The Furry Critter Network

American Foxeagle Hybrid Description

Back to Canine Hybrid Menu


thm-img

Hybrid Description

The American Foxeagle is not a purebred dog. It is a cross between the American Foxhound and the Beagle. The best way to determine the temperment of a mixed breed is to look up all breeds in the cross. It is possible you can get any combination of any of the characteristics found in either breed. Not all of these designer hybrid dogs being bred are 50% purebred to 50% purebred. It is very common for breeders to breed multi-generational crosses. Please review individual breeds for potential health issues.


American Foxhound Breed Description - Cross #1

While similar to its English cousin, the American Foxhound has been developed by its breeders to be lighter and taller, to have a keener sense of smell, and to be even faster in the chase. A large, handsome hound, its front legs are long and very straight-boned. The head is long with a slightly domed, large skull. The ears are broad and pendant, framing the face. The eyes are large and wide-set, either brown or hazel, with a sweet, imploring expression. The ears are wide and flat to the head. The tail is set moderately high with a slight upward curve, but is not turned forward over the back. The short, hard coat may be any color.

Behavior

The American Foxhound is a very sweet, loving, affectionate, and kind breed. However, when it comes to the hunt they are brave and daring. They get along very well with children and love their human families dearly. However, they do tend not to like any other animals besides dogs, the pact instinct. The American Foxhound will be perfectly content with all kinds of other dogs but may be a bit aggressive with other pets you may have.

The American Foxhound is normally very friendly even with strangers however; some may also be very protective over family members.

The American Foxhound is not recommended to live indoors especially in apartments. He is an outdoor breed that loves hunting anything when he gets a whiff of their scent. Even outdoors, he can be quite hard to handle if he smells a deer, a squirrel, or in some cases a cat. He will do everything in his power to find the prey. They are not dumb, a matter of fact they are very intelligent and can jump over high fences and even unlock gates when on a hunt. Leaving an American Foxhound indoors can be a huge mistake as they become bored quickly and then will become very mischievous. He will need a large area to romp and play.

Health

American Foxhounds do have a tendency to overeat if the food is accessible, be sure not to overfeed, as they will become overweight.




Beagle Breed Description - Cross #2

The general appearance of the Beagle resembles a Foxhound in miniature, but the head is broader and the muzzle shorter, the expression completely different and the legs shorter in proportion to the body. They are generally between 13 and 16 inches (33 and 41 cm) high at the withers and weigh between 18 and 35 lb (8 and 16 kg), with bitches being slightly smaller on average.

They have a smooth, somewhat domed skull with a medium-length, square-cut muzzle and a black (or occasionally liver), gumdrop nose. The jaw is strong and the teeth scissor together with the upper teeth fitting perfectly over the lower teeth and both sets aligned square to the jaw. The eyes are large, hazel or brown, with a mild hound-like pleading look. The large ears are long, soft and low-set, turning towards the cheeks slightly and rounded at the tips. Beagles have a strong, medium-length neck (which is long enough for them to easily bend to the ground to pick up a scent), with little folding in the skin but some evidence of a dewlap; a broad chest narrowing to a tapered abdomen and waist and a short, slightly curved tail tipped with white. The white tip, known as the "stern" or "flag" has been selectively bred for, as it allows the dog to be easily seen when its head is down following a scent. The tail does not curl over the back, but is held upright when the dog is active. The Beagle has a muscular body and a medium-length, smooth, hard coat The front legs are straight and carried under the body while the rear legs are muscular and well bent at the stifles.

Behavior

According to his standard, the Beagle is a merry, brave dog who is highly active, energetic, and determined. He is quick, intelligent, and even-tempered. He is also courageous, hardy, and very fast, with a hard-hitting voice and a keen nose. He is enthusiastic and effective on the trail, giving tongue often. He can work alone, in pairs, or in packs. This small, versatile pack hound hunts hare, rabbit, fox, deer, and wild boar. In England, he is used exclusively for beagling, or hunting hare. Affectionate and good-natured, he is a great family pet. He needs firm training.

The Beagle can adapt to city life but needs lots of space to let off steam. He must be brushed once or twice weekly, and his ears need regular attention.

Health

The median longevity of Beagles is about 12.3 years, which is a typical lifespan for a dog of their size. Weight gain can be a problem in older or sedentary dogs, which in turn can lead to heart and joint problems. Beagles may be prone to epilepsy, but this can be controlled with medication. Hypothyroidism and a number of types of dwarfism occur in Beagles. Two conditions in particular are unique to the breed:

  • Funny Puppy, in which the puppy is slow to develop and eventually develops weak legs, a crooked back and although normally healthy, is prone to range of illnesses
  • Chinese Beagle Syndrome in which the eyes are slanted and the outer toes are underdeveloped but otherwise development is as normal.

  • Hip dysplasia, common in Harriers and in some larger breeds, is rarely considered a problem in Beagles.

    In rare cases Beagles may develop immune mediated polygenic arthritis (where the immune system attacks the joints) even at a young age. The symptoms can sometimes be relieved by steroid treatments.

    Their long floppy ears can mean that the inner ear does not receive a substantial air flow or that moist air becomes trapped, and this can lead to ear infections. Beagles may also be affected by a range of eye problems; two common ophthalmic conditions in Beagles are glaucoma and corneal dystrophy. "Cherry eye", a prolapse of the gland of the third eyelid, and distichiasis, a condition in which eyelashes grow into the eye causing irritation, sometimes exist; both these conditions can be corrected with surgery. They can suffer from several types of retinal atrophy. Failure of the nasolacrimal drainage system can cause dry eye or leakage of tears onto the face.


    Back to Canine Hybrid Menu

    Featured Rescues

    "Don't Shop ... Please Adopt"

    laptop pro

    ASPCA

    The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) was the first humane society to be established in North America and is, today, one of the largest in the world.

    Our organization was founded on the belief that animals are entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of humans and must be protected under the law. Headquartered in New York City, the ASPCA maintains a strong local presence, and with programs that extend our anti-cruelty mission across the country, we are recognized as a national animal welfare organization. We are a privately funded 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, and are proud to boast more than 2 million supporters across the country.

    The ASPCA’s mission, as stated by founder Henry Bergh in 1866, is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.”



    laptop pro

    Petfinder

    If you can’t find the pet you’re looking for on Petfinder, don’t give up. Some shelters maintain waiting lists for specific breeds, so don’t be afraid to ask! There are also breed-specific rescues for just about every breed, and most of them post their pets on Petfinder. (Petfinder can even e-mail you when a pet that fits your criteria is posted — just click “Save this Search” at the top of your search results page.)



    laptop pro

    Rescue Me

    Jeff Gold, Founder, Rescue Me! Animal Rescue Network

    Jeff Gold lives in Watkinsville, Georgia on the same property as Rescue Me's Animal Rehabilitation Center, with 18 rescue animals. Shown with him in the photo to the left are Maggie, Izzie and Cortez. In 2003, after learning there was nobody doing boxer rescue work in Georgia, Gold founded Boxertown, an organization which helped find homes for over 500 boxers during its first two years. Based upon this success, Gold came up with the vision for Rescue Me! ― a network which helps all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals find good homes, anywhere in the world. RescueShelter.com is also a free service of Rescue Me! and provides the world's largest and most up-to-date directory of animal rescue organizations for all breeds of dogs, cats and other animals, including a comprehensive directory of wildlife rehabilitators in over 150 countries.



    Top