Original Article: https://www.dogster.com/dog-breeds/american-foxhound-lab-mix

The American Foxhound Lab mix is a hybrid dog breed developed by pairing an American Foxhound with a Labrador Retriever. These pups can have a mix of personality traits, depending on which parent they take after more, but they’re generally sweet, friendly, outgoing, and playful.

They make great hunting partners and companions for the kids, but they’re not suitable for every family. Read on to learn more.

Breed Overview

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The American Foxhound Lab mix pairs the docile and sweet demeanor of the foxhunting American Foxhound with the playful and affectionate attitude of the beloved Labrador Retriever. Thanks to the hunting dog DNA introduced by both parents, these dogs not only make fantastic hunting companions but also make incredible family dogs.

American Foxhound Lab Mix Characteristics

American Foxhound Lab Mix Puppies

While we were unable to find any breeders devoted to creating American Foxhound Lab mixes, that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. However, potential owners will probably have much better luck adopting one of these pups from their local shelters or animal rescues.

Not only will you be giving a shelter dog a much-needed home, but you’re also more likely to know what you’re signing up for in terms of temperament. Shelter animals are generally a little older, so their personality is more finely honed than puppies, who change a lot in the first year of life.

American Foxhound Lab Mix Origin & History

Unlike the parent breeds, the American Foxhound Lab Mix doesn’t have a clear origin story. However, we do have a pretty good idea about the history of this hybrid’s parents.

The American Foxhound is a scent hound developed in the United States. In fact, the country’s Founding Father, George Washinton, played a vital role in the development of the breed. These pups were originally bred specifically to hunt foxes.

The Labrador Retriever’s earliest origins are in the Canadian province of Newfoundland. Early Labs were used as retrievers for fish and game and then were developed further to be hunting companions.

Temperament & Intelligence of the American Foxhound Lab Mix

The American Foxhound Lab is likely to adopt the friendly and sweet-tempered personality of both parent breeds. They’re highly affectionate, love to play, and remain energetic throughout most of their lives.

This hybrid breed is very adaptable and can suit a variety of different lifestyles. They are very high-energy, however, and tend to do better in families that prioritize physical activity. They thrive in homes with large outdoor spaces as they have room to roam and burn off their energy.

Depending on which parent the pup takes after, they may or may not be suitable for apartment life. Labrador Retrievers can adapt to apartment life much easier than the American Foxhound.

The intelligence of the American Foxhound Lab can vary depending on which parent the pup takes after more. According to Stanley Coren, the leading expert in canine intelligence, Labrador Retrievers are the seventh most intelligent dog breed, putting them in the category of “smartest dogs.” American Foxhounds are quite a bit lower on the list at 46, which gives them an average working/obedience intelligence.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 👪

These pups make extremely gentle, easygoing, and high-spirited companions. They’re incredibly loyal and bond intensely with their human caretakers. With enough affection to go around, they make a fantastic family dog and unparalleled playmate for homes with children.

Of course, because these pups can weigh as much as 80 pounds, they must be supervised around small children at all times. Even the sweetest and most well-meaning American Foxhound Lab mix can cause injuries to young kids during rambunctious play sessions.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽 

The American Foxhound Lab can typically forge fast friendships with other dogs. Owners can do their part to ensure a harmonious multi-dog household by training and socializing their pets from a young age to help tone down their natural exuberance.

However, their innate desire to hunt and high prey drive can be problematic around cats and other smaller animals. That doesn’t mean that you can’t be a multi-species home if you have these pups in your life, though. The likelihood of cats and the American Foxhound Lab getting along is increased if the two animals are brought up together.

You may want to keep pocket pets (e.g., guinea pigs, rats, birds, reptiles) away from your pup to avoid initiating their prey drive.

Things to Know When Owning an American Foxhound Lab Mix

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Healthy American Foxhound Labs don’t require a special diet and will generally do well on a high-quality commercially manufactured or home-prepared diet. Their food should be appropriate to their life stage (e.g., puppy, adult, or senior).

This breed may be prone to obesity, so owners should monitor their caloric intake closely. This is especially true when using treats as rewards during training sessions, as it’s easy to give a treat or two extra for a job well done, but these calories all add up.

Since these pups may be prone to nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), owners may want to talk to their veterinarians about the proper diet. Grain-inclusive diets are typically recommended as grain-free diets consisting of peas, legumes, and lentils are often linked to DCM.

Exercise 🐕

The American Foxhound Lab is a highly energetic breed that requires at least one or two hours of exercise daily. If they’re not given enough opportunities to burn off energy, they can become bored and hyperactive and may develop destructive behaviors.

These pups will happily join the family on walks and hikes, but they should always be kept on a leash. They’re also likely to have a natural affinity for swimming and thoroughly enjoy it as a physical activity. Owners may need to put in some work training them to develop their swimming skills, however.

The American Foxhound Lab often finds mental and physical stimulation by participating in dog sports like tracking, rally, obedience, and agility. If they take after their Labrador Retriever side, they may also excel at dock diving.

Training 🎾

The American Foxhound Lab is an intelligent dog with an eagerness to please their owners. Their easygoing and friendly attitude generally makes them easy to train, especially if they inherit the intelligence of their Labrador Retriever parent. However, these pups may develop a stubborn and independent side that can make training an exercise in patience.

Additionally, because they have scent hound blood in their DNA from their American Foxhound parent, owners should never let them off-leash. Their noses can get them into all sorts of trouble.

Grooming ✂️

The American Foxhound Lab is relatively low maintenance when it comes to grooming requirements. The exact grooming regimen of these pups will depend on which fur the puppy has inherited.

If they follow in the footsteps of their American Foxhound parent, their coats will be short and lie close to their bodies. A once-weekly brushing should be all that’s necessary to keep their coats looking their best.

If their coat is more Labrador Retriever than Foxhound, their double coats will shed quite a bit. However, having the right tools on hand can go a long way in keeping your home as fur-free as possible.

As we’ll talk about more below, their floppy ears do make them prone to ear infections. Owners will need to clean their pup’s ears with a veterinarian-approved ear cleaner after their pups spend any amount of time in the water.

Health and Conditions  ❤️

The American Foxhound Lab Mix is generally healthy, though they may develop health issues commonly seen in their parent breeds. Thanks to their long ears, this hybrid can be prone to ear infections. It’s essential to keep their ears clean and dry to keep infections at bay.

Both parent breeds are also at risk of hip and elbow dysplasia that causes loose joints and potentially osteoarthritis. Labrador Retrievers can be prone to tricuspid valve dysplasia, a condition marked by an improperly functioning heart valve that allows blood to leak backward into their right atrium.

They may also be at risk of centronuclear myopathy (a congenital disorder affecting the skeletal muscles), exercise-induced collapse, hemangiosarcoma (an aggressive cancer originating in the spleen, liver, or heart), nutritional dilated cardiomyopathy, and eye conditions like progressive retinal atrophy.

American Foxhounds may be predisposed to thrombocytopathy, a clotting disorder in which their platelets are unable to do their job effectively.

Male vs Female

The only significant difference between male and female American Foxhound Lab mixes is their size. Males are generally taller and heavier than their female counterparts.

Some dog owners believe there are definitive differences in personality depending on a dog’s gender, but there have not been any studies to confirm this.

3 Little-Known Facts About the American Foxhound Lab Mix

1. The American Foxhound Lab mix can be a great hunting partner

This hybrid has hunting dog DNA coursing through their veins. They have excellent endurance and determination, making them fantastic partners to have alongside you in the field. Their American Foxhound parent is a tireless tracker with a keen sense of smell, while their Labrador Retriever DNA is a purpose-bred hunting dog that can work in a wide variety of settings.

2. The American Foxhound Lab may develop separation anxiety

These pups bond closely with their humans and are happiest when they’re tagging along on all the family adventures. However, separation anxiety can become a big issue, especially when considering Labrador Retrievers are one of the most common breeds to exhibit signs of this condition.

3. The American Foxhound Lab may be a bit vocal

While Labrador Retrievers are considered moderate barkers, it’s not necessarily the barking that can be problematic for the American Foxhounds. This breed’s baying can keep you (and your neighbors up) at night. Their baying comes in handy when hunting, as the lower and deeper sound can be heard for miles.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re searching for the perfect canine hunting partner or a pup to keep the kids company, the American Foxhound Lab mix can check all these boxes. These dogs make fantastic companions as they’re incredibly sweet-natured, affectionate, and playful, but they’re just as ready to tag along for your fox or waterfowl hunts.

These pups have quite a bit of energy and require a home where exercise is prioritized. They need anywhere from one to two hours of physical activity daily, which can be a bit too demanding for some potential owners. If they do not get the required amount of exercise, they can develop destructive behaviors or bad habits like excessive barking.

The American Foxhound Lab mix is likely to be a brilliant dog, but they may be a little stubborn or independent during training sessions. For this reason, we do not recommend them for novice dog owners. They need someone with experience in dog training to set them up for success.

So, is the American Foxhound Lab the perfect pooch for you, your family, and your lifestyle? Only you can answer that question. However, we do know one thing for sure: if you decide to adopt one of these beautiful pups, you’ll have a loving, affectionate, playful, and sweet companion for many years to come.

Featured Image Credit: (L) Mary Swift, Shutterstock | (R) Eric Isselee, Shutterstock

Source: Dogster