All About CharlieThe 2013 Gadsby's Tavern Dog Ken Landon tell us How
Charlie and I Met:
"Charlie" came to me one morning (spring 2008) as
I was up early in my flower garden. My neighbor asked if I'd seen "that dog walking up and
down the street?" I replied no, I hadn't seen any dog. At that second he came
trotting down the sidewalk. I was concerned for his safety, so I called him and
he came to me, and let me lead him into my house then the backyard for
safekeeping. He was wearing a collar and looked a little rough. He needed to be
fed and his coat was dry and coarse. He also had an ear irritation and cold in
one eye. After calling the "owner" (he never answered the phone)
I knocked on the door twice, to no avail. My neighbor thought the dog had been
turned out, since the owner was now in a wheelchair. Perhaps he could no longer
hunt with the dog. The dog crates in his
backyard were also removed. There were no "lost dog" signs posted,
and animal control of PG County had not responded to my query for such a dog. I took the dog to my vet and told him the story, he stated
"He's your dog now." The vet thought he was a "mixed hound." A customer
in the lobby corrected the staff and informed us he was an "American
Foxhound." She also urged me not to return the dog. It was her opinion
that many hunters treat the dogs shamefully. This appears to be just the case. My neighbor commented to me later that she “saw him walking
up and down the street as if he were looking for someone." I responded, “Yes,
he was looking for me!” She would also remind me about what a "good
friend" he turned out to be! Indeed, he is a great friend. None finer than
my Charlie boy! I have always been proud of him for what a gentle, sweet dog he
is, and now to see that recognized publicly is priceless. Ken tells us about American Foxhounds:The American Foxhound is directly descended from English
hounds brought to America in 1650 and bred over a century later to a French
hound sent as a gift by Lafayette to George Washington. Washington ran a
breeding program and often mentioned the hounds in his journals. The two
breeds, French and English, in combination have produced the American Foxhound.
The American Foxhound has an excellent nose and is very fast when giving
chase. He has great stamina for running and a musical bay. Primarily a hunting
and field trial dog in both packs and alone, he has also had success as
a companion dog for those owners who provide enough exercise and activities. Its
talents are hunting, tracking, watchdog and agility. The American Foxhound is
somewhat faster and lighter than his English Cousin with a better sense of
scent. George Washington is considered the "father" of this uniquely American
breed. Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1886, the American
Foxhound is one of the rarest American dog breeds. His appearance is usually a tricolor
of black, white and Amber color, with long ears framing his handsome face, he
is also long legged and 21"-25" at the shoulder His eyes are brown or
amber with an endearing gaze. There are various strains such as the
"Walker" Foxhound, which is one of the most popular strains, but all
strains are considered American Foxhounds. The American Foxhound temperament is
sweet, friendly and loyal. They are amiable and very fond of children and
strangers. Since they are "pack
dogs" they get along well with
other dogs. These are high energy dogs that need to be walked regularly and
though they are gentle, they are fearless when on the "hunt" or
acting as a watchdog. Strong, smart and stubborn, American Foxhounds are
athletic with speed and agility. They are tenacious when tracking a scent. They also make a tremendous jumper with their muscular bodies that resemble thoroughbreds.
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