There are two Foxhound breeds - the American Foxhound and the English Foxhound. These breeds are related to each other and only display minor differences in looks and temperament, with American Foxhounds being a bit slimmer in build.
Both types of Foxhounds have been bred for hunting and make excellent hunters, who can chase prey for hours. They are best kept as hunting dogs as they are not well suited to just being family dogs. They can hunt for up to six hours in one go and their sheer energy is amazing. As a pure pet you simply cannot guarantee that your Foxhound will get the amount of exercise and mental stimulation they need to be happy. The American Foxhound is the faster and more agile hunter.
English Foxhounds are also known for their love, devotion and closeness to their owners. They are friendly and loving towards both other dogs and humans. American Foxhounds, on the other hand, have a mind of their own and can be either wary of strangers or over-the-top loving. It all depends on the person they meet and if they feel the need to protect their owner from them.
With both Foxhound breeds, their coat is easy to maintain, requiring only a brush and wash once in a while.
Weight: | 29-34 kg |
Health risk: | Medium |
Life expectancy: | 10-12 years |
Coat: | Short |
Grooming intensity: | Low |
Monthly cost (food): | high |
Trainability: | Medium |
Activity level: | Medium |
There are many sources to get your Foxhound (English/ American) from. Considering the number of homeless dogs without a future, we strongly encourage you to consider rescuing a dog. Your local shelter or rescue organisation can be a helpful place to start, or try contacting your local or national breed club or a reputable breeder and asking if they have pets available for rehoming. Many rescue organisations have active Facebook pages, which can also be a good place to enquire.
Here are some links that could be useful for finding a Foxhound (English/ American) to adopt:
To help your rescued Foxhound (English/ American) to settle into your home, our Rescue Dog Guide gives you tips and advice on bringing your rescue dog home.
If you decide you’d prefer to get your Foxhound (English/ American) from a breeder, the following guides will help you to find a responsible breeder:
The following organisations will be able to help you find breeders in your state in Australia. They will also be able to connect you with your local breed clubs, which are always a great source of information in regards to finding good breeders and rescue organisations.