When a fox was started none rode more gallantly or cheered more joyously than did he and as a rule he was in at the death, for, as Jefferson asserts, he was "the best horseman of his age, and the most magnificent figure that could be seen on horseback." The fox that was generally hunted was the gray fox, which was indigenous to the country.

After the Revolution the red fox began to be seen occasionally.

They are supposed to have come from the Eastern Shore, and to have crossed Chesapeake Bay on the ice in the hard winter of 1779-80.
Custis tells of a famous black fox that would go ten or twenty miles before the hounds and return to the starting-point ready for another run next day.

After many unsuccessful chases Billy recommended that the black reynard be let alone, saying he was near akin to another sable and wily character.

Thereafter the huntsman was always careful to throw off the hounds when he suspected that they were on the trail of the black fox.