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.

Checked by animal care professional

Comment •

Life expectancy	The English Foxhound has a life expectancy of between 10 and 12 years
Temperament	High prey drive
Size	Large
Adult size	Female Between 23 and 25 in Male Between 23 and 25 in
Adult weight	Female Between 55 and 77 lb Male Between 55 and 77 lb
Coat colour	Black White Brown Blue Red Sand
Type of coat	Short
Eye colour	Brown
Purchase price	The English Foxhound costs between £350 and £1050

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.

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.

FCI classification of the English Foxhound

Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section 1 : Scent hounds

English Foxhound: Characteristics

More or less affectionate

The Foxhound can be very affectionate towards his nearest and dearest.

Moderately playful

This dog loves to play, and educational games will help with training.

More or less calm

He has high energy levels but can be both tolerant and gentle, especially if he has had a busy day.

Moderate intelligence

The English Foxhound is intelligent, and can take advantage of an overly lenient human.

High prey drive

This dog is first and foremost a hunter, and loves the chase.

Fearful of strangers

He is not usually nervous or aggressive towards strangers but may be aloof or reserved in their company.

Moderately independent

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

Can't tolerate being left alone

This dog does not appreciate alone time and may become very destructive if neglected.

Not very easy to train

The Foxhound can be stubborn, and a good understanding of foxhound mentality is recommended.

Tends to be very vocal

This dog barks and howls like nothing you’ve ever heard outside of the cartoon realm.

Has a tendency to run away

He loves his family but will give them up in an instant if he catches an irresistible scent.

Has a tendency destructive

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.

Moderately food motivated

Treats are very much appreciated, and a great motivator for training.

Very good watchdog

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 very compatible with living in a flat

Not recommended. He’s too big and requires a lot of exercise. A large house, preferably in the countryside, is ideal.

Needs a lot of exercise

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.

Moderately easy to travel with

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

Not very compatible with cats

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.

Moderately compatible with other dogs

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.

Compatible with children

The Foxhound is usually gentle and loving with children, as long as they respect the usual dog boundaries.

Moderately compatible with senior owners

The Foxhound can be a grand companion, so long as his human counterparts are capable of taking him for extensive daily exercise.

Not recommended for a first-time owner

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.