English Foxhound

The English Foxhound is the original of the two foxhound breeds of dog. They are scent hounds, bred to hunt by scent.

Appearance

The English Foxhound is about 21-25 inches tall to the withers, and weighs anywhere between 65-75 pounds. The skull is wide, the muzzle is long, and eyes carry a sweet expression. The legs are muscular, straight-boned, and the paws are rounded, almost cat-like.

Temperament

The English Foxhound was originally a pack hound, thus, it gets along well with other dogs and enjoys human companionship. It gets along with horses, children, and other pets, seeing as it is a gentle, social, and tolerant breed.

It is a very active breed that enjoys the hunt. Though it is slower than the American Foxhound it enjoys running and will run all day with very few breaks in between.

Health

There are very few health factors in this breed. Occasionally seen are chronic hip dysplasia and renal disease. The breed's lifespan is typically 10-13 years

History

The longest surviving breed, the modern English Foxhound was created in the late 1700s. It was created by a delicate mix between a Greyhound, Bulldog, and Fox Terrier. The Greyhound allowed the foxhound to be quick on its feet. The Fox Terrier helped to enhance the hunter in the breed, and the Bulldog gave it a wider chest and more muscle.

Studbooks for this breed were kept as early as the 1800s.

The dogs were meant to trail foxes and live around horses. They are still used for those purposes.

Exercise

The English Foxhound is a very energetic breed. It needs plenty of exercise. This breed needs area to run. If confined to a small area, the foxhound may become destructive. The apartment life is not one for the English Foxhound.

Books about English Foxhound Dogs