Complete Guide To The English Foxhound
English Foxhounds are as influential to British heritage as the monarchy. As gracious and proud, they keep calm and carry on. These are not very common dog in the States, but they are practically a UK staple across the pond.
Table of Contents
How Big Do English Foxhounds Get?
| Height | Weight | |
| Male | 24″ at the shoulder | 60-70 lbs |
| Female | 24″ at the shoulder | 65-75 lbs |
What Do English Foxhounds Look Like?
English Foxhounds weigh 60-75 pounds. Tall, broad-chested and lean, they strike a stately, statuesque pose. Chin-length ears frame a square, aristocratic muzzle and thoughtful brown eyes that make you wonder what they’re thinking.
Their short glossy coats come in the typical hound colors of black, tan and white or white and some shade of tan, such as lemon or yellow. Unlike some breeds, color is less important in the ring than conformation with emphasis put on balance and symmetry. Utility matters more than appearance.
What Is The Personality Of An English Foxhound?
English Foxhounds are affectionate but not needy or demonstrative. Pack hunters, they enjoy human companionship but prefer the company of other dogs. Athletic and independent, they’re happiest outdoors with room to run and won’t be happy in confined settings — bred for fieldwork, they’re reluctant house pets.
Highly instinctual, Foxhounds on a mission have a singular focus and will stay on a scent until they’re exhausted. Non-sporting dogs need early socialization to be comfortable in an all-people world. But with the right training and an active family, they can be sterling family companions.
How Much Exercise Do English Foxhounds Need?
English Foxhounds were bred to run in packs and chase foxes, accompanying hunters on horseback. They need the type of vigorous exercise that doesn’t fit in most people’s daily schedules. Having a secure outdoor space where they can roam at will helps them burn off physical and mental energy.
Well-trained, they make willing running partners. But if they catch a whiff of something more interesting than where you want to go, be prepared to follow. If they don’t have canine friends at home, they’ll appreciate visits to the dog park.
How Much Grooming Do English Foxhounds Need?
English Foxhounds have short double coats that shed moderately year-round and more seasonally. But grooming is nearly effortless with the right approach. Consistent care tames shedding and maintains their glossy luster.
Their hair is naturally soil- and moisture-resistant, but weekly brushing with a pin brush or hound glove removes dirt and dead hair while distributing moisturizing skin oils. A shampoo every six months is plenty unless they get visibly dirty — overbathing strips their coat of shine.
Like most hounds, English Foxhounds are vulnerable to ear infections. Their long pinnae obstruct their ear canals, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Occasional cleaning with a gentle, alcohol-free solution removes excess wax and helps prevent irritation.
Active, most Foxhounds will wear their nails down naturally on abrasive outdoor surfaces, but they have sensitive feet prone to discomfort if their nails overgrow. Check them monthly and trim them as needed.
What Kind Of Dog Food Is Best For English Foxhounds?
Personally I believe that most foods are fine for most dogs. Some dogs may not do well on some foods. However, as a rule I don’t blanket-prohibit any dietary ingredient from any breed at this time.
As a veterinarian, I tend to lean towards dog foods from the larger, more established dog food companies. They tend to have less recalls and issues with production than the smaller boutique companies. More times than not, if a patient is having GI upset due to food, it’s from one of these newer, “boutique” companies.
Best Puppy Food For English Foxhounds:
Best Adult Food For English Foxhounds:
- Purina Pro Plan Large Breed
- Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food
- Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Adult
- Merrick Classic Healthy Grains Dry Dog Food
Please don’t listen to the folks at the pet store trying to convince you to buy a grain-free diet for your dog. There’s zero science behind that and vets are actually seeing diseases now related to feeding grain-free foods.
It’s very important they remain at their optimal weight throughout their life. Have your vet go over with you exactly where to feel to know when your dog is too big.
How Long Do English Foxhounds Live?
10-13 years according to information from the AKC
What Health Problems Do English Foxhounds Have?
Foxhounds are a very healthy breed but they can have all the typical health concerns that many other dogs have including allergies, hip dysplasia, and more.
There isn’t any particular disease condition that is more prevalent in this breed.
Where Can I Learn More About English Foxhounds?
I searched to try and find a website for the English Foxhound Club of America, but as of now there isn’t one available. Instead, there’s a list of contact info on the AKC site.
You might take a look at the Facebook page for the Foxhound Club of Great Britain.
Where Can I Find A English Foxhound?
Keep an eye out on the AKC puppy marketplace for any available dogs.
Interesting Facts About the English Foxhound
The English Foxhound has a long and noble history.
Did you know?
• They Were Once Stag Hounds
The development of the English Foxhound is well-documented since the 1800s, but they’ve existed since the 13th century. Once bred to hunt stag, they became fox hunters only when the deer population waned. From the 1200s to the 1800s, they were selectively bred for changing needs as their quarry shifted but have remained virtually unchanged for the past three centuries.
• Fox Hunting Is Controversial
Foxes are predators, so in some nations, hunting them is a service to farmers. Animal rights activists, however, suggest it’s a brutal practice that should be ended.
The controversy continues today, especially in Great Britain where many want to continue the traditional fox hunt as a means of preserving their heritage. It was banned in Scotland in 2002, and in the US, it continues but without harming the foxes — the pursuit ends when they “go to ground,” hiding in their dens.
• Few Are Kept as Pets
Very few English Foxhounds are kept as family pets in the United States. Most are collaboratively owned by hunting clubs that care for the dogs in kennels, running them daily to keep them physically and mentally fit. There are over 100 packs in America today.
• They’re Ancestors to Many American Hounds
Early American colonialists and the British gentry hunted different prey, so their dogs needed unique skills. For settlers, it was a matter of survival, so they quickly bred hounds to track fox, raccoon, deer and more using English Foxhounds as foundation stock. There’s a bit of this manor-born dog in many American breeds from coonhounds to the American Foxhound.
