The American Foxhound standard awards a hundred points, fifteen of them for the feet alone. The entire head receives twenty. A breed standard could hardly state its priorities more clearly: a dog who covers long distances on their own feet.
| FCI | Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.1 Large-sized hounds, Standard No. 303, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 56 to 63.5 cm, females 53 to 61 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | a dense, harsh hound coat of medium length |
| Colours in the standard | all colours permitted |
Narrower than the English cousin
The standard itself compares the breed with the English Foxhound: the chest is deep but narrower in proportion to its depth. It gives a chest circumference of 71 cm for a dog standing 58 cm tall. Other features include a broad, rounded skull, a straight muzzle and cat-like feet with strong nails and tough pads. The FCI definitively recognised this US breed in 1979; the German standard dates from 1998.
A standard without a temperament section
The text says almost nothing about character. It mentions only the mild, gentle hound expression of the large brown eyes and excludes aggressive or overly shy dogs. There is no more. What can be inferred comes from the breed’s work as a scent hound: following a trail tirelessly and noisily, without waiting for you. For dogs who hunt in groups, company usually matters more than a comfortable bed.
Hips built for powerful drive
The hindquarters section calls for strong, muscular hips and thighs providing very powerful drive. In everyday life, that means several hours of exercise daily, preferably varied: running beside a bicycle once fully grown, tracking on a long line and dog pulling sports. Allow free running only in fenced areas.
Harsh coat, little work
The dense, harsh, medium-length coat protects against weather and needs only a weekly grooming mitt. Long ears with thin leather lie close to the head; regular checks help prevent inflammation. Pay attention to the feet: if the standard awards them so many points, pads and claws deserve attention after a run too.
Little knowledge about health
A reliable lifespan figure is unavailable. McMillan and colleagues list the American Foxhound in their UK study but did not analyse it. A large genetic screening panel by Donner and colleagues (2016) included exactly one American Foxhound, carrying one variant each for factor VII deficiency and catalase deficiency. One dog tells us nothing about the breed. American studies on leishmaniosis in foxhounds do not distinguish breeds, so they are excluded here.
A dog for open space
Suitable if you spend plenty of time outdoors, enjoy physical activity and perhaps already have another dog. Long working days in a city flat will leave this breed unhappy, and anyone expecting off-lead obedience will be disappointed. With space, exercise and company, the Foxhound shows why those feet earn so many points.
Choosing this kind of scent hound is a commitment for years. The breed quiz offers an initial check, and “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) a thorough one. The Puppy Starter Pack covers the important first weeks. Hound markings get plenty of space on a magazine-cover canvas; find more ideas among our dog portraits.
Further reading
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached, and what that means day to day
- Leaving your dog alone: a step-by-step plan without drama
- Is my dog overweight? Assessing body condition and ideal weight
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 303 American Foxhound (fci.be, German and English versions dated 05.03.1998, valid original standard dated 02.11.1979); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed but not analysed); Donner J et al., Genetic Panel Screening of Nearly 100 Mutations Reveals New Insights into the Breed Distribution of Risk Variants for Canine Hereditary Disorders, PLoS One 2016; Gin TE et al., Demographics and travel history of imported and autochthonous cases of leishmaniosis in dogs in the United States and Canada, 2006 to 2019, 2021 (not separated by breed).
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