Trigg Hound

		Trigg Hound
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			U.S.A.
Translation			Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Trigg Hound

The American Foxhound, a mix of English, Irish and French Foxhounds, was developed in the Kentucky region of the United States in the 1800s. In the 1800s, several breeders were striving to develop a dog particularly suited to hunting the long-legged red fox that had begun migrating west from Virginia. Each breeder's strain differed slightly from the others, both physically and behaviorally. The strain developed by Colonel Haiden C. Trigg is slightly smaller, with a longer muzzle and a stiffer overall build than the other Foxhounds. These dogs are generally easy to groom, eager to please and friendly, but they require a lot of exercise and attention.

History of the Trigg Hound

In the mid-to-late 1800s, the red fox was introduced to Kentucky on its westward migration from Virginia, and the career change from gray to red fox caused problems for the Foxhounds that had previously dominated the area. The red fox was larger than its cousin and had a much larger litter, making it harder to track than the smaller gray fox. Foxhound hunters and breeders looked for a way to develop a faster dog with a stronger propensity for hunting. George Washington Maupin, Larry F. Birdsong and John W. Walker each developed their own strains. Maupin and Walker, in particular, frequently used a black and tan rat-tailed dog named Tennesee Lead as the stallion for their bloodlines. No one knew Tennesee Lead's origin, but it was clear that he was some kind of foxhound; he had been acquired from a man named Tom Harris, who had spotted the animal on a deer hunt near the Kentucky border, and he was a tough hound. When Colonel Haiden C. Trigg decided to develop a faster hound breed to hunt faster foxes, he chose dogs from the other three breeders and combined them to achieve his goals. The dogs he developed were not considered particularly attractive, but they were exceptional hunters, endowed with stamina, courage and a keen sense of foxing. These dogs gained great popularity with hunters after the famous big game hunter Paul J. Rainey returned from hunting with twenty-five dogs of the new Trigg Hound strain and declared them the best and bravest hounds in the world.

Appearance of the Trigg Hound

The Trigg Hound strain tends to be a leaner animal, and they have a rather racy form compared to other American Foxhounds, but still with substantial power. Like most strains or breeds of American Foxhound, it has very strong, straight legs designed to help it keep up with long-legged red foxes on many types of terrain, as well as a powerfully built hindquarters to help it move forward. His head is full and strong, but never heavy or ponderous, and his muzzle is full, a little longer than average, and usually ends in a broad black nose. Its dark eyes are deeper-set than the average dog's, and its long, hanging ears sit low on the head and hang beyond the jaw. Although its short, stiff coat can be any color, only tricolors and bicolors are recognized by hobbyists and breeders.

Temperament of the Trigg Hound

The Trigg Hound possesses the same intense will to pursue as other American Foxhounds, as well as their stamina and endurance. Although particularly inclined to pursue other canines such as foxes and coyotes, they are capable of tracking most types of animals that don't flee to trees, including wild boar and bears. These dogs have a strong propensity for hunting, making them unsuitable for homes with several types of pet, but they work well with other dogs and are very keen to learn new tricks. Training sessions are most effective if they are short and varied, as these dogs have a limited attention span and may find it hard to accept the idea of housetraining. They are determined and hard-working in the field, and very playful and energetic at home. They like to be close to their owners as often as possible, and if left alone too often or for too long, they can end up developing separation anxiety, leading to distressing, even destructive behaviors.

Needs and activities of the Trigg Hound

The Trigg Hound is an extremely active breed, designed with stamina and endurance in mind. As such, this dog needs plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy throughout its life. Hounds that don't get enough physical activity during the day are more likely to develop problems such as separation anxiety and depression, sometimes resulting in vexatious vocalizations and other annoying, destructive behaviors. Because of their natural tendency to vocalize and their high need for physical activity, these dogs are not suited to apartment living and are generally happiest in a large house with a garden to run around in.

Maintenance of the Trigg Hound

The coat of any strain of American Foxhound is generally quite weather-resistant. It's a good idea to avoid bathing too often, so as not to deprive the coat of its natural protective oils. These dogs shed moderately, but this is usually easily managed by careful weekly brushing with a stiff bristle brush, a long-haired brush or even a simple grooming glove. As with other dogs with hanging ears, it's especially important to keep the Trigg Hound's ears clean, dry and free of debris, as it can be slightly more prone to ear infections than other breeds.