English Foxhound

The history of this breed dates back to the 16th centuary. Until then, stag hunting was popular in England, utilizing heavier and slower dogs. However, with the decline of the deer population and changes to the landscape (deforestation), the cunning and agile fox became the aristocracy’s new object of passion. The old types of hounds were no longer suitable for hunting them – they were simply too slow.

Breeders began crossing massive hounds of the Bloodhound type with lighter and faster breeds, such as Greyhounds, and likely terriers to add some aggression towards the quarry. The result was a dog that combined a phenomenal nose with the ability to reach high speeds across rough terrain. It is worth noting that English Foxhound genetics influenced the development of many European breeds. For instance, the elegant Poitevin Hound has the blood of these English “fox chasers” in its veins, which gave it stamina.

The English Foxhound gives an impression of power without being overweight. It is a balanced animal with a deep chest, ensuring sufficient lung capacity for long runs. The back is straight and broad, and the loin is strong. The legs are a particular pride of the breed: they must be perfectly straight with strong bone, and the paws compact (“cat-like”), allowing the dog to avoid injury on difficult ground.

Special attention is paid to the neck – it must be long so the dog can run comfortably with its nose lowered to the ground. The tail (stern) is set high, carried saber-fashion, and never curled over the back.

The English Foxhound is the extrovert of the canine world. Centuries of breeding aimed at working in large packs (sometimes 50 dogs or more) have completely eradicated aggression towards their own kind. If you are looking for a dog that will start conflicts with other dogs at the park, the Foxhound is definitely not it. They are friendly, tolerant, and social.

However, this “pack mentality” has a flip side. This breed tolerates solitude poorly. Left alone in a flat, a Foxhound can become destructive or a “singer”, whose loud, melodic baying will be heard by all the neighbours. In this regard, they differ radically from more independent breeds, such as the active Rat Terrier, which, whilst energetic, is more oriented towards individual work and guarding territory against vermin, or the giant Irish Wolfhound, which behaves much more phlegmatically and calmly at home.

To the untrained eye, many hounds look alike, but there are significant differences in their work and exterior. The English Foxhound is the “golden mean” amongst its relatives.

For example, the American Foxhound, which descends from the English, is somewhat lighter, leggier, and faster, as American hunting often took place on rougher terrain. On the other hand, there is the Harrier – a breed often confused with the Foxhound. The Harrier is smaller in size and intended mainly for hunting hare, where manoeuvrability is needed more than absolute speed. Visually, however, it looks like a scaled-down copy of the Foxhound.

This is where it gets interesting. Many sources call Foxhounds “hard to train”. This isn’t entirely true. They are intelligent, but their minds are honed for independent decision-making during the chase. They won’t gaze into your eyes waiting for the “sit” command if their nose has caught a fresh scent.

The key to success is positive reinforcement and patience. Harsh methods do not work; they will only make the dog withdrawn. The main problem on walks is “deafness” to commands when the hunting instinct kicks in. Therefore, mastering the recall command must be priority number one from day one.

Keeping an English Foxhound requires an understanding of its nature. This is not a sofa dog. The ideal environment is a country house with a large enclosed area and another canine companion. They can be kept in a flat, but this requires titanic effort on the owner’s part regarding exercise.

• Coat: Maintenance is minimal. It is enough to go over it once a week with a special mitt or a natural bristle brush to remove dead hair. Shedding is average.
• Ears: This is a weak spot for all drop-eared dogs. Due to poor ventilation of the ear canal, moisture can accumulate and infection can develop. Checks and cleaning must be regular, especialy after walks in the woods.
• Claws: Foxhounds have strong claws that grow quickly. If the dog doesn’t run enough on hard ground (tarmac, stone), the claws need trimming.

Overall, this is a very healthy breed, as weak individuals simply did not survive the rigorous selection process of the hunt. They do not suffer from excessive overbreeding. However, there are a number of conditions a future owner should be aware of.

Since the English Foxhound expends a colossal amount of energy, its diet must be appropriate. If the dog is used for real hunting or sport (canicross, bikejoring), it needs high-calorie food with a high protein and fat content. For a family pet with moderate exercise, calories should be reduced, as Foxhounds love to eat and can quickly gain excess weight, which puts strain on their joints.

It is important to adhere to a feeding schedule: never feed the dog directly before an active run or immediately after it to avoid gastric torsion (bloat) – a dangerous condition common among dogs with deep chests.

Pros

• No aggression towards people: Ideally suited for large families.
• Robust health: Hardy, rarely suffer from genetic ailments.
• Easy coat care: Require no complex grooming.
• Sociability: Get on famously with other dogs.

Cons

• Need for activity: A 20-minute walk around the block is far too little for them. They need miles of running.
• Hunting instinct: Can run off after a scent, ignoring commands. Dangerous for cats and small animals (if not socialised from puppyhood).
• Voice: They love to bark and howl, especially out of boredom.
• Specific odour: Like many hunting dogs, they can have a stronger “doggy” smell than decorative breeds.

• In the UK, there are stud books for this breed that have been kept continuously since the 18th century. It is one of the best-documented pedigrees in the animal kingdom.
• Even today, in large packs, dogs are often counted in pairs (“couples”). So, if a huntsman says he has 20 couples, that means 40 dogs.
• The shape of the Foxhound’s paw is considered the gold standard for all dogs working on endurance.

Is the English Foxhound suitable for a flat?
Theoretically yes, but practically – no. They need space and movement. Apartment life often turns into a prison for them unless the owner is a marathon runner.

How are they with children?
Very good. They are patient and not prone to aggression. However, due to their size and activity levels, they might accidentally knock over a small child during play.

Are they hard to feed?
No, they are not fussy eaters. The main thing is a balance of nutrients and portion control.