfeeding these dogs can easily cause them to gain weight. A minor health risk in American Foxhounds is thrombocytopathy, or platelet disease. While dysplasia was largely unknown in Foxhounds, it is beginning to crop up occasionally, along with some eye issues. It is not typical or customary for Foxhound breeders to screen for any hereditary disorders at this time.
The American Foxhound is an energetic breed. According to some veterinarians and trainers, it needs plenty of exercise, for example, a fairly long walk followed by a game of fetch.
Life Expectancy:
11 - 13 Years
History:
The first pack of working English Foxhounds arrived in America from Great Britain in 1650. Kerry Beagle-type Irish hounds and French hounds helped create today's lean and fast breed.
Sources:
Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - American Foxhound
The New Encyclopedia Of the DOG by Bruce Fogle DVM Page 178
Wikipedia - American Foxhound
Origin: United States of America
Date of Origin: 1800s
Purpose: Trailing Fox and Rabbits
The American Foxhound is taller and lighter boned than its European counterpart, although until this century new blood was routinely introduced from Europe. When working, it tends to act individually, rather than in a group, with each dog willing to take the lead. Each of these strong-willed dogs has a distinct voice, which can be recognized by its owner. Fox hunting varies in form across the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. In northern states it follows traditional European patterns - hunting takes place during the day and the fox is killed. In southern states a hunt may take place day or night, and the chase is most important - the fox is not necessarily killed.
Coat and Colour:
A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Any colour.
Head:
Skull should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with cranium
broad and full. Muzzle of fair length, straight and square cut, the stop moderately defined. Eyes large, set well apart, soft and hound-like, expression gentle and pleading; of a brown or hazel colour. Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the tip of the nose; fine in texture, fairly broad, with almost entire absence of erectile power, setting close to the head with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek, round at tip.
Neck:
Neck rising free and light from the shoulders, strong in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from folds of skin, a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, is allowable.
Forequarters:
Shoulders sloping - clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded - conveying the idea of freedom of action with activity and strength. Forelegs straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight. Feet fox-like. Pad full and hard. Well-arched toes. Strong nails.
Hindquarters:
Hips and thighs, strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical, and moderately bent. Feet close and firm.
Body:
Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Chest should be deep for lung space, narrower in proportion to depth than the English hound: 28 inches (71 cm) (girth) in a 23 inches (58 cm) hound being good. Wellsprung ribs - back ribs should extend well back - a 3 inch (8 cm) flank allowing springiness. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Tail:
Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with slight curve; with very slight brush.
Faults:
A short thin coat, or of a soft quality. A very flat skull, narrow across the top; excess of dome; eyes small, sharp, and terrier-like, or prominent and protruding; muzzle long and snipey, cut away decidedly below the eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-faced expression. Ears short, set on high, or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin. A thick, short cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed throatiness. Straight, upright shoulders, out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs crooked. Feet long, open or spreading. Very long or swayed or roached back. Chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth. Flat ribs. Flat, narrow loins. Cow-hocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power. Open feet. A long tail. Teapot curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail, entire absence of brush.
Size:
Dogs should not be under 22 inches or over 25 inches (56-64 cm).
Bitches should not be under 21 inches or over 24 inches (53-61 cm) measured across the back at the point of the withers, the hound standing in a natural position with his feet well under him.
Temperament:
The American Foxhound is sweet, kind, loyal, and very loving at a home. As with all hounds they need careful training, constant socialization, and owners who are willing to give them ample exercise: a bored foxhound will find ways to keep themselves entertained and can be very destructive, some examples of destruction include everything from scratching at doors to tearing apart objects and, being rather long, they have the ability to take things from counter-tops. If routine walks are not an option, access to a secure yard is a good alternative; however the best option would be constant access via a dog door and a secure yard.
Intelligent creatures as they are, many foxhounds quickly learn to open gates or scale small fences to go wandering. While on the hunt the foxhound is a warrior, once a scent is picked up he or she will follow it neglecting any commands. Because their hunting instinct is strong they should never be trusted off-lead. Foxhounds are rarely street savvy and will follow a scent trail into the street where they could get hit by a car.
Foxhounds are easy to live with and thrive as members of a family; however, they are not ideal apartment dogs and shouldn't be left alone indoors for extended periods of time. They do however, get along very well with children, especially small children; although one must always keep an eye when children and animals are interacting as it is not beyond any animal to bite or claw when they feel they are threatened.
Foxhounds do not make good watchdogs; while more skittish hounds may howl when they see a newcomer, more often than not they will greet the newcomer affectionately hoping for treats or scratches behind the ears. This is due to centuries of breeding; any hound that growled or bared its teeth at its master would not be bred or in some cases put down.
Most scent hounds are bred to give "voice". Foxhounds are not nuisance barkers but they do have loud, deep voices that carry a great distance. Although most people love the sound, many urban or suburban neighbors do not appreciate the deep barks or melodious howling of a foxhound.
They cannot be expected to act like retrievers because, though affectionate, they are independent by nature. Although a few foxhounds have been trained in obedience, most will not follow commands unless it suits them. Training a foxhound can be a trying experience, training a retired foxhound that grew up in a Fox Hunt can be even worse, they can be stubborn and don’t respond to negative reinforcement well.
Health:
This breed is not generally a breed that carries genetic disorders. Overfeeding these dogs can easily cause them to gain weight. A minor health risk in American Foxhounds is thrombocytopathy, or platelet disease. While dysplasia was largely unknown in Foxhounds, it is beginning to crop up occasionally, along with some eye issues. It is not typical or customary for Foxhound breeders to screen for any hereditary disorders at this time.
The American Foxhound is an energetic breed. According to some veterinarians and trainers, it needs plenty of exercise, for example, a fairly long walk followed by a game of fetch.
Life Expectancy:
11 - 13 Years
History:
The first pack of working English Foxhounds arrived in America from Great Britain in 1650. Kerry Beagle-type Irish hounds and French hounds helped create today's lean and fast breed.
Sources:
Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - American Foxhound
The New Encyclopedia Of the DOG by Bruce Fogle DVM Page 178
Wikipedia - American Foxhound
