American Foxhunter

Now that I've moved out of the hills and livin' with a new pack, I've been gettin' to know other kinds of dogs. I see them leadin' their people along the street, or bein' driven around in a car. I've also noticed that they're hangin' out with some strange birds.

Once in a while, one of my dog pals will ask me what kind of owner an American Foxhunter would make, and if maybe they should get one. Usually this is some foo-foo lapdog, very friendly, but without what you'd call an athletic build. I try to explain that ownin' a Foxhunter can be challengin' and is not for the faint of heart.
To help my canine amigos, I've put together a little summary on what I know about the American Foxhunter. Let me make this straight as rain, Otis Milkweed doesn't claim to be no expert and I've actually only lived with "real" hunters for a short time. But, after watchin' some of them experts on the TV, I feel I'm just as qualified as anybody else.

So, here it is:

The AMERICAN Foxhunter

The American Foxhunter is an old breed, datin' all the way back to one of the first of its kind, George Washington. Foxhunters are also considered to be a RARE breed and, unless things change, may end up extinct one day.

City living is not recommended for this breed. They need to be outdoors with plenty of space to roam around in.

Although the foxhunter is traditionally not an inside person, he is actually well mannered in the home. He will need a heavy dose of obedience training, usually provided by the female of the species.

The foxhunter gets along best with other hunters or with canine companionship. He is gentle, and easy to get along with, though he doesn't often show how he feels. Foxhunters are kind and love the company of children. Most foxhunters are shy around strangers.

As their wives will tell you, training requires patience and skill because of their independence and occasional hard-headedness.

I would wholeheartedly recommend a foxhunter as an owner. But don't expect for him to treat you like some pampered pet. A foxhunter takes pride in his hound, and expects it to outperform and outrun the other hunters' dogs.

I hope this helps. If you all have any more questions, just ask old Otis.