English Foxhound
Other name: Foxhound
The English Foxhound is a proud and very active dog, a family man who loves to work outdoors and may feel restrained by city life. While the Foxhound can make a great addition to the right home, it is worth noting that – sadly – his bounteous skills and energies are mostly exploited for foxhunting, rather than as a pet. Pet owners can satisfy his urges with long walks and runs, and games of fetch. If you can make this fast chasing-dog out from the blur he leaves when running, you’ll find him a handsome and noble creature.
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Life expectancy |
The English Foxhound has a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years |
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Temperament |
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Size |
Large
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Adult size |
Female
Between 23 and 25 in
Male
Between 23 and 25 in
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Adult weight |
Female
Between 55 and 77 lb
Male
Between 55 and 77 lb
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Coat colour
Usually white with any combination of tan, red, or black markings. |
Black
White
Brown
Blue
Red
Sand
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Type of coat
Short, dense, and waterproof. |
Short
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Eye colour
Hazel or brown. |
Brown
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Purchase price |
The English Foxhound costs between £350 and £1050 |
This dog is not commonly kept as a pet and it can take some time to find an available puppy. The English Foxhound is one of the ancestors of the very popular breed: the English Pointer.
More details about the English Foxhound
English Foxhound: Origins and history
Up until the middle-ages, the fox was generally hunted by farmers and working people to protect livestock. But with the dwindling of the British stag population, the aristocracy – who had, until now, sated their bloodlust with the hunting of deer – elected to hunt foxes for sport instead. Around the 16-17th century, efforts were made to develop a dog breed that took the tracking skills of traditional stag hounds and the pace and agility of nippier dogs, and the English Foxhound was born. He has remained in work ever since, only rarely becoming a house dog, and even then not until his retirement years. Since the 18th century, the British Foxhound Association has been managing the Masters’ book of origins, which lists the genealogies of all Foxhounds.
Physical characteristics of the English Foxhound
The Foxhound may be kind of pretty, but he’s also tall and strong. This barrel-chested sportsman has a large skull and a medium-long beak which nestles beneath two dreamy and somewhat melancholic eyes. His ears are seductively flappy, his coat beautifully patterned, and his tail firm and erect. But like so many sportsmen, he is susceptible to piling on the pounds when out of training – so if you spot a dog that matches this description, perhaps on the portly side, you may have found yourself an English Foxhound. N.B. This creature is slightly stouter and shorter in the leg than his near-identical cousin the American Foxhound.
FCI classification of the English Foxhound
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Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
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Section 1 : Scent hounds
English Foxhound: Characteristics
The Foxhound can be very affectionate towards his nearest and dearest.
This dog loves to play, and educational games will help with training.
He has high energy levels but can be both tolerant and gentle, especially if he has had a busy day.
The English Foxhound is intelligent, and can take advantage of an overly lenient human.
This dog is first and foremost a hunter, and loves the chase.
He is not usually nervous or aggressive towards strangers but may be aloof or reserved in their company.
This is a dog who can fulfil the role of a pet, but is particularly independent and needs a lot of physical exercise.
English Foxhound: Behaviour
This dog does not appreciate alone time and may become very destructive if neglected.
The Foxhound can be stubborn, and a good understanding of foxhound mentality is recommended.
This dog barks and howls like nothing you’ve ever heard outside of the cartoon realm.
He loves his family but will give them up in an instant if he catches an irresistible scent.
This dog is powerful and also gets powerfully lonely; leave him alone for a long period of time and your three-piece suite may become a several-hundred-piece suite.
Treats are very much appreciated, and a great motivator for training.
His natural mistrust of strangers and his sense of territory make him a good guardian. However, he is never aggressive.
Training a English Foxhound
The Foxhound can be stubborn, and a good understanding of foxhound mentality is recommended.
English Foxhound: Lifestyle
Not recommended. He’s too big and requires a lot of exercise. A large house, preferably in the countryside, is ideal.
He will happily follow (or lead) you for miles and miles everyday, and certainly requires more than an hour of adventure to sate his needs and keep him trim.
His size means that he is not ideal for public transport, but if acclimatized to car travel from puppyhood it should not be a problem. He would rather follow his master than be left alone.
Breed compatibility English Foxhound
He should tolerate the family cat if accustomed to it from puppyhood, but it might not be a good idea to leave them alone together. The size of a cat can be similar to the size of a fox (his favourite prey), and so they are liable to draw pursuit from this avid hunter.
The Foxhound is a real dog-dog and loves the company of his fellow canines. If raised in a private home, it is important to ensure he is well socialised with other dogs from a young age.
The Foxhound is usually gentle and loving with children, as long as they respect the usual dog boundaries.
The Foxhound can be a grand companion, so long as his human counterparts are capable of taking him for extensive daily exercise.
He can be a bit much to handle for first-time owners, since he has high energy needs, tricky training requirements, and generally prefers life working among other dogs.
English Foxhound: Purchase price
Between £350 for Non KC Registered Dogs, and £1,050 for KC Registered Dogs. Looking after a dog such as the Foxhound typically costs between £60 to £100 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
English Foxhound: Shedding
Average
Moderate shedder.
English Foxhound: Grooming
This dog’s coat is durable and requires little grooming. Weekly brushing, with special attention paid to the ear flaps, is recommended.
English Foxhound: Health
The Foxhound is generally a healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
This is a tough and durable dog.
Fairly well, but it’s not recommended to work this dog too intensively during a heat wave.
His fur gives him fairly good protection from the cold.
His high energy helps him to maintain his trim form.
- Bloating (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Ear infections
- Obesity
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