Canis lupus familiaris
American Foxhound
Featured photoamerican-foxhound.jpgThe American Foxhound is a leaner, taller American foxhound descended from George Washington's Mount Vernon line. The American Foxhound descends from a pack of English Foxhounds imported to Virginia in 1650 by the early colonist Robert Brooke, supplemented by French hounds gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette to George Washington in the 1780s and additional Irish foxhounds imported in the 19th century.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Hound
- Origin country
- United States (Virginia)
- Origin period
- 17th century (formalized 19th century)
- Coat type
- Short
- Coat colors
- Tricolor (Black/White/Tan), Red and White, Blue Tick, Lemon and White, any hound colour
- Average lifespan
- 11-13 years
- Recognition
- AKC 1886 · UKC 1905
Origin
The American Foxhound descends from a pack of English Foxhounds imported to Virginia in 1650 by the early colonist Robert Brooke. The Marquis de Lafayette gifted George Washington seven Grand Bleu de Gascogne French hounds in 1785, and Washington bred them with the existing Brooke line at Mount Vernon — Washington's stud-book entries are preserved and Washington is regarded as a foundational breeder of the modern American Foxhound. Additional Irish foxhound imports in the 19th century contributed speed and a lighter build. The American Kennel Club registered the breed in 1886. The Virginia state dog has been the American Foxhound since 1966.
Recognition
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1886, the United Kennel Club followed in 1905.
Standard
The AKC standard describes a leaner, taller, faster hound than the English Foxhound, with a more deeply-set, longer ears and a slightly more domed skull. The short, hard, hound-coat lies close to the body. Any hound colour is acceptable, with the classic tricolour (black, white, tan) being the most common. Males stand 56-64 cm at the withers, females 53-61 cm.
Sources & further reading (2)
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-04-30
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-30
Frequently asked questions
What is the American Foxhound's AKC group?
The American Kennel Club places the American Foxhound in the Hound Group. The Hound Group gathers breeds developed for the hunt, broadly split into scent hounds (Bloodhound, Beagle, Coonhounds) and sight hounds (Greyhound, Whippet, Borzoi). The breed's foundation working role was as a leaner, taller American foxhound descended from George Washington's Mount Vernon line.
When was the American Foxhound officially recognized?
The American Kennel Club admitted the breed in 1886; the United Kennel Club followed in 1905.
What is the average lifespan of a American Foxhound?
Kennel-club longevity surveys place the American Foxhound's average lifespan in the 11-13 years range. The figure here represents the spread reported by the major parent-club studies and the Kennel Club (UK) purebred-dog health surveys.
