Your guide to finding and caring for an American Foxhound in Thomaston
Find your forever American Foxhound
While we don't have enough dogs near Thomaston, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 3-7 y., 578 miles
American Foxhound
M, 6 y., 600 miles
American Foxhound
F, 3-7 y., 621 miles
American Foxhound
M, 3-7 y., 626 miles
American Foxhound
F, 6 y., 633 miles
American Foxhound
F, 2 y., 634 miles
American Foxhound
M, 1 y., 634 miles
American Foxhound
M, 3-7 y., 655 miles
American Foxhound
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 655 miles
Pit Bull Terrier, American Foxhound
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 655 miles
American Foxhound
Few breeds have deeper American roots than the American Foxhound, developed in colonial Maryland and Virginia from English and French hounds. It is a tall, rangy scent hound with long legs, a close hard coat in any color, long soft ears and a gently curved tail. Lighter and leggier than the English Foxhound, it was built to run fox and coyote for hours across rough country.
Many American Foxhounds are sweet, easygoing and good with other dogs, a legacy of working in packs. They are also independent, food-driven and ruled by their noses, with a loud, musical bay. Adopters should plan for plenty of daily exercise, secure fencing and leash walks, and patient training. Many hounds in shelters come from hunting kennels and may need help learning indoor life.
Having an American Foxhound in Thomaston
An American Foxhound brings pack-dog sociability, remarkable stamina and a powerful nose that can override everything else. Understanding its exercise needs, independence, voice and easy-care coat helps adopters judge whether a hound will thrive in their household and routine.
American Foxhounds tend to be gentle, friendly and tolerant, often getting along with other dogs and polite children. Their independence means they listen when it suits them, especially once a scent catches their attention. Many bay or howl when bored or excited. Hounds raised in kennels may be shy indoors at first and need time to adjust.
This is a high-stamina breed bred to run for hours, so most need substantial daily exercise such as long walks, hikes, jogging or play in a securely fenced area. Scent games and tracking give their noses a job. Recall is unreliable once they find a trail, so open areas call for a long leash rather than free running.
American Foxhounds are generally considered a hardy breed. Conditions reported include a platelet disorder called thrombocytopathy, occasional hip dysplasia and ear infections related to their long, hanging ears. Active hounds can also pick up injuries to feet and legs. Weekly ear checks, weight control and regular veterinary visits help, and any bleeding tendency should be discussed before surgery.
An American Foxhound usually does best with a house and a securely fenced yard, since its baying and need for space can be hard in shared buildings. An apartment can work only with a committed owner who provides long daily outings. Fences need to be tall and dig-proof, and food left on counters is rarely safe.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $100, one time | $100 in year one |
| Food | $55 to $110 per month | $660 to $1,320 |
| Pet insurance | $55 to $110 per month | $660 to $1,320 |
| Routine vet care | $250 to $500 per year | $250 to $500 |
| Other* | $490 to $1,290 per year | $490 to $1,290 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $2,060 to $4,430 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $2,160 to $4,530 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on American Foxhound listings in Thomaston on GetBuddy today. Other costs are national averages for American Foxhounds; we don't have costs specific to Thomaston yet.
* Flea, tick and heartworm prevention for a large dog, a dental cleaning allowance, a dog license, toys and bedding, and minimal grooming for a short, easy-care coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have American Foxhounds available.
Here are the rescues & shelters in the Thomaston area where you can find American Foxhounds and other dogs available for adoption.
Yes, the American Foxhound is Virginia's official state dog, adopted in 1966. The choice reflects the breed's colonial history in Virginia and Maryland and its link to George Washington, who bred foxhounds at Mount Vernon. Foxhunting with hound packs remains a tradition in parts of Virginia, and the breed is still closely associated with the state.
An American Foxhound is a tall, athletic scent hound developed in the United States to hunt foxes in packs. It has long legs, long hanging ears, a close hard coat in any color and a musical bay. Many are gentle, sociable and easygoing, but they are also independent, energetic and strongly driven by scent, which shapes life with one.
Yes, George Washington played a key role in developing the American Foxhound and is often called the father of the breed. He kept detailed records of his hounds at Mount Vernon and crossed them with English hounds and French hounds sent by the Marquis de Lafayette. Earlier colonists such as Robert Brooke had brought hounds to Maryland in 1650.
American Foxhounds can make good pets for active owners who enjoy outdoor time and can accept a vocal, independent dog. Many are affectionate, mellow indoors once exercised and friendly with other dogs. They are a harder fit for apartment dwellers, people wanting off-leash reliability or homes that cannot handle baying. Hounds from hunting kennels may need house-training.
Train an American Foxhound with patience, high-value food rewards and short sessions in low-distraction places. Their noses compete with your instructions, so build recall slowly on a long line and never rely on it in open areas. House-training, leash manners and a quiet cue are early priorities. Harsh corrections tend to make hounds shut down or ignore you.
Yes, American Foxhounds shed, though their short, hard coat makes it manageable. They drop hair year-round, with somewhat heavier shedding during seasonal changes. Weekly brushing with a rubber curry or hound glove removes loose hair and keeps the coat healthy. They rarely need baths unless they roll in something, which hounds enjoy doing.
American Foxhounds typically live about 10 to 13 years. They are generally considered a hardy breed, though individual health varies with genetics, care and history. Keeping a hound lean, checking its ears often and keeping up with routine veterinary care supports a long life. Senior hounds usually slow down but still enjoy daily sniffing walks.
American Foxhounds are large, lean dogs that usually stand about 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder, with the show standard allowing males up to 28 inches. Most weigh around 55 to 70 pounds, and field-bred hounds can be lighter. Females are generally smaller. Their long legs and narrow chest make them look taller and lighter than heavier breeds of similar height.
Yes, American Foxhounds are considered one of the rarest breeds in American Kennel Club registrations. Most are bred for hunting packs and field trials rather than registered as pets, though, so hounds of the type are not unusual in rural shelters, particularly in the South and East. Many dogs listed as foxhounds are field hounds or hound mixes.
We have 1 rescue with American Foxhounds available: Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County. You can see every rescue with American Foxhounds available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the American Foxhounds near Thomaston.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other dogs available for adoption in Thomaston.
