Information on AKC American Foxhound Puppies
American Foxhound Breed Standard
Head
Skull--Should be fairly long, slightly domed at occiput, with
cranium broad and full. Ears--Ears set on moderately low, long, reaching
when drawn out nearly, if not quite, to the tip of the nose; fine in texture,
fairly broad, with almost entire absence of erectile power--setting close to
the head with the forward edge slightly inturning to the cheek--round at tip.
Eyes-- Eyes large, set well apart, soft and houndlike--expression gentle
and pleading; of a brown or hazel color. Muzzle--Muzzle of fair length--straight
and square-cut--the stop moderately defined. Defects--A very flat skull,
narrow across the top; excess of dome; eyes small, sharp and terrier like, or
prominent and protruding; muzzle long and snippy, cut away decidedly below the
eyes, or very short. Roman-nosed, or upturned, giving a dish-face expression.
Ears short, set on high, or with a tendency to rise above the point of origin.
Body
Neck and Throat--Neck rising free and light from the shoulders, strong
in substance yet not loaded, of medium length. The throat clean and free from
folds of skin, a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw, however, is allowable.
Defects--A thick, short, cloddy neck carried on a line with the top
of the shoulders. Throat showing dewlap and folds of skin to a degree termed
"throatiness."
Shoulders, Chest and Ribs
Shoulders sloping--clean, muscular, not heavy or loaded--conveying the idea
of freedom of action with activity and strength. Chest should be deep for lung
space, narrower in proportion to depth than the English hound--28 inches (girth)
in a 23-inch hound being good. Well-sprung ribs--back ribs should extend well
back--a three-inch flank allowing springiness.
Back and Loins
Back moderately long, muscular and strong. Loins broad and slightly arched.
Defects--Very long or swayed or roached back. Flat, narrow loins.
Forelegs and Feet
Forelegs--Straight, with fair amount of bone. Pasterns short and straight.
Feet--Fox-like. Pad full and hard. Well-arched toes. Strong nails. Defects--Straight,
upright shoulders, chest disproportionately wide or with lack of depth. Flat
ribs. Out at elbow. Knees knuckled over forward, or bent backward. Forelegs
crooked. Feet long, open or spreading.
Hips, Thighs, Hind Legs and Feet
Hips and thighs, strong and muscled, giving abundance of propelling power. Stifles
strong and well let down. Hocks firm, symmetrical and moderately bent. Feet
close and firm. Defects--Cowhocks, or straight hocks. Lack of muscle
and propelling power. Open feet.
Tail
Set moderately high; carried gaily, but not turned forward over the back; with
slight curve; with very slight brush. Defects--A long tail, Teapot
curve or inclined forward from the root. Rat tail, entire absence of brush.
Coat
A close, hard, hound coat of medium length. Defects--A short thin coat,
or of a soft quality.
Height
Dogs should not be under 22 or over 25 inches. Bitches should not be under
21 or over 24 inches measured across the back at the point of the withers, the
hound standing in a natural position with his feet well under him.
Color
Any color.
Scale of Points
| Head |
|
|
| Skull |
5 |
|
| Ears |
5 |
|
| Eyes |
5 |
|
| Muzzle |
5 |
20 |
| Body |
|
|
| Neck |
5
|
|
| Chest and shoulders |
15 |
|
| Back, loin and ribs |
15 |
35 |
| Running Gear |
|
|
| Forelegs |
10 |
|
| Hips, thighs & hind legs |
10 |
|
| Feet |
15 |
35 |
| Coat and Tail |
|
|
| Coat |
5 |
|
| Tail |
5 |
10 |
Total |
|
100 |
