The American Foxhound: A Breed with the Best of Everything

The first President of the United States was the father of the country. He was also famous for being a father of something else: The father of the American Foxhound. The American Foxhound first came on the scene in the 18^th Century.

The story goes that George Washington had many hounds and loved hunting. The English Foxhound was one of many hunting dogs Washington had enjoyed. George's friend, the Marquis de Lafayette, gave him French Foxhounds which were bred with its English cousins; the result being the American Foxhound.

Room to roam

The American Foxhound is a faster version than the English and they're also taller. They look like a Beagle on steroids. They are great pack dogs. The dog is friendly and makes for a great pet - as long as you have room for them to roam.

The first American Foxhound I knew was Bo, who is the family dog for Christian Lazo Winery. I came into contact with the affable Bo while helping to bottle wine. What a horse of a dog as his head must have come up to my waist. They say they're energetic and this dog was every bit that; plus because of his size, he could run quite fast. He was not the most attentive, meaning he didn't necessarily come when you called. But what a pleasant dog he is.

The American Foxhound was one of the first dogs to be registered by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Interestingly, there's low registration of these hounds because they're owned by hunters who have little interest with AKC registration. So on paper, the American Foxhound is said to be one of the most unpopular breeds in the U.S.

It is said that the dog is a perfect companion for someone who wants to run outside. Since American Foxhounds require plenty of exercise and their size allows them to gait so easily, they are an ideal animal for jogging and recreational activities, especially considering their easy demeanor.

The American Foxhound is a relatively unknown dog but in view of their gentle manners, this is a excellent animal for anyone in need of a great pet with lots of room to ramble like our areas here in wine country on the Central Coast of California. Check them out - you might be surprised.

Sources - AKC, Animal Planet, TerrificPets.com