Hound Large size 29-34 kg

American Foxhound

A sweet, easygoing pack hound with tireless stamina and a loud voice, best for active rural homes rather than apartments.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
29-34 kg · 53-64 cm
Very high
Exercise needs
Tireless; needs a job and hard daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Copes with a normal workday if eased in
Moderate
Training
Capable but needs motivation
Wash-and-go
Coat care
Wash-and-go coat
Good
Fit with kids
Good, patient family dog
Good
Other pets
Generally sociable with other animals
Moderate
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia

The American Foxhound typically weighs 29-34 kg, stands 53-64 cm, and lives 11-13 years.

Consider this breed if…

you run, hike or bike long distances and want a dog with bottomless stamina,
you live rurally or have secure acreage where a hound voice bothers no one,
you already have another dog - this pack breed genuinely prefers canine company,
you want a gentle, low-drama temperament in a big athletic package.

Do not consider this breed if…

you live in an apartment or a dense neighborhood - the melodious baying carries for blocks,
you expect reliable off-leash recall; a hot scent trail beats your voice every time,
your yard fence is low or unmonitored - foxhounds roam and follow their nose,
an hour of leash walking is all the exercise you can offer.

A typical day with a American Foxhound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or brisk 60+ min walk, nose down the whole way
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Naps hard after real exercise; restless without it
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Yard patrol along the fence line, sniffing
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Scent games or a long-line walk in fields
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Mellow couch time with the family and other dogs
  6. 21:00 · Night
    Settles quietly - unless something howls outside

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Stamina Very high
Vocality Very high
Independence High
Sociability with dogs Very high
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Trusting off-leash recall in open country - the nose overrides training · Underestimating the baying; neighbors hear a foxhound before they see it · Keeping a pack hound as an only pet in a home that is empty all day

Family and environment

Kids Good
Gentle and tolerant; sheer size can bowl over toddlers.
Dogs Excellent
Bred to live in packs; a second dog is a real asset.
Cats Conditional
Fine when raised together; may chase unfamiliar cats outdoors.
Apartment Poor fit
Voice and exercise needs make this a bad match.
House with a yard Conditional
Needs a tall, secure fence - this breed roams.
City Struggles
Baying and scent drive clash with urban life.
Countryside Ideal
Space to run and nobody to complain about the voice.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Dental Disease Routine dental care and cleanings needed
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock; watch for early lameness
Bloat (GDV) Feed smaller meals and know the emergency signs
Chronic Ear Infections Keep the ears dry and check them often

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Nearly identical role, slightly stockier build
English Foxhound
A sociable pack hound built for stamina and following a scent, best for a rural home with room to run, not an apartment.
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Same pack-hound package a size smaller
Harrier
A sturdy, sociable pack hound like a bigger Beagle - cheerful and good with company, but energetic with a nose that pulls it away.
View profile →
The compact, more apartment-feasible scenthound
Beagle
A merry, kid-proof scent hound that follows its nose over your commands - and tells the whole street when left alone.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does an American Foxhound cost?
Despite being one of the oldest American breeds, it is uncommon as a pet - few breeders sell to non-hunting homes, so expect a search and often a waitlist. Puppies typically run $500-$1,200; retired hunting hounds and rescues cost less. Over an 11-13 year life, food and routine vet care for a large dog commonly add $15,000-$25,000 or more.
Do American Foxhounds bark a lot?
They bay rather than bark, and yes - it is loud, melodious and carries a very long way. It was bred in on purpose so hunters could follow the pack by ear. Training reduces nuisance noise but never removes the voice, which is the single biggest reason this breed fails in apartments and dense suburbs.
Can an American Foxhound be let off leash?
Not safely in open areas. Once the nose locks onto a scent trail, most foxhounds go deaf to recall and can travel miles. Off-leash time belongs inside a tall, secure fence; everywhere else use a long line. This is a management issue, not a training failure - the instinct is the whole point of the breed.
Is an American Foxhound a good family dog?
Temperament-wise, yes - it is sweet, patient and rarely aggressive. The catch is logistics: it needs serious daily exercise, secure containment and tolerance for the voice. Families who are active outdoors and live with space do well; families wanting a low-effort suburban companion usually do not.