What It’s Like Living With an American Foxhound
Sharing what it’s like leaving with this rare and sociable breed.
When I was looking for a dog to welcome into my home, I wasn’t set on a breed. All I knew was that I wanted a rescue. I grew up with a beagle, so I was a little biased toward any dogs that had similar features/colorings. When I saw my dog, Scooby, at an adoption event, I immediately fell for him.
The adoption group told me he was a hound mix, so I looked up traits of hounds in general before adopting. The organization already told me he interacted well with other people and dogs, and it seemed like he was very food-motivated and active.
After adopting him and introducing him to my parents, my dad immediately knew he was an American Foxhound-which was later confirmed by my vet.
American foxhounds were one of the earlier breeds developed in the US in 1650-George Washington was even known to have a pack of foxhounds! As a breed, they’re generally known for being friendly, active, stubborn, and vocal.
After living with him for four years now, I can say, I’ve grown more familiar with the breed. Scooby certainly matches it well. In this article, I wanted to share the traits he’s exemplified from the breed. Keep in mind dogs can be raised differently and have their personalities as well. I adopted Scooby when he was four years old, so he already adapted some behaviors before I began teaching him.
He has a lot of energy but wants to use it on his own time.
Scooby knows how to go 100% or not at all. He’ll race around the room with a toy one moment, then sprawl on a blanket pile the next. While some sites claim that American Foxhounds are great jogging partners, Scooby gets distracted too easily to go on a consistent jog. If he smells a scent he wants to follow or hears a noise that spooks him, Scooby will immediately stop or turn in another direction. It helps that I can jog with him in brief spurts though!
My foxhound also gets bored of the same routes. If I try to take him around the neighborhood too often without a day or two at a different trail, he’ll simply sit down and refuse to walk. He needs new scents to entice him.
When I saw him at the shelter, they mentioned he was an escape artist. I don’t leave him in fenced-in areas unsupervised, but he does know how to jump! I wouldn’t be surprised if he could leap over a fence if it was low enough. While I don’t think he would want to escape, he’ll easily get wrapped up in a scent trail. His favorite things about walks are the scents, so he’s not an off-leash dog.
He gets along with everyone-especially kids.
Scooby LOVES people-he used to even skip by dogs to ask for attention from their owners. He gets a little overexcited to see people at times and will whine for strangers or jump on people-but he settles down when he sees kids. He’s very gentle with them.
He also gets along well with other pets. He typically isn’t as interactive with them, but he does enjoy a quick sniff and greet with other dogs. My family used to have an older beagle, and Scooby would be sure to greet him in his bed every morning. He even gets along with my cat. They tend to keep to themselves, but they do get together to beg for food. Plus, I catch them snoozing near each other often.
Although he is very sweet, Scooby also doesn’t get intimidated by other pets. One of my parents’ previous neighbors had an aggressive dog that would get loose occasionally. He barked at Scooby, and Scooby barked right back. That dog stopped coming into our property, even though it had no qualms chasing other neighbors (some with smaller dogs) down the street.
He hates being alone.
Going off the previous topic, Scooby does not like to be alone. Fortunately, I work from home and can spend lots of time with him. He originally had separation anxiety and would cry every time I left, but now I think he understands that I’m coming back. If I do have to be out most of the day, I get someone to stop in and give him attention.
He also likes it when we have a larger group to walk with, and he’ll stop to sniff everyone at times to see how they’re doing throughout the walk.
He has a voice and loves to use it.
My dog is a talker for sure. If he sees any wildlife outside (especially deer), he’ll start barking. Even if he’s not being loud, he’ll make little noises of confirmation when you speak to him. Fortunately, he has adjusted well and stays pretty quiet in my apartment. This might not be the case for all foxhounds though-they’re known to be howlers!
He could eat food all day.
Simply ask my vet-Scooby was originally rather skinny, but he soon had to be put on a stricter diet. He gets a cup of food in the morning and a cup at night. I’ve opted to give him snacks of low-calorie veggies (like carrots and green beans) to keep him in shape. He is highly food-motivated. Although he’s stubborn, he will always listen to you if you have a treat in your hand.
This may be due to how he spent the first four years of his life (this may have been how he got his food), but he scavenges his way to any food that’s within his reach. If you leave him unsupervised with a trash bag, he’ll tear it open and find some scraps. He’s not picky at all.
He’s not a fan of scary noises.
Look, I named him Scooby for a reason. He is easily spooked. He seemed to be used to rural surroundings, so when we’re out adventuring near cars and people, he can become startled easily. Sometimes he freezes, sometimes he tries to bolt.
He doesn’t require much grooming.
Foxhounds have short hair, so they don’t require extensive grooming for their coat. Scooby occasionally gets a bath and gets brushed from time to time. He does enough walking that his nails don’t need trims often/if at all. He also routinely gets dental treats and his teeth brushed, which is important for any dog.
The main concern I’ve experienced with Scooby is his ears. They’re floppy and susceptible to ear infections. I have to wipe them regularly, and then give him ear treatments when he does get an infection.
Scooby’s fondness for food also comes in handy here…offer him a snack, and he’ll let you do anything. He’s an angel to work with at home and at the vet.
In my experience with Scooby, American Foxhounds certainly come with a lot of work and patience. For me, it’s completely worth it. I’m a strong advocate for rescues, and since adopting Scooby, I have seen foxhounds at different shelters (they even seem to get confused as a beagle, so I’ve seen them in beagle-specific rescues).
Of course, each dog has their individual personality and adapts behaviors based on how they are brought up, but its breed can tell you a lot about them!
