The English Foxhound has been bred for more than two centuries, with breeding books dating back to before 1800. English Foxhounds were sent to India during the British Raj for the purpose of jackal coursing, albeit they did not live long due to the hotter climate. Greyhounds were favored over foxhounds for this reason because the former were slower and thus could give a longer, more sporting pursuit. One of the four foxhound dog breeds is the English Foxhound. The American Foxhound is a relative of this breed. They’re scent hounds, developed to track down foxes using their sense of smell.
Foxhunting became popular as a luxury sport, and packs of hounds were attended to by Masters of Foxhounds, who was responsible for the canines’ care and breeding. Since the 18th century, studbooks for the English foxhound have been kept. Breeding lines and the work of those involved in the breeding of hounds are critical to the breed’s continued evolution.
Puppy shows are important events on the hunting calendar because they allow local hunters and traveling hound breeders to see the newest generation of hounds. The International Foxhound Association was founded in 2012 to promote the English Foxhound as a breed internationally.
Foxhunting grew in popularity to the point where 140 packs were registered in England alone by the late 1800s. Foxhounds arrived in America in the 1700s, but a large percentage of these dogs were eventually crossed with other breeds to create the American Foxhound.
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Physical Appearance
The English Foxhound is a large-boned dog with a robust frame. The size of the bone at the ankle is very crucial. This build, combined with the stifles’ comparatively straight angulation, favors stamina over speed. The muzzle is long and the skull is thick. The paws are rounded, almost cat-like, while the legs are robust and straight-boned.
The English Foxhound can be any hound color with a white basis, but the most common are tricolor, tan, red, or black with a white base. Showing English Foxhounds must be 20–27 inches (51–69 cm) tall at the withers, according to breed regulations. A full-grown English Foxhound should weigh between 55 and 75 pounds.
Behavior
As a pack hound, the English Foxhound gets along well with other dogs and appreciates human interaction. It is a calm, friendly, and tolerant breed that gets along with horses, children, and other pets. It is an active type that enjoys fox hunting and has the ability to run nonstop all day. They are, however, ardent sniffers and trailers who require daily exercise in a secure environment. When it comes to strangers, most people are reserved. They might not be the best fit for city life.
Training and Caring
The Foxhound is a laid-back breed that requires plenty of activity. They can run for kilometers and make excellent leashed jogging or hiking partners in a safe environment. English Foxhounds are fiercely independent and can be stubborn at times. Obedience training, on the other hand, can require some time and patience. Owners may have difficulty with the order, particularly if they are walking this dog without a leash.
When walking off-leash, their hunting instincts are easily stimulated, and they can run off in search of interesting ‘prey.’ The thick, short, and lustrous coat of the English Foxhound should be brushed monthly with a rough cloth or hound mitt to remove superfluous hair. They require grooming and, if they are extremely unclean or smelly, should be bathed on a regular basis.
Health
This breed has a low incidence of health issues. Chronic hip dysplasia, renal illness, and epilepsy are among the conditions that are occasionally found. The average lifetime of the breed is 10–13 years.
