The English Foxhound originated as a breed of hunting dog that was used to track foxes across rural England. These days, they can be found not only as a beloved household pet but also as fierce competitors in the conformation arena. Foxhound Performance Trials are a popular competition for English Foxhounds, where they are judged on how well they hunt in packs.
English Foxhounds are high-energy hunting canines who require long daily walks. Be wary if you live in an apartment building; this dog has high energy demands and may "talk up" frequently, neither of which are conducive to getting along with your neighbors. If you provide the exercise this breed needs, they will reward you with their playful and loving nature. Full information about the English Foxhound dog breed is provided in the next section!
Highlights
- English foxhounds require daily exercise of 30-60 minutes and a large fenced yard in which to run.
- If you live in an apartment, you shouldn't get an English Foxhound. Due to the breed's high energy levels, they are not suited to living in cramped quarters.
- Research the English Foxhound and speak with breeders before making a purchase. Because of the lack of available information, prospective owners of English Foxhounds may be tempted to make a hasty purchase without fully considering the breed's unique requirements.
- An English Foxhound's best interests are served by a firm and consistent owner. Training in obedience is essential, and it should start young.
- The English Foxhound is a friendly breed that gets along well with kids, but young dogs of this type can be hyper and jumpy. Because of this, they are not suggested for families with young children.
- As pack dogs, English Foxhounds thrive in households with additional canine companions. If there is only one dog in the house, it can cause boredom and destruction.
- As an endangered species, it may be tough to track down a reliable source for breeding English Foxhounds. There may be a lengthy wait list if a breeder has puppies for sale.
- The English Foxhound retains the hunting instinct for which it was bred. This is why it's important to keep them in a fenced yard and always keep them on a leash while taking them for a walk, as they may not return if they run off after anything they find fascinating.
- Even though the English foxhound gets along well with other pets, their prey drive means they may chase smaller animals.
- The English Foxhound breed is known for its booming bark. In spite of the fact that this quality makes them excellent watchdogs, it may also endear them to no one in their neighborhood.
- If you want a healthy dog, you should never buy one from a pet store, puppy mill, or backyard breeder. Find a breeder who puts her dogs through extensive tests to ensure they are free of heritable diseases and are of a good temperament before bringing them in to produce puppies.
Characteristics
Social Appearance
Adaptability
It's a common misconception that a little dog is better suited to living in a limited space. Many tiny dogs have too much energy and are too yappy to live in an apartment building. An apartment dog's best attributes include being quiet, low energy, somewhat peaceful indoors, and respectful to the other inhabitants. Your dog's personal space in your apartment can be improved by purchasing one of these fantastic dog cages.
Sensitivity Level
Depending on the dog, a strong rebuke can be taken in stride by some, while others regard even the tiniest hint of disapproval as a personal attack. If you have a loud or pushy owner, a chaotic home, or a routine that is unpredictable or variable, your low-sensitivity dog, often known as "easy-going," "tolerant," "resilient," or even "thick-skinned," will be able to handle it better. Do you have young children, host a lot of parties, or have a hectic lifestyle? Choose a dog that isn't overly sensitive.
Intensity
You can't tell from looking at them whether or not they're hyperactive, but when they do anything, they do it vigorously. They tug at their leashes (unless you teach them not to), they push their way through barriers, and they down their meals in huge, gobbling gulps. A home with young children or an elderly or feeble person may not be the best place for these dynamos to learn proper etiquette. On the other side, a dog with poor vitality adopts a more reserved demeanor.
Potential for Playfulness
The playful nature of certain dogs never fades away, and they're always ready for a game, whereas the reserved and serious tendencies of other dogs develop through time. Think about how many times a day you want to play fetch or tag with your dog, and whether or not you have children or other dogs who can act as substitutes.
Personality Appearance
Intelligence
In the same way as working dogs, such as those that herd sheep, are bred for intelligence and decision-making, working dogs like those who run all day need to exercise their bodies. The two most common activities that a bored pet engages in are digging and chewing, both of which require mental stimulation. There are several ways to keep a dog's brain active, including obedience training, interactive dog toys like tug of war, and dog sports like agility and search and rescue.
Energy Level
Energy-draining dogs are always on the lookout for a new activity. There are several jobs that require a lot of stamina from dogs, such as herding livestock or recovering prey for hunters. Children are more likely to engage in activities such as jumping, playing and exploring new sights and smells as a result of this change in their environment
A low-energy dog is more like a couch potato than a dog that needs a lot of exercise. Think about your level of physical activity and whether or not you find a hyperactive dog irritating before making your final choice.
Easy To Train
Easy to train dogs can more easily form associations between a cue (like "sit"), an action (like sitting), and a reward than dogs that are more difficult to train. Dogs that require more time, patience, and repetition are more difficult to train.
Getting your dog interested in training will require incentives and games because many breeds are intelligent but have a "What's in it for me?" mentality when it comes to learning new things.
Family Affection Level
Affectionate With Family
Since puppyhood, some breeds remain aloof and independent; others form deep bonds with one individual but are uninterested in the rest of the family; still other types shower their entire family with affection. Canines raised in homes with people tend to be more open to human interaction and develop stronger ties, regardless of their breed or upbringing.
Kid-Friendly
Kids-friendly dogs are calm, strong enough to bear the hefty hugs and pets kids can dish out, and have an unfazed attitude about rushing, scream-inducing children. There are several names you may not expect to see on the list: Fierce-looking Both Boxers and American Staffordshire Terriers are regarded as family dogs (which are considered Pit Bulls). Chihuahuas, which are small, sensitive, and potentially sharp, are not always family-friendly.
Dog Friendly
Dog friendship and human friendship are two entirely different things. The fact that a dog is friendly with humans doesn't mean it's immune to aggression or aggression from other dogs; some canines choose to play rather than fight; others will just run away. The type of animal isn't the only consideration. Dogs who have spent a lot of time playing with their littermates and their mother at the age of six to eight weeks are more likely to be socially competent.
Physical Appearance
Amount of Shedding
Having a dog in the house means that you'll have to deal with some level of dog hair on your clothing and in the home. It's worth noting, however, that shedding varies widely among breeds. Some dogs shed all year long, while others ``blow" just during specific times of the year, and still others don't shed at all. If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you'll need to choose a breed that sheds less or lower your expectations. You can use a deshedding tool to keep your house a little cleaner.
Drooling Potential
While greeting you, some dogs may cover their arms with ropes of drool and create large, wet patches on your clothing. If you don't mind a little drool, go for it; but if you're a stickler for cleanliness, you may want to look for a dog with a low drool rating.
Easy To Groom
Some breeds of dogs can simply be brushed and left alone, while others require frequent washing, trimming, and other grooming in order to maintain their health and appearance. If you don't have the time or money to take care of a dog that requires a lot of grooming, you may want to look into hiring a professional.
Exercise Needs
Evening walks around the neighborhood are perfectly acceptable for some breeds. Others, particularly those trained for physically demanding vocations like herding or hunting, require regular, rigorous exercise.
They can gain weight and release their pent-up energy in ways you don't like, including barking, chewing, and digging, if not given enough exercise. Those looking to train their dog for an energetic canine activity, such as agility, should consider getting a dog that needs a lot of exercise.
Average sizes and life expectancy of the breed
Height:
25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight:
55 to 75 pounds
Life Span:
10 to 13 years
History
Since the late 1700s, when it became common practise, English Foxhounds have had their pedigrees meticulously recorded. There is still some mystery surrounding the breed's beginnings. In the year 1750, a few men had the idea to use fast horses and hounds to go on fox hunts. The dogs would need to be able to follow a vanishing smell for hours, even while on the go.
Masters of Foxhounds oversaw the care and breeding of foxhound packs, which became popular once the sport caught on as a sport for the affluent. Aesthetic considerations in hunting led to the breeding of dogs that looked good both individually and as a unit. Therefore, it's not uncommon for a pack to have members with similar coat colors, such as the common black saddle over a tan body and white tips.
In the late 1800s, there were more than 140 recognised packs in England, each consisting of roughly 50 hounds due to the sport's rising popularity. The first foxhounds arrived in the Americas in the 1700s, but through time, a sizable number of these dogs were bred with others to create the modern American Foxhound.
Personality and Temperament
The English foxhound is known for its affability toward humans and its tolerance of youngsters. However, the companionship of other dogs, especially when engaged in physical activity, is what this breed truly craves. A dog as athletic and high-spirited as this one thrives in the country, where there is lots of space to run and play. Unfortunately, the English foxhound is not an apartment dog.
Incredibly, this dog can keep trotting over the countryside for hours on end without tiring. The English foxhound may go lost due to his insatiable need to hunt and locate the origin of an intriguing scent. Typically, working-breed English foxhounds don't make acceptable house pets since they're too energetic and focused on hunting to relax and nap on the couch. As long as they get plenty of activity, show dogs are seen as ideal household companions.
The English Foxhound is a dignified addition to any family and enjoys the company of other dogs and humans. They get along fine with horses, dogs, kids, and other pets. However, they require frequent exercise in a secure environment because they are enthusiastic sniffers and trailers. Despite their lack of display, dogs of this breed are kind, patient, and friendly. Most people tend to be shy around new people. Perhaps they aren't cut out for the fast pace of city life. The gulls squawk.
Care
This energetic breed requires a great deal of daily exercise. Thankfully, only minimal maintenance in terms of grooming is required. It also responds nicely to training in most cases.
Health
Most English Foxhounds will never develop any of the diseases or disorders that are occasionally seen in this breed. Some health issues are more prevalent in the breed than in the canine community as a whole, but this is true of all pedigrees.
Deafness
Occasionally, Foxhound puppies are born with a congenital hearing loss, and owners will notice their dogs are less sensitive at about six weeks of age. Foxhounds as pets can learn to adjust to their deafness and lead fulfilling lives if given the chance; this is not the case for working pack dogs.
Epilepsy
In most cases, the root cause of this disorder cannot be pinpointed; it is characterized by altered states of consciousness and spasms of involuntary muscle activity. While the grand mal presentation characterized by dramatic flailing limbs, loss of bladder control, and loss of consciousness is the one most commonly associated with epilepsy, the petit mal type is actually much more common.
This lesser form of the disease can manifest as a variety of symptoms, including lameness, facial tics, excessive salivation, or an obsessive need to capture flies. Dogs with more than one grand mal event per month typically begin taking anticonvulsant drugs due to the severity and frequency of these seizures.
Familial Renal Amyloidosis
Extremely rarely, this has been reported in English Foxhounds and other breeds closely related to them. When inflammatory proteins accumulate in the kidney's matrix, a condition known as amyloidosis results. This condition causes the surrounding tissues to get compressed and eventually die.
Foxhounds with this kind of amyloidosis always seem to decline quite quickly, with most dying within a week of the commencement of clinical indications, despite the fact that this ailment typically worsens very slowly.
Hound Ataxia
Although it has been documented in working dogs, it is quite unlikely that a domestic Foxhound would experience this. In dogs between the ages of two and seven, a major loss of muscle coordination has been seen, which has been linked to a diet high in offal. Beagles, which are used for work, have also been described as having this trait.
Microphthalmia
Abnormally tiny and nonfunctional eyes are a common birth defect in English Foxhounds. This is a glaring flaw that will be immediately noticeable to breeders and potential buyers. It's possible for one or both eyes to be impacted.
Spinal Osteochondrosis
Back pain and a limping gait are symptoms of this degenerative disorder of the spinal cord. From middle age onward, X-rays may reveal the telltale sign of new bone development in the lower back. While there is currently no treatment for this ailment, affected dogs will typically require long-term therapy with pain medications and exercise restrictions.
Thrombocytopathy
A condition in which the microscopic white blood cells called platelets have a diminished capacity to seal breaches in the walls of blood vessels. As a result, there is an increased propensity to bleed after even slight trauma, which may manifest as lameness after strenuous exercise due to bleeding inside the joints or muscles.
Recommended Health Test
- Hearing
- Blood Test
- X-Rays
- Physical Examination
Nutrition
Make sure your dog has access to clean water at all times. And be sure to provide high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food. Common practise calls for two daily measured meals. In contrast, this breed is susceptible to bloat and possibly fatal stomach twisting, both of which can result from eating too quickly, so you may want to serve smaller, more frequent meals. Additionally, try to maintain a tranquil environment when feeding your dog. Make an appointment with your vet to discuss the best diet and feeding schedule for your dog.
Grooming
Every week, give your dog a good brushing to remove dead hair and to help the dog's natural oils spread throughout his skin. Some seasons, like spring and fall when the weather is changing, will have more shedding than others, and you'll need to brush more often to keep up with the loose fur.
Depending on how dirty your foxhound gets, you may want to give it a bath once a month. Also, check the animal's ears at least once a week to see if they need to be cleaned. Whenever the ears get wet, be sure to dry them thoroughly. The nails of your dog should be trimmed once a month on average. You should use a canine toothpaste and make it a daily habit to brush your dog's teeth.
Exercise
An English foxhound needs at least two hours of daily activity. To run and sniff about in the great outdoors is a must for this dog. However, it must be kept on a leash or within a safe enclosure at all times lest it dash off after what it mistakes for prey. Foxhounds need plenty of opportunities to burn off some of their boundless energy, so take them on long walks, hikes, runs, or rides. Dog agility and tracking are two examples of dog activities that offer both physical and mental benefits.
Training
If you want to establish excellent manners and prevent negative behaviors in your dog, training and socializing should ideally begin when your dog is a puppy. Socialization and basic instructions are two of the many things that can be learned in a puppy obedience programme.
Most English foxhounds learn best when rewarded for good behavior with goodies and compliments. But they may be quite obstinate at times. As a result, be firm and consistent with your instructions, and never condone undesirable conduct.
Children and other Pets
The English Foxhound gets along wonderfully with older kids who can keep up with his boundless energy. Because of his boisterous nature, he is not suitable for households with young children who may be injured by his wagging tail or overly zealous actions. No dog, including the gentle English Foxhound, should ever be left alone with a child.
Pack animals at heart, English Foxhounds enjoy spending time with other dogs, especially fellow foxhounds, and are very confident when around horses. They get along well with most pets, but their natural prey drive may cause them to chase smaller animals. Keep an eye out for any signs of aggression when introducing a new cat, small dog, or other animal into the household.
Puppies
Remember everything we said above and start teaching and socializing your new puppy as soon as possible. This will aid in teaching them to follow instructions and comply with expectations.
Puppies should have access to a confined area that is devoid of any potential dangers. If you're getting a new English Foxhound puppy, take the time to secure the home and remove any potential hazards, as well as any valuables you wouldn't want chewed up. Before introducing your new puppy into your home, you should go out and get a crate, food, toys, a dog bed, and other essentials.
Breeds Similar to English Foxhound
The American Foxhound, the Beagle, and the Harrier are all canine relatives of the English Foxhound.
Foxhound, American:
Both of these canine varieties are hunters, average 70 pounds, and stand about 23 inches at the shoulder. In addition, both types of dogs need lengthy daily walks. When compared to their American counterparts, English Foxhounds are sometimes more sociable and open to meeting new people.
Beagle:
Beagles, like hounds, are a type of hunting dog. Both types have thick coats that are simple to maintain. Each breed shares the other's amiability. Although, Beagles are somewhat smaller in stature. On average, a Beagle weighs 23.5 pounds, while an English Foxhound tips the scales at 67.5 pounds.
Harrier:
Similar-looking hunting dogs include the Harrier. Both dog types are friendly, good with kids, and hungry for the chase. A typical English Foxhound weighs 67.5 pounds, while a harrier only averages 50.