American Foxhound Facts – Wisdom Panel™ Dog Breeds

One of the first breeds the American Kennel Club ever recognized, the American Foxhound can trace its roots back to 1886.

Historical records suggest George Washington was an avid fox hunter. For this hobby, he kept hounds descended from imported British dogs. Eventually, he crossed these hounds with French breeding stock from Marquis de Lafayette—a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War.

From there, what would become the American Foxhound continued to evolve throughout the post-Colonial period, especially in the South. Eventually, it became its own breed, completely separate from its English Foxhound ancestor.

The American Foxhound is currently the state dog of Virginia, where it began its American journey.