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George Washington is a legendary figure in American history.
He led us to victory in the Revolutionary War and became the first U.S. president.
But Washington (1732-1799) also had another passion – foxhunting. It’s believed that he owned 36 foxhounds!
Foxhounds are energetic, easily-trained dogs that work in packs to hunt. They track prey like coyotes and foxes over long distances. Foxhounds range from 21 to 25 inches at the shoulder, and weigh 65 to 75 pounds.
Washington and others during the colonial period actively developed a new breed of foxhound built for speed. American foxhounds have a lighter build and longer legs than their cousin, the English foxhound. (The American Kennel Club recognizes Washington as the father of the American Foxhound.)
While these dogs were kept to work rather than as pets, Washington gave his dogs some interesting names. There was “Sweet Lips,” “Droner,” “Drunkard” and “Madame Moose,” to name a few. (It’s been suggested that some of the names were assigned to dogs based on their vocalizations, so hunters could tell them apart during a hunt.)
Washington is also known to have kept other breeds at Mount Vernon – Briards, Dalmatians, English foxhounds, French hounds, Greyhounds, Italian Greyhounds, mastiffs, Newfoundlands, pointers, spaniels and terriers.
No bones about it, that’s a guy who was serious about his dogs!
Until Next Time,
Hugs and Pug Kisses,
Candy
Sources and Links:
George Washington Was a Passionate Dog Breeder – HISTORY
The Complete Book of Dogs by Rosie Pilbeam (Lorenz Books, Arness Publishing LTD, 2019)
Independence Day Special: Revolutionary Hound Dogs – American Kennel Club (akc.org)
Hound photo: Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=472664
Washington photo: By Gilbert Stuart – https://www.clarkart.edu/artpiece/detail/george-washington, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=591229
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