Overview
George Washington kept them, and the breed has changed little since: a long-legged, lean scenthound built to run foxes for hours over the rolling country of the eastern United States. It is one of the rarest pedigrees in America, and almost unknown in Britain outside hunt kennels and the odd rescue.
In character they are mild, affectionate and a touch independent. They were bred to live in a pack and work with other hounds, so they are generally easy with dogs and sometimes puzzled by life as a single pet. Separation does not come naturally.
Exercise and walking needs
A fit adult can cover enormous distances. Two hours of walking a day is a sensible minimum, and a steady run alongside a bike or a canicross harness suits the breed well. Short walks produce a restless, howling dog.
The short coat is fine in most weather, though a lean hound feels the cold when standing still.
On the walk
- Scent: A foxhound on a line is leaning into it, nose down, from the first step. Once it finds a trail your voice does not exist. Keep it attached.
- Stride: Long legs and an easy lope mean the dog wants to go faster than you can walk. A jog or a bike ride keeps both of you happier.
- Other dogs: Very sociable with other hounds and most dogs. Rarely the cause of trouble on a group walk.
- Voice: A deep, musical bay that travels. It will be heard across a valley when the dog scents a fox, so pick routes away from livestock and houses.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a long line in open country and let the dog work a trail with you attached to the other end.
- Build the walk around distance and smell rather than games; most hounds have no interest in a ball.
- Check the pads after long road sections and the ears after undergrowth.
- If the dog lives alone, expect a big greeting and a slow settle at the end of the walk.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever got loose and followed a scent, and how did you get it back?
- Does it live with other dogs, and how does it cope with being left between walks?
- Is there any livestock chasing in its history, and are there farms to steer clear of?