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Breed guide

American Foxhound

George Washington's breed. Musical, pack-oriented, needs miles of running. America's rarest popular hound.

AKC Rank

#175

Size

large (60-70 lbs)

Life Expectancy

11-13 yrs

Activity

very high

Feeding a American Foxhound

America's hound. ~1,300-1,600 kcal/day. Bred to run for hours — needs serious exercise.

Key nutrients

  • high-quality protein
  • omega-3

Portion notes: Two meals daily; active hunting dogs need significantly more.

Fresh food picks for American Foxhounds

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for large dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

  • Human-grade fresh food
  • Portioned per dog
  • Vet-developed recipes
  • 50% off first box
See The Farmer's Dog
fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

  • Fresh and baked recipes
  • Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
  • Custom portions
  • 60% off first box
See Ollie
fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

  • Pre-portioned pouches
  • Vet-formulated
  • Microbiome testing available
  • 50% off first order
See Nom Nom
fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

  • Fresh or UnKibble options
  • Human-grade ingredients
  • Shelf-stable storage option
  • 50% off first order
See Spot & Tango

First-year cost

What a American Foxhound actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$3,835-$7,250

Ongoing years run $2,940-$5,350 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$2,400-$3,650

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$420-$600

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$540-$1,100

Grooming

low grooming needs

$0-$120

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$225-$750

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$480

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$713-$1,247/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for large dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for American Foxhounds

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

Cosequin (Nutramax)

The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement

  • #1 vet-recommended
  • NASC Quality Seal
  • Glucosamine + chondroitin
  • Clinically studied
See Cosequin (Nutramax)

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

hip dysplasia
ear infections
thrombocytopathy
bloat

Bred to hunt in packs for hours — needs MASSIVE daily exercise.

Musical bay carries for miles — not for neighbors who value quiet.

One of America's oldest breeds (George Washington bred them).

Generally very healthy.

Gear for American Foxhounds

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for American Foxhounds

Matched to American Foxhound temperament (independent, easy-going, sweet).

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

  • 1-on-1 live video sessions
  • Certified trainers
  • Custom per-dog plan
  • Weekly structure
See GoodPup
training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

  • Lifetime membership
  • Self-paced video lessons
  • Puppy + adult content
  • Behavior troubleshooting
See BAXTER & Bella
training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

  • App-based daily plans
  • AI-guided feedback
  • Affordable monthly cost
  • Trick training library
See Dogo

GPS trackers for American Foxhounds

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

  • Real-time GPS
  • Activity + sleep tracking
  • Escape alerts
  • 3-month battery
See Fi
gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

  • Attaches to any collar
  • Worldwide GPS coverage
  • Activity monitoring
  • Budget-friendly
See Tractive

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

  • 350+ breeds identified
  • 250+ health conditions screened
  • Cornell-partnered science
  • Relatives finder
See Embark
dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

  • 350+ breeds
  • Genetic health insights
  • Budget-friendly option
  • Fast results
See Wisdom Panel

American Foxhound questions, answered

How long do American Foxhounds live?
American Foxhounds typically live 11-13 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.
How big do American Foxhounds get?
Adult American Foxhounds typically weigh 60-70 lbs and stand 21-25 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a large breed.
How much exercise does a American Foxhound need?
American Foxhounds are a very high-activity breed. Plan on at least 2 hours of intense physical and mental stimulation per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.
What health problems do American Foxhounds commonly have?
American Foxhounds are most prone to: hip dysplasia, ear infections, thrombocytopathy, bloat. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.
Are American Foxhounds hard to groom?
American Foxhounds need minimal grooming — weekly brushing and occasional baths are enough. Their short coat is low-maintenance day-to-day.
What should I feed a American Foxhound?
America's hound. ~1,300-1,600 kcal/day. Bred to run for hours — needs serious exercise. Key nutrients to look for: high-quality protein, omega-3.
Are American Foxhounds good for first-time owners?
American Foxhounds are better suited to experienced owners. They're independent, easy-going, sweet — traits that reward confident, consistent handling. First-time owners should budget for professional training.

Ask Barkly about your American Foxhound

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