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American Foxhound

Origin

The first mention of the importation of the English Foxhound to the United States is in the diary of one of DeSoto's men. It is also known that a pack was brought to America in 1650 with Robert Brooke. George Washington imported hounds from England and in 1785 received some French Foxhounds from Lafayette. These importations formed the basis of the current American Foxhound. In 1830, Foxhounds from Ireland were imported and added to the strain. Foxhounds in the United States are used for four primary purposes, and these have dictated the varying styles that have been seen over the years: the field trial hound, the personal fox-hunting (with a gun) hound, the trail or "drag" hounds used for racing, and the pack hunting hounds used by hunt clubs and farmers. In recent years, the American Foxhound Club and the Masters of Foxhounds Association have made great strides in standardizing the breed type As its name suggests, the American Foxhound was developed in colonial America, using the English Foxhound as a base. Irish, French and other hounds are thought to have been used in the breed's refinement. The American Foxhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1905.

Breed Standard

General Appearance *** Weight ** 65 - 75 lbs. American Foxhounds are active, friendly With Children** Yes, excellent will bonds with entire family American Foxhound need minimal grooming of their short coat. Has a high energy level and will require daily exercise. Needs a firm, no -nonsense leadership approach to training.

HEAD AND SKULL *** The head is fairly long. The skull is slightly domed at the occiput. The cranium is broad and full. The straight, squarecut muzzle is of fair length. The stop is moderately defined.

Faults * Very flat skull. Skull narrow across the top. Excess of dome. Long, snipey muzzle. Cut away decidedly below the eyes. Very short muzzle. Roman-nosed. Upturned nose.

EYES * The large eyes are brown or hazel in color. They are set well apart, and have a soft, hound-like expression that is gentle and pleading.

Faults * Small, sharp, terrier-like eyes. Prominent, protruding eyes.

EARS * The ears are set on moderately low, are almost absent of any erectile power, and set close to the head, with the forward edge slightly in-turning to the cheek. They are long enough that if drawn out they nearly, if not quite, reach the tip of the nose. The fairly broad ears are round at the tip.

Faults * Short ears. Set on high. Tendency to rise above he point of origin.\

Neck *** The clean, medium length neck rises free and light from the shoulders. It is strong in substance, but not loaded. A slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw is allowed.

Faults * Thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. Dewlap and skin folds to a degree that may be termed "throatiness.

FOREQUARTERS*** FORELEGS - * The straight forelegs have a fair amount of bone. The elbows point straight back, being neither in nor out. The short pasterns are straight.

Faults* Crooked forelegs. Knees knuckled forward, or bent backward. Straight, upright shoulders.

BODY *** The clean, muscular, sloping shoulders convey the idea of freedom and action combined with activity and strength. The moderately long back is muscular and strong. The broad loins are slightly arched. The chest is deep to allow for lung space, but is narrower in proportion to depth than that of the English Foxhound. A 23-inch Hound having a 28-inch girth is ideal. A three-inch flank allows for wellsprung ribs; the back ribs extending well back.

Faults * Very long back. Swayed back. Roach back. Flat, narrow loins. Chest disproportionately wide. Lack of depth in chest.

HINDQUARTERS *** The strong, muscular hips and thighs provide abundant propelling power.

HIND LEGS * The strong stifles are well let down. The firm, strong stifles are well let down. The firm, symmetrical hocks are moderately bent. symmetrical hocks are moderately bent.

Faults* Cowhocks. Straight hocks. Lack of muscle and propelling power.

FEET *** The close, firm, fox-like feet have full, hard pads, well-arched toes and strong nails. Faults * Long, open or spreading feet.

TAIL *** The tail is set moderately high. It is carried gaily with a slight curve, but is not turned forward over the back.

Faults * Long tail. Teapot curve. Inclined forward from the root. Rat tail.

COAT *** The close, hard Hound coat is of medium length. The tail has a very slight brush. Faults * Short, thin coat. Soft coat. Entire absence of brush from tail

COLOR *** Any color is acceptable.

HEIGHT *** Height is measured at the point of the withers with the Hound standing in a natural position with its feet well under. Height ranges are: Males, should not be under 22" or over 25"; Bitches, should not be under 21" or over 24".

FAULTS *** All faults are to be evaluated in relation to their degree of deviation from the ideal.

DISQUALIFICATIONS *** Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Albinism.

SCALE OF POINTS *** Head 20 * Skull 5 * Ears 5 * Eyes 5 * Muzzl 5

Body35 * Neck 5 * Chest and Shoulders 5 * Back * Loin and Ribs 5

Running Gear 35 * Forelegs 10 * Hips, Thigh and Hind Legs 10 * Feet 15 * Coat 5

Tail 5 * Total 100.