American Staghound
Encyclopedia
The American Staghound is a type of sighthound
that is used in hunting to course stag. Although they have been bred for many years, the American Staghound is not currently recognized as a dog
breed
, nor is there interest in doing so.
, typically Greyhound
in appearance, but with much more rugged feet, thicker skin, and more coat. They have excellent eyesight and some will use their scenting ability to wind (detect scent in the air) game. They have three recognized coat types, the shag, broken, and slick. Some are known to approach the speed of a track Greyhound
(hot blood), but all have greater endurance and durability.
They range in height from 24 to 30 inches (61–77 cm) at the withers
and weigh between 45 and 100 lbs (20–45 kg). The females are slightly smaller in size than the males.
if exercised shortly after eating due to their sighthound heritage, but they carry no other genetic health problems. Typical life span is 12–14 years.
They need to be kept leashed in public, unless in a secure area.
, Greyhound
and several other breeds. The staghound appeared with its current characteristics in the 1800s. They were originally bred to hunt predators such as the wolf and coyote
. They were also used for hunting by Theodore Roosevelt
and Ernest Thompson Seton
.
Sighthound
Sighthounds, also called gazehounds, are hounds that primarily hunt by speed and sight, instead of by scent and endurance as scent hounds do.-Appearance:...
that is used in hunting to course stag. Although they have been bred for many years, the American Staghound is not currently recognized as a dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
breed
Dog breed
Dog breeds are groups of closely related and visibly similar domestic dogs, which are all of the subspecies Canis lupus familiaris, having characteristic traits that are selected and maintained by humans, bred from a known foundation stock....
, nor is there interest in doing so.
Appearance
Unmistakably a LongdogLongdog
A Longdog is a type of dog; it is a crossbreed between two sighthounds . They are distinct from the Lurcher which is a cross between a sighthound breed and a non-sighthound breed...
, typically Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
in appearance, but with much more rugged feet, thicker skin, and more coat. They have excellent eyesight and some will use their scenting ability to wind (detect scent in the air) game. They have three recognized coat types, the shag, broken, and slick. Some are known to approach the speed of a track Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
(hot blood), but all have greater endurance and durability.
They range in height from 24 to 30 inches (61–77 cm) at the withers
Withers
The withers is the ridge between the shoulder blades of a four-legged animal. In many species it is the tallest point of the body, and in horses and dogs it is the standard place to measure the animal's height .-Horses:The withers in horses are formed by the dorsal spinal processes of roughly the...
and weigh between 45 and 100 lbs (20–45 kg). The females are slightly smaller in size than the males.
Health
Some are known to experience torsion bloatBloat
Bloat is a medical condition in which the stomach becomes overstretched by excessive gas content. It is also commonly referred to as torsion, gastric torsion, and gastric dilatation-volvulus when the stomach is also twisted. The word bloat is often used as a general term to cover gas distension...
if exercised shortly after eating due to their sighthound heritage, but they carry no other genetic health problems. Typical life span is 12–14 years.
Temperament
Staghounds are very calm and affectionate, making wonderful companion dogs in addition to their running abilities. Because of their sighthound heritage, they make poor guard dogs as they are seldom territorial. However, ones that will bark at strangers can make good watch dogs, owing to their great eyesight. Most have a high prey drive and may consider any smaller animal running away from them to be quarry.They need to be kept leashed in public, unless in a secure area.
History
The current American Staghound is a result of unknown breeding between Scottish DeerhoundScottish Deerhound
The Scottish Deerhound, or simply the Deerhound, is a breed of hound , once bred to hunt the Red Deer by coursing.- Appearance :The Scottish Deerhound resembles a rough-coated Greyhound. It is however, larger in size and bone...
, Greyhound
Greyhound
The Greyhound is a breed of sighthound that has been primarily bred for coursing game and racing, and the breed has also recently seen a resurgence in its popularity as a pedigree show dog and family pet. It is a gentle and intelligent breed...
and several other breeds. The staghound appeared with its current characteristics in the 1800s. They were originally bred to hunt predators such as the wolf and coyote
Coyote
The coyote , also known as the American jackal or the prairie wolf, is a species of canine found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada...
. They were also used for hunting by Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
and Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton
Ernest Thompson Seton was a Scots-Canadian who became a noted author, wildlife artist, founder of the Woodcraft Indians, and one of the founding pioneers of the Boy Scouts of America . Seton also influenced Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting...
.
American Staghound in popular culture
- Chief from The Fox and the Hound and The Fox and the Hound 2The Fox and the Hound 2The Fox and the Hound 2 Soundtrack Album is the album containing songs from Reba McEntire, who was the voice of Dixie in the film, as well as other well-known artists such as Trisha Yearwood, Chip Davis and Little Big Town. Composer Joel McNeely has a few score tracks on the album: "Depressed...
is a American Staghound.