Dog Breeds > English Foxhound

The English Foxhound

The English Foxhound is a great pet for experienced pet owners. They are good hunters using their keen sense of smell and athletic physique to effectively catch prey. They are the most uncommon breed in the US with less than 20 reported.

Energy Playfulness Intelligence Grooming Popularity

Fascinating Facts

The English Foxhound is a mix between three breeds: the Bulldog, Greyhound and Fox Terrier. These three breeds are known for their speed, determination and superb hunting capabilities and were mixed to come up with a new breed who inherited all of these traits. It was during King Henry VIII’s reign in the 1500s that this breed was born. It was initially used for hunting foxes which was a popular sport among the nobles.

Physical Appearance

The English Foxhound is a big dog with an athletic build. It has an elongated muzzle and a broad skull with ears hanging low to its cheeks. Their legs are muscled and paws rounded. Despite their big size weighing 65-75 lbs with a height of 21-25 inches, their facial expression is sweet and adorable. Their coat is short and glossy and come in colors of white, tan, black or a mix of these.

Grooming

This breed is low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. They do not shed as much when their coat is properly trimmed which makes them a great dog choice for those with allergies. Only occasional brushing is needed. However, a wet cloth may be used to remove dirt and loose hair.

Mood

English Foxhounds are very energetic, playful and amicable which make them good companion pets. However, they may take longer to be more mature and will remain playful for quite a while. This breed has a very strong sense of independence and may need a more experienced owner. They are also sociable with other dogs but not so much with smaller animals because of their hunting instincts. They are very loyal and will bark at strangers which make them good watchdogs.

With Children

This breed is very friendly around children but may accidentally knock down smaller children because of their big size. Likewise, rough play is not recommended because they tend to get excited and might accidentally hurt children. Playing catch is a safer game to play but children must always be supervised when playing with this breed.

Training & Exercise

Training this dog is hard that is why first time dog owners are discouraged from owning this breed because the skill and patience of an experienced dog owner is needed. This breed can run long distances because of its good stamina. They should be allowed to run or jog with the owner leading the way at least once a day to maintain good health. If attention and exercise is irregular, this breed tends to get bored and may become destructive.

Health & Life Expectancy

This breed is generally healthy and usually live up to 12 years. Renal and pancreas problems have been reported but are extremely rare. These may also be prevented with regular exercise and proper diet.

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