American Foxhound

The American Foxhound is one of the first and few breeds to originate in the United States.  Their name is borrowed from the English Foxhound who was known as a fox hunting pack dog throughout western Europe.  The first American Foxhounds were brought to the Americas in the mid-1600s and were established as a black-and-tan variety.  The working pack of Robert Brooke was the ancestral group for all current-day American hounds, including the Foxhound's cousins, the Coonhounds. In the 1700s, French hound imports, which were slightly larger than this tracker, were brought in to increase the Foxhound's size.  Most notable for record-keeping on breed selection is first President of the United States, George Washington, who bred and hunted with Foxhounds throughout his life.  Once established as a larger breed, Irish-descended hounds were later imported in the 1830s to increase the speed of this dog.  Today's American Foxhound is an all-American, having been crossed with English, French, and Irish hounds. This agile canine was originally bred as a pack hunting dog, particularly for fox club hunting.  Today, the dog remains a pack hunter and favorite among American hunters for their speed and scenting abilities.  The American Kennel Club officially recognized the American Foxhound in 1886, but registration numbers remain extremely low for this breed.  However, they are one of the most popular of the "less popular" dogs because many owners do not register their pedigree. These dogs serve their owner as a member of large hunting packs and are often registered with the International Foxhunter's Studbook, published by The Chase.