English Foxhound
Other names: 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.
Key facts about the English Foxhound
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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.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 1 : Scent hounds
Physical characteristics of the English Foxhound
Adult size
Female : Between 23 and 25 in
Male : Between 23 and 25 in
Weight
Female : Between 55 and 77 lb
Male : Between 55 and 77 lb
Coat colour
Usually white with any combination of tan, red, or black markings.
Type of coat
Short, dense, and waterproof.
Eye colour
Hazel or brown.
Description
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.
Good to know
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.
Temperament
Behaviour of the English Foxhound
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Compatibility
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.
Grooming
This dog’s coat is durable and requires little grooming. Weekly brushing, with special attention paid to the ear flaps, is recommended.
Shedding
Moderate shedder.
Nutrition of the English Foxhound
Three cups of high quality dog food divided over multiple meals each day should give the Foxhound what he needs. He’ll gladly eat more if offered, but he should not run on a full belly.
Health of the English Foxhound
Life expectancy
The Foxhound is generally a healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.
Strong / robust
This is a tough and durable dog.
Withstand heat
Fairly well, but it’s not recommended to work this dog too intensively during a heat wave.
Withstand cold
His fur gives him fairly good protection from the cold.
Tendency to put on weight
His high energy helps him to maintain his trim form.
Common illnesses
- Bloating (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
- Ear infections
- Obesity