f-o-x-h-o-u-n-d
FOXHOUND A medium to large-sized dog breed traditionally used for fox hunting; known for stamina, keen scenting ability, and pack mentality. In word games, FOXHOUND scores 22 base points.
22
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
The foxhound embodies centuries of selective breeding for a singular purpose: the pursuit of foxes across the English countryside. These athletic canines combine speed, endurance, and an extraordinary sense of smell, making them the quintessential hunting companion. Their distinctive bay can be heard for miles, a sound that once echoed across rural estates from dawn till dusk.
Two main varieties exist: the English Foxhound and the American Foxhound. The English variety, dating to the 13th century, stands slightly larger with a more substantial build. The American Foxhound, developed from English stock by George Washington and other colonial hunters, is leaner and faster, adapted to American terrain. Both breeds share the characteristic tri-color coat (black, white, and tan), long drooping ears, and the gentle disposition that makes them excellent pack dogs.
Beyond hunting, foxhounds have found new roles as family pets and show dogs. Their pack mentality makes them sociable and good with children, though their high energy requires substantial exercise. The breed's stamina is legendary—foxhounds can run for hours without tiring, covering 20-30 miles in a single hunt. This endurance, combined with their melodious voice and striking appearance, has made them icons of traditional field sports.
For Scrabble strategists, FOXHOUND offers exceptional value as an 8-letter bingo word. The high-scoring X (8 points) combined with common letters creates flexible placement options. Using all eight letters earns the coveted 50-point bonus, potentially turning FOXHOUND into a 70+ point play. The word's structure allows for various hooks and extensions, making it a powerful addition to any serious player's vocabulary.
FOXHOUND combines two Anglo-Saxon words: "fox" (from Old English "fox") and "hound" (from Old English "hund"). The compound term emerged in the 1570s as fox hunting evolved from necessity to sport among English nobility. The word reflects the breed's specific purpose—unlike general hunting dogs, foxhounds were bred exclusively for fox pursuit. The linguistic construction follows the pattern of other purpose-bred dogs: deerhound, wolfhound, and otterhound. This naming convention, unique to English, directly links the animal to its quarry, a practice that spread throughout the British Empire with the sport itself.
•FOXHOUND is one of the few 8-letter words containing X, making it a prime bingo candidate worth 70+ points
•George Washington bred American Foxhounds at Mount Vernon and is considered the father of the American breed
•A foxhound's sense of smell is 1,000 times more sensitive than humans, detecting scents days old
"The pack of foxhounds bayed excitedly as they picked up the scent trail through the morning mist."
"Despite their hunting heritage, modern foxhounds make gentle family pets when given adequate exercise."
Other valuable 8-letter words for maximizing your score:
Total base points: 22 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 3 (O, O, U) | Consonants: 5 (F, X, H, N, D)
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like FOXHOUND