American Staghound Dog Breed Information, Images, Characteristics, Health

History - American Staghound for Sale

american staghound - historyThe American Staghound is hunting dog and type of sighthound that is not recognized as a separate breed. They have historically been bred to hunt coyotes and then other game. Even though they are not considered a separate breed some of their breeding lines have existed much longer than some officially recognized breeds. The American Staghound is a cross between the Greyhound and the Scottish Deerhound. There was probably some Borzoi mixed in as well. The Staghound is believed to have traveled with General Custer across the American West. The breed is a long-legged running dog with the speed of a Greyhound, the sighting ability of sight hounds and more endurance than any running breed. They are incredible athletes with amazing agility and have been bred to course game – coyotes mostly – and therefore are bred with a very intense prey drive. In the past they chased stags and deer and today they chase coyotes and hare. Coyotes are much faster than wolves and fight just as hard. The American Staghound is the only breed fast enough to track down the coyote. However, the breed is not recognized by the AKC. Hunting with an American Staghound today is not very different from hunting with them in medieval times. Strict breeding practices and the non-commercialization of the breed has led to the almost perfect preservation of this hunting breed. They have not changed very much over the centuries. They have been breeding Staghound to Staghound since the early 1800’s. At times very, good hunting dogs from Greyhound and Deerhound stock are added to the mix. For hundreds of years now the closed breeding has led to what might be the finest coyote chasing sighthound possible.

Basic Information - American Staghound for Sale

Group:
Hound dog
Origin:
United States
Height Male:
67 - 77 cm26 - 31 inches
Height Female:
63 - 75 cm24 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
25 - 41 kg55 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
22 - 39 kg48 - 86 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
Size:
Giant dog
Other Names:
AS
Colors Available:
Any
Coat:
Shag, Slick or Broken
Shedding:
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Courageous, Energetic, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Hypoallergenic:
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No

Description - American Staghound for Sale

american staghound puppy - descriptionWhen you look at the American Staghound you can clearly see the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound lines. They have strong running muscles in their long legs and deep chest. He is of course a sight hound, so his vision is acute. His running endurance is second to none. It is this endurance in running all day that makes the American Staghound difference from the Scottish Deerhound and the Greyhound. Yes, both the Deerhound are greyhound are great runners, but the American Staghound runs just as fast with an endurance level ten times that of the other hounds. His heavy bones structure and thick skin are also different from the other racing fast sight hounds.

Characteristics - American Staghound for Sale

american staghound dog - characteristicsThis dog was bred to run fast and long after something it sees. They are not considered hyperactive but won’t live well in a confined space such as an apartment or condo. You will need a single-family house with a large yard. Though they are affectionate, family dogs, they are not cut out to be guard dogs. They are not especially protective or territorial, though they may bark at what they can see in the distance. They are calm in their homes if exercised enough and great with children. They are often gentle and loving. They are pack oriented and accept other dogs, but they are not welcoming toward cats or other prey sized animals. Be careful with the AS around small children as he might knock them down or see them as prey as well. They consider anything smaller that runs to be prey. When chasing prey, they are not only fast and enduring, they are tenacious and courageous. Remember that this is a breed that has been bred true in order to hunt and only in order to hunt. Their hunting instincts will override almost any other. Over the centuries only the best hunters were allowed to be bred so that only the best hunters would be born.

Health Problems - American Staghound for Sale

american staghound puppies - health problemsThe American Staghound has been bred so consistently within the breed and true that they exhibit very few health problems. All running dogs are susceptible to joint issues, but the Staghound has less than most. Two issues they do face more often are a problem with anesthesia if they ever need it and the propensity to be vulnerable to bloat. Since they are a centuries old hybrid there are no real health issues born of genetics.

Caring The Pet - American Staghound for Sale

Feeding

american staghound dogs - caringIt is important that you don’t ever over feed you American Staghound as they are thin and bred to run. Even though they are heavier boned than their closest relatives, they are still very susceptible to obesity if overfed. The adult AS should be fed about 4-6 cups of dry food every day in at least 2 meals but 3 of more would be better. This will prevent bloat.

Health issues

As previously mentioned there are no genetic issues with the health of the American Staghound. Bred for one reason and one reason alone for many centuries has led to this healthy state. Also, as stated previously they can have issues with bloat and anesthesia. The issue with anesthesia comes from the fact that the American Staghound has very little body fat to muscle ration. The issue with bloat or torsion can be avoided with many smaller meals and not running your Staghound right after they eat a large meal.

Exercise and games

Of course, the American Staghound loves to run and if you are not going to hunt with her, you will have to find another source of vigorous physical activity. Every day from puppyhood on the AS must be stimulated mentally and physically in order to grow and mature correctly. He must have a home where the freedom to run is an everyday experience, not a dog park once a week. If you ride bikes, race walk or run on a daily basis this might be the dog for you. They obviously excel at games like lure coursing and can be good at agility.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Wolfhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  2. Francais Blanc et Orange vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  3. Billy vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Deerhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  5. Great Dane vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  6. Bernese Mountain Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  7. English Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  8. Newfoundland Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  9. Neapolitan Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  10. Anatolian Shepherd vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  11. Leonberger vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  12. Alaunt vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  13. Bully Kutta vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  14. Alangu Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  15. Mountain Burmese vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  16. Gaddi Kutta vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  17. Pyrenean Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  18. Bisben vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  19. American Staghound vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  20. American Staghound vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  21. Moscow Watchdog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  22. Nebolish Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  23. Shiloh Shepherd vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  24. Irish Mastiff Hound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  25. Spanish Mastiff vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  26. St. Bernard vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  27. Kars Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  28. Cao de Gado Transmontano vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  29. Broholmer vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  30. Moscow Water Dog vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  31. Ciobanesc de Bucovina vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  32. Dachshund vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  33. Bloodhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  34. Miniature Dachshund vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  35. Pharaoh Hound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  36. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  37. Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  38. Hungarian Vizsla vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  39. Greyhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  40. Redbone Coonhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  41. Bluetick Coonhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  42. Norwegian Elkhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  43. Francais Blanc et Noir vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  44. Saluki vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  45. Coonhound vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds