English Foxhound Breed Description

Introduction

A good voice, a keen nose, a rugged constitution and an ability to get along with other dogs are all hallmarks of the English Foxhound. These dogs are bold, active, passionate hunters. They are responsive and obedient to their masters, but their training takes patience. They are good with children and friendly with people but prefer to be in the company of other dogs. Grooming needs are minimal. Comb or brush regularly, but bathe only when necessary. They are average shedders. Keep these dogs on a leash when walking or they will take off after interesting scents. They weigh 65 to 70 lbs. and stand 21-25" at the shoulders.

History

This the dog in all those paintings and drawings of the traditional fox hunt: the pack of tri-colored eager hounds pursuing the fox with an obvious glee. Since the 1800s, meticulous records have been maintained of every pack of English Foxhounds (there are currentlyl 250) in the British Isles; American records go back to the 1890s (there are over 100 U.S. packs).

From the beginning, the Master of the Hounds saw to the breeding of these important dogs and they created a database relied on to this day.

Description

Stouter than its American counterpart, the English Foxhound is a sturdy dog that is ready to run. They look most familiar in the tricolor version of black, white and tan; lemon and white and solid white are other acceptable colors, as are any combination of the tricolors and all the pie colors.

No single trait is as important as the overall grace and form of the English Foxhound. Symmetry is the key word here. Full size head has a pronounced brown. Long wide nose with open nostrils for expert scent trailing, English Foxhounds have low-set ears that lie close to the cheeks. These dogs' ears were cropped in a style referred to as ‘rounding', meaning that 1.5" is taken off the ears. It remains to be seen whether this will survive current changes in Europe as to the docking and cropping of animals. Teeth meet squarely. The neck must be no less than 10" from head to shoulder, tapering slightly with a convex upper edge. Shoulders are long and smoothly muscled. There are proportion standards for the size of the dog's chest: the AKC Standard notes the girth should be 31" for a 24" (at the shoulder) hound.Back and loin join smoothly, with muscles evident. The legs must be perfectly straight, ending in cat-type feet.

Temperament

English Foxhounds are not housepets and make poor companion animals. They need to be with other dogs in a pack, outside, with plenty of daily exercise, preferably foxhunting. They must be leashed for walks, as they will bolt after interesting scents.

Health and Care

The coat of the English Foxhound requires no grooming. It is dense, glossy and short. Regular nail trimming will help the dog's gait. As with any dog, dental hygiene will preserve their teeth.

Colors

Usually a combination of black, white, and tan in a tri-color coat, but can also be white with another color, like orange, yellow, etc.

Living Area

As it can be expected, the English Foxhound is not a dog that likes to be kept indoors for long periods of time. Not recommended for apartment life, this dog breed needs to have a lot of space to run around with all of its excess energy. You will want to have a large yard or a large green space that will help this dog use their natural activity levels.This is a dog breed that wants to run around as much as possible, so you will need a large space that this dog can access easily.

Recognized By

CKC, FCI, AKC, UKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, APRI, ACR

Pets4You offers listings of English Foxhound breeders with puppies for sale.