Are you a hound lover? If so, you might want to meet a new breed that combines the best of two awesome dogs: the American Foxhound and the Beagle. The American Foxeagle is a rare and new crossbreed that has a lot of potential as a companion and a working dog. But what exactly is an American Foxeagle, and what makes it so special? In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about this hybrid, from its origins, appearance, personality, health issues, and care needs. We’ll also help you decide if this breed is right for you and your family.
What’s an American Foxeagle?
The American Foxeagle is a designer breed that’s created by mixing an American Foxhound with a Beagle. Both parent breeds are hunting dogs that came from England and were brought to America in the 1700s. They have amazing noses that can track prey for miles and are loyal, affectionate, and gentle companions.
The American Foxeagle inherits these qualities from both parents, but it also has some unique features that make it stand out. It has a body shape that looks mostly like the American Foxhound but color and face that look more like the Beagle. Some people say it looks like a Beagle with long legs! It has a short and smooth coat that’s easy to groom. The size can vary depending on the parent dog, but it usually ranges from 14 to 23 inches in height and 28 to 50 pounds in weight.
The American Foxeagle isn’t recognized by any major kennel club as a purebred dog, but it may be registered by some smaller organizations that accept mixed breeds. There’s no official standard for this hybrid, so there may be some differences in appearance and temperament among different individuals.
Breed Overview
| Dog Breed | American Foxeagle |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Walkeagle |
| Coat | Short and smooth-haired |
| Coat Colors | Varies depending on the parent breeds, but may include black, tan, white, brown, or tricolor |
| Coat Patterns | Varies depending on the parent breeds, but may include solid, bicolor, tricolor, or patches |
| Weight | 28 to 50 pounds |
| Height | 14 to 23 inches |
| Lifespan | Up to 12 years or more |
| Origin | United States |
| Breed Ranking | Not recognized or ranked |
How does an American Foxeagle act?
The American Foxeagle is a friendly, playful, and energetic dog that loves to be around people. It’s especially good with children, as it’s patient, gentle, and tolerant of their antics. It can also get along well with other dogs and pets as long as it’s socialized from an early age.
The American Foxeagle isn’t a couch potato; it needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep it happy and healthy. It enjoys going for walks, runs, hikes, or bike rides with its owner and playing fetch or tug-of-war. It can also do well at dog sports like agility or obedience, as it’s smart and eager to please.
However, American Foxeagles also have strong hunting instincts that can make them chase after small animals or wander off after an interesting scent. It may not always listen to commands when it’s distracted by something more exciting. Therefore, keeping this breed on a leash or in a fenced area when outdoors is important. Training this breed using positive reinforcement methods, such as treats, praise, or toys, is also advisable. Harsh or negative methods may backfire and cause this breed to become fearful or stubborn.
The American Foxeagle isn’t a good choice for people who are away from home for long periods of time or who live in small apartments. This breed can become bored, lonely, or anxious when left alone too much and may resort to destructive behaviors like chewing, barking, or digging. It also needs enough space to run and play indoors and outdoors. The American Foxeagle thrives in a home where it can get lots of attention, affection, and activity.
What are the health issues of an American Foxeagle?
The American Foxeagle is generally a healthy breed that can live up to 12 years or more. However, like any mixed breed, it may inherit some health problems from its parent breeds. Some of the common health issues that may affect this breed are:
- Heart disease: This condition affects the function of the heart and can cause symptoms like coughing, breathing difficulties, fatigue, or fainting. A vet can diagnose it using tests like chest X-rays or electrocardiograms. Treatment may include medication, surgery, or dietary changes.
- Eye problems: This breed may suffer from various eye disorders that can affect its vision or cause irritation or pain. Some of these problems are glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye), cataracts (clouding of the lens), cherry eye (prolapse of the third eyelid), or entropion (inward rolling of the eyelid). Treatment may involve eye drops, surgery, or corrective lenses.
- Hip dysplasia: This is a genetic condition that causes the hip joint to develop abnormally, leading to arthritis, pain, or lameness. It can be diagnosed by a vet using X-rays or physical examination. Treatment may include medication, supplements, weight management, or surgery.
- Spinal disorder: This breed may be prone to a condition called intervertebral disc disease (IVDD), which occurs when the discs between the vertebrae of the spine degenerate or rupture, causing inflammation, nerve damage, or paralysis. A vet can diagnose it using X-rays, MRI, or CT scan. Treatment may include medication, surgery, or physical therapy.
To prevent or reduce the risk of these health issues, it’s important to provide this breed with regular vet check-ups, vaccinations, parasite control, and a balanced diet. Spaying or neutering this breed is also advisable to avoid unwanted pregnancies or reproductive diseases. Additionally, buying this breed from a reputable breeder who can provide health certificates and genetic testing for the parent dogs is recommended.
Caring for an American Foxeagle
Grooming
The American Foxeagle is a low-maintenance breed that doesn’t require much grooming. The coat is short and smooth-haired, so it only needs occasional brushing to remove loose hair and dirt. It also doesn’t shed much, so it’s suitable for people with allergies.
However, this breed may have a strong doggy smell that some people may find unpleasant. To keep this breed clean and fresh, it’s advisable to bathe it once a month using mild dog shampoo. It’s also important to check and clean the ears regularly to prevent infections and to trim the nails as needed to prevent cracking or overgrowth.
Exercise
The American Foxeagle is an active breed that needs at least an hour of exercise every day. This can include walks, runs, hikes, bike rides, or play sessions with toys or other dogs. This breed also enjoys doing dog sports like agility or obedience, as it provides mental stimulation and a chance to bond with its owner. However, this breed should always be kept on a leash or in a fenced area when outdoors, as it may chase after small animals or wander off after an interesting scent.
Training
The American Foxeagle is a smart and trainable breed that responds well to positive reinforcement methods. It’s important to start training this breed from an early age, as it can develop bad habits like barking, digging, or jumping if left untrained. Training sessions should be short, fun, and consistent, focusing on teaching basic commands like sit, stay, come, and heel. Enrolling this breed in puppy classes or general obedience training with a professional trainer may also be helpful.
Temperament
The American Foxeagle is a friendly and sociable breed that needs a lot of attention and affection from its owner. It doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time or being ignored. It may suffer from separation anxiety if it doesn’t get enough human interaction. To prevent this problem, it’s advisable to provide this breed with toys, puzzles, or chew bones to keep it occupied when alone. Spending quality time with this breed every day is also important, playing with it, cuddling with it, or talking to it.
The American Foxeagle is a loyal and devoted breed that protects its owner and family from threats. It may bark at strangers or intruders but is not aggressive or hostile. It may also howl at sirens or other noises that remind it of its hunting heritage. To prevent excessive barking or howling, it’s important to teach this breed the quiet command and reward it for good behavior.
Is an American Foxeagle right for you?
The American Foxeagle is a wonderful breed for people who are looking for a loyal, affectionate, and energetic companion that can keep up with their active lifestyle. This breed is especially suitable for families with children or other pets, as it’s gentle, playful, and tolerant of them. However, this breed isn’t for everyone. It may not be the best choice for people who are:
- Allergic to dogs: Although this breed can be better than others for people with allergies. They do still shed and can trigger allergic reactions in some people sensitive to dog dander or saliva.
- Busy or away from home often: This breed needs a lot of attention and affection from its owner and doesn’t like being left alone for long periods of time. It may develop separation anxiety or destructive behaviors if it doesn’t get enough human interaction.
- Living in small apartments: This breed needs enough space to run and play indoors and outdoors. It may not be happy in a cramped environment where it can’t exercise its energy.
- Inexperienced or inconsistent with training: This breed can sometimes be stubborn and independent and may not always listen to commands when distracted by something more exciting. It needs an owner who can provide firm but positive leadership and guidance. It also needs regular and consistent training sessions to reinforce good manners and behavior.
Suppose you think you can provide the American Foxeagle with the love, care, and attention it deserves. In that case, you’ll be rewarded with a faithful, fun-loving, and versatile companion that will brighten up your life.
Final Thoughts
The American Foxeagle is a cool new breed of hound that’s created by crossing an American Foxhound with a Beagle. The result is a friendly, playful, and energetic dog that absolutely loves to be around people and other animals. It’s also a smart and trainable dog that can excel at many different activities and tasks.
We hope you enjoyed this article about the American Foxeagle. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. And if you’re interested in getting an American Foxeagle of your own, please make sure to do your research and find a reputable breeder or rescue organization that can provide you with a healthy and happy puppy. Thank you for reading!
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