Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison

Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed ComparisonBoth Irish Mastiff Hound and American Foxhound are originated from United States. Irish Mastiff Hound may grow 27 cm / 11 inches higher than American Foxhound. Irish Mastiff Hound may weigh 42 kg / 93 pounds more than American Foxhound. Both Irish Mastiff Hound and American Foxhound has same life span. Both Irish Mastiff Hound and American Foxhound has same litter size. Irish Mastiff Hound requires Moderate maintenance. But American Foxhound requires Low maintenance

History

irish mastiff hound - historyThe Irish Mastiff Hound is a huge dog – a mix of the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound.

Both of these dogs have been around for a long time and actually have ancient histories. The Mastiff for instance has origins that date back to ancient times in China, while the Irish Wolfhound has origins that date far back to 391 AD.

Today this dog is regarded as an excellent companion for any home.

american foxhound - historyAs a cousin of the English Foxhound, the American Foxhound is a scent hound and bred for hunting. Robert Brooke brought the first hunting dogs to the colonies in 1650. These dogs were the starting point for several American hound breeds including the American Foxhound.

For almost 300 years the Brooke family owned and bred dogs from this bloodline.

At the same time that Brooke was hunting with and breeding his hounds, George Washington was given French Foxhounds. These were crossed with the Brooke’s dogs to create the American Foxhound. This breed is said to have been originally bred in Virginia and Maryland.

They are the state dog of Virginia. After Red Foxes were imported or migrated, Irish Foxhounds were brought to American and added into the line, increasing the stamina and speed that today’s dog’s still display.

The American Foxhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886. Today’s American Foxhound presents in many different lines but are all considered the same breed even though some ay look very different. These strains include the Trigg, Walker, Penn-Marydel, Goodman, July and Calhoun.

Description

irish mastiff hound puppy - descriptionThis is a large crossbreed which can stand at 85 to 91 cm in height and weigh in the region of 47kg to 74kg.

He essentially has the short, smooth coat of the Mastiff but other dogs may well inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Wolfhound. Coloring of the coat can be quite varied and can be brown, grey, white, tan or black. Some dogs take more after the Mastiff while others have more Wolfhound characteristics. They have a large head, some have a somewhat wrinkly face because of the Mastiff side, the ears are fairly small and floppy and the tail is long.

Temperament:

Even though they're so huge, these are easy going dogs that are able to fit in well with most human families. Described as gentle giants, they are loving, loyal, easy-going, even-tempered and eager to please.

The Irish Mastiff does well in the city or in the country because he isn't particularly active and will be happy to have a comfortable spot to lie close to you, however with such a large dog, you will certainly need a garden.

american foxhound puppy - descriptionGiven the variety of bloodlines and strains mentioned above, there can be many differences in the American Foxhounds. Because of this most American Foxhounds bred to show are Walkers as they most closely fit the AKC Breed Standard.

In general, the American Foxhound has long, straight legs and is taller than the English Foxhound. They have a narrow chest and domed skull with a long muzzle.

They have low, wide set eyes that should be dark – brown or hazel, never blue. They have feet like a fox and laid-back shoulders with a curved tail. Athletic and muscled, the American Foxhound is bred to run. They are one of the rarest breeds in the United States.

Characteristics

irish mastiff hound dog - characteristicsYour big Irish Mastiff Hound is cool, confident and calm. He isn't particularly energetic and as long as he gets a nice walk as well as some mental stimulation, he'll be happy, wanting to spend a good part of the day lying close to where you are.

Socialization and training will be good for him and he learns easily. He is just a big gentle giant who promises to make you a wonderful canine friend.

american foxhound dog - characteristicsWith a reputation as a docile, sweet dog, the American Foxhound is great with kids and animals. They are gentle and often very shy with strangers. They are strong willed and stubborn especially when training them, so they are not a good first dog. They need an owner who has handled dogs before and knows how to be the pack leader without being angry or mean.

The American Foxhound is a scent hound and once he is on the scent it is close to impossible to distract him from it. They have a tendency to ignore commands when they are in this state. A strong owner/leader is needed for this reason. Don’t let him off leash in an unfenced area.

Health Problems

irish mastiff hound puppies - health problemsMany people find giant dogs irresistible because they're usually gentle, patient and loving. However, it is their very size which makes them more prone to certain health concerns and gives them a shorter lifespan.

It is why it is so important to ensure you feed your pet a healthy diet to ward off illness. A large dog like the Irish Mastiff doesn't have a particularly long lifespan, and with good care he can get to 9, 10, 11, 12 years of age.

Hip Dysplasia:

This condition is more common in large dogs and it can lead to joint degeneration, arthritis and pain. Your pet may even be reluctant to get up and greet you when you come home which can be very sad. Vet intervention will certainly be required.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy:

This heart disease is commonly seen in large dog breeds where the heart becomes weak so that it can't pump blood throughout the body. Coughing, difficulty with breathing, weakness and lethargy are just some of the symptoms of this disease and will also require veterinary intervention.

american foxhound puppies - health problemsThe American Foxhound, like most hunting dogs does not carry a lot of genetic disorders. But they can easily become overweight and this can cause major problems. Dysplasia of any type had been mostly unknown in this breed, but due to obesity it is cropping up on occasion. Breeders have not, and do not usually screed for any genetic diseases.

The most devastating health issue the American Foxhound faces is thrombocytopathy. We will go into more detail on this in the Care for Pet section. This is a disease of the blood system, namely the platelets.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

irish mastiff hound dogs - caringHe has a short coat, and grooming of this laid-back dog will include brushing him twice a week, trimming his nails and making sure that you check inside his ears for ear infection.

Diet:

Large dogs have special nutritional needs, particularly because they are more prone to illnesses such as hip dysplasia. You want to make sure that the foods he eats are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, amino acids and antioxidants because these will ensure proper joint health.

You've got to be careful what you feed a large breed dog because of the weight management issue too. Excess weight puts stress on the joints and promotes the development of osteoarthritis. Speak to your vet about portion control and meat protein for your pet and how to ensure excellent nutrition to avoid common dog illnesses.

Fresh, cool water needs to be available to your pet every minute of the night and day.

Feeding

american foxhound dogs - caringWhether feeding a pup, or an adult American Foxhound, you need to be sure the food is high quality and that you don’t overfeed. The Foxhound is happy to eat as much as you give him. They like to eat. Make sure you measure and don’t free feed. Control what they are eating.

For a puppy feed twice, a day – 2 to 3 cups of high quality puppy food. When he becomes an adult feed him once a day with 2 cups of adult food.

Health issues

As mentioned previously, the American English Foxhound, like most of the hound breeds is a very healthy dog. They do not have many genetic health issues. They do have a risk for thrombocytopathy. This risk is slight, but all owners of American English Foxhounds should be aware of it.

Thrombocytopathy

This disease is a circulatory system disease with poorly or non-functioning platelets. Platelets are designed to assist in the control of bleeding and without functioning ones the dog can bleed excessively from just a minor cut or bleed internally from a minor injury. The disease can be treated but you have to notice it first. Depending on how severe the disease is, the treatment will vary. Some dogs will have to be given platelets.

Exercise and games

This is a high energy breed that is very active and needs a lot of exercise. They are not good for the first-time owner as they are stubborn and hard to train. They need room to run and get frustrated and out of sorts if they don’t have it. They can live in the suburbs but only with a large fenced yard, an even larger dog park and regular walks. This dog needs a lot of exercise. The simplest thing to do is take him hunting.

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Hound dog
Origin:
United States
United States
Height Male:
85 - 91 cm
33 - 36 inches
53 - 64 cm
20 - 26 inches
Height Female:
85 - 91 cm
33 - 36 inches
49 - 60 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
47 - 74 kg
103 - 164 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
47 - 74 kg
103 - 164 pounds
21 - 30 kg
46 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 12 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 12
1 - 12
Size:
Giant dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Irish Mastiff
Foxhound
Colors Available:
grey, Brown, tan or black, white
red, tricolor, black and tan, blue
Coat:
Short and smooth or long and wiry
short, hard
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Shiloh Shepherd vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Great Dane - Breed Comparison
  3. Newfoundland Dog vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  5. Leonberger vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  6. Irish Wolfhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  7. Mountain Burmese vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  8. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  9. Moscow Watchdog vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  10. Nebolish Mastiff vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Scottish Deerhound vs Irish Mastiff Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Mastiff Hound vs English Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bully Kutta - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Francais Blanc et Orange - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Gaddi Kutta - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Mastiff Hound vs Bisben - Breed Comparison
  23. Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  24. Bloodhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Greyhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Francais Blanc et Noir vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Saluki vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  29. American Foxhound vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  30. American Foxhound vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Borzoi vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Black and Tan Coonhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Mountain Cur vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Black Mouth Cur vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Rajapalayam vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Plott Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Petit Gascon Saintongeois vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  38. Otterhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Mudhol Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  40. Ibizan Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Rampur Greyhound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Galgo Espanol vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  43. Azawakh vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  44. Hanover Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Majestic Tree Hound vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  46. Chart Polski vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  47. Polish Hunting Dog vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Grand Bleu de Gascogne vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds