Penn-Marydel Hound

44-64 lbs
21-24"
United States

The Penn-Marydel Hound is a variety of American Foxhound that was developed in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Deleware, from which its name was derived. This breed or strain of dog is a driven and enduring hunter when in pursuit of a fox or coyote with a deep bay that can be heard for miles, but they are generally playful and amicable at home. This particular variety of American Foxhound has been categorized as a separate breed by the Masters of Foxhounds Association since 2008 but is still listed as a line of the American Foxhounds with all of the major kennel clubs. 

purpose Purpose
Hunting Dog
history Date of Origin
1930's
ancestry Ancestry
American Foxhound

Penn-Marydel Hound Health

Average Size
Male Penn-Marydel Hound size stats
Height: 22-25 inches Weight: 64-75 lbs
Female Penn-Marydel Hound size stats
Height: 21-24 inches Weight: 44-64 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Minor Concerns
  • Deafness
  • Ear Health and Infection
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Eye Problems
Occasional Tests
  • BAER Testing
  • X-rays or other radiographic imaging
  • Eye and Ear Examination

Penn-Marydel Hound Breed History

The Penn-Marydel Hound is one of several varieties of Foxhound that was developed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries to more efficiently hunt the Red Fox and the Coyote. There were many different breeders throughout both the Eastern and the Southern states who were breeding foxhounds at this time, including the Running Walker strain and the Trigg strain out of Kentucky, and the July Hound, developed in Georgia from a pup bred and born in Maryland. During this time, a strain of American Foxhounds from the Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware area began to emerge as notable hunters and starting in 1934 the Penn-Marydel Association was formed to preserve the bloodline. The original stud book for these dogs goes back to 1933, and in order for a dog to be considered a registered Penn-Marydel Hound, these dogs need to be able to trace back at least five generations of breeding in that studbook. In the early part of the 2000s, breeders began working with the Masters of Foxhounds Association, who holds the stud books for hunting hounds across the U.S, in order to determine what rules were required to have the Penn-Marydel listed as a purebred dog of its own rather than a specific strain of American Foxhound. While the Penn-Marydel is not listed as a separate breed by any of the major kennel clubs and is considered to be a specific strain within the American Foxhounds, the Masters of Foxhounds Association began registering them as a separate breed in the year 2008. 

Penn-Marydel Hound Breed Appearance

The Penn-Marydel Hound is generally slightly longer than they are tall, with strong, straight legs and well-muscled hindquarters. They are generally athletic and agile in order to keep up with their quarry, usually Red Foxes and Coyotes, with a long tail that tapers towards the tip and may be held straight or it may have a slight curve or saber shape to it. They tend to have broad, slightly domed skulls with wide, squarish muzzles that are about equal in length to the skull and taper just slightly towards the end. A generally kind but alert expression can be seen in their eyes, which can come in any color and can be almond, oval, or even diamond in shape, and their medium-long ears are set low and hang close to the head. Although several colors are possible, the most common colors for Penn-Marydel Hounds are white with large black and brown patches, often with ticking in the white areas of the coat.

Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Penn-Marydel Hound eyes
Hazel
brown Penn-Marydel Hound eyes
Brown
amber Penn-Marydel Hound eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Penn-Marydel Hound nose
Black
brown Penn-Marydel Hound nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
pied Penn-Marydel Hound coat
Pied
black Penn-Marydel Hound coat
Black
brown Penn-Marydel Hound coat
Brown
white Penn-Marydel Hound coat
White
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Penn-Marydel Hound straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Penn-Marydel Hound Breed Maintenance

These dogs have short, easy to care for coats that are naturally somewhat weatherproof. They should only be bathed on an as needed basis as overly frequent bathing may cause the naturally protective oils to be stripped from the fur, reducing its effectiveness. They shed moderately year-round, but a good brushing with a slicker brush or a grooming glove once or twice a week will keep the coat shiny and supple. It is important to check the ears of these dogs on a regular basis for moisture, dirt, and debris as their hanging ears may make them more susceptible to ear infections than other dogs. 

Brushes for Penn-Marydel Hound
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Penn-Marydel Hound requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Penn-Marydel Hound Temperament

These hounds are hard-hitting and determined animals who are well-suited to hunting either the Red or Grey Foxes. They tend to be affectionate, playful, and eager to please with regards to their family, but they may be a little wary of strangers. They are generally playful with children as well and they may prove to be too boisterous for the younger set and interactions should be closely monitored. The Penn-Marydel is typically easier to work with on training than most foxhounds as they were bred for their biddable natures, however, like most American Foxhounds the Penn-Marydel strain can be fairly difficult to house train. They get along fairly well with other dogs as well as most animals that they are raised with or socialized for, but they are bred with a high desire to chase other animals, particularly those that run, which can sometimes include cats and other household pets. 

Penn-Marydel Hound Activity Requirements

The Penn-Marydel Hound is an extremely active animal that needs a great deal of exercise, at least an hour to an hour and a half a day of vigorous physical activity each day, in order to remain at their best, both physically and mentally. If these hounds are not offered enough activity throughout the day, they can be prone to problem barking, separation anxiety, and even destructive chewing. Due to their loud bay and their energetic natures, these dogs don’t typically do well in smaller homes and apartment type settings, generally preferring the space offered by larger homes with a yard.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
18 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Penn-Marydel Hound Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Penn-Marydel Hound Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at six months
Height: 20.5 inches Weight: 49.0 lbs
Female Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at six months
Height: 19.5 inches Weight: 38.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at 12 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 63.0 lbs
Female Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at 12 months
Height: 21.5 inches Weight: 49.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at 18 months
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 69.5 lbs
Female Penn-Marydel Hound size stats at 18 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 54.0 lbs

Penn-Marydel Hound Owner Experiences

Pearl
8 Years
2 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
We adopted Pearl 4 months ago from a rescue. Pearl is often found sleeping, and at times very reluctant to even go on walks.
6 years, 2 months ago
Wesley
10 Months
2 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Wes came from the RAWL shelter in VA. He is very quick to learn and adapt, LOVES all people, kids and dogs. Good w cats. Does not bark or bay. Completing training as a service and therapy dog, will take him to the VA Hospitals to visit our vets.
5 years, 4 months ago
Millie
6 Years
3 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Neighborhood walks
We rescued her 8 months ago at 6 yo, malnourished and pregnant. She wasn’t socialized and lived in an outdoor kennel with 7 other foxhounds. She is super cautious and scared but sweet as pie. We are building trust and she loves our walks and our 8 yo beagle. She hasn’t yet made a noise and watches all our family activity. She’s very sweet and we love her. She earned herself a gps because she’s hard to catch if she gets loose, but thankfully she does come home.
5 years, 2 months ago
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