Breed Characteristics:
Apartment Friendly
?How well will this breed adapt to apartment living? Is the apartment size the most important factor when it comes to proper living conditions? Is the breed suitable for apartment living?
Good For First-Time Owners
?Some dogs aren't suitable for first-time dog owners. Is this breed a good match for someone with no dog experience? Can training help them be on their best behavior with owners with no dog experience? Are they suitable to be handled by someone who is just entering the canine world?
Overall Sensitivity
?Some dogs are sensitive. Certain breeds are rough on the outside, while having the softest heart on the inside. In other words, some dogs are 'thick-skinned' while some are 'easygoing.' Is this breed prone to sensitivity?
Tolerates Being Alone
?Separation anxiety in dogs is a serious condition that can affect a dog's life quality. Is this breed prone to this condition? Can you leave him alone for hours? How destructive this breed can become when bored, neglected, or not loved enough?
Affectionate With Family
?How affectionate this breed will be around his humans? Will he welcome new family friends easily or he will choose to be shy? Some breeds can be clingy with owners, while others don't attach a lot. Will this breed act as the family's best friend?
Kid-Friendly
?Some dogs will tolerate children, while others will adore well-behaved ones. Dogs and children should always be supervised, no matter how well trained the dog might be. Will this breed act as a nanny dog or he will stay away from children?
Friendly Toward Other Dogs
?Some dog breeds cannot wait to run to the dog park and run with others. Others prefer to be with their humans, and not to be a part of a multi-pet household. Is this breed dog lover or not? How friendly this breed will be toward other dogs?
Friendly Toward Strangers
?Some dog breeds tend to be reserved toward strangers and highly suspicious. Others are fast to walk away with them easily. How welcoming this breed is toward strangers?
Drooling Level
?If you love to clean all the time drooling level in dogs is a trait that you should mind. Is this breed less likely to drool, or you will always need a towel on hand?
Easy To Groom
?Heavier shedding during the shedding season is something that every dog needs to go through. However, some dogs shed just a bit all year round. Is this breed one of them? How often should you groom this dog?
Overall Health
?What can you expect from this breed in terms of health? Are there any genetic conditions to vary about? Is obesity a major issue in this breed? By knowing more about the dog's health, you are learning how to help him live a longer and healthier life.
Prone To Obesity
?Treats are a great addition to training sessions. Dogs love sweet bites of dog treats but they should be served in moderation. Treats can lead to obesity, next to poor nutrition. Can this breed gain extra weight from treats? How prone to obesity this breed actually is?
Trainability Level
?Training some dogs is easier than others. How easy this dog will be to train? What can you expect? Some dogs are huge people pleasers and they will master commands easily, while others will try to outsmart you.
Intelligence Level
?Dogs are smart beings. We do our best to train them, but they do still end up training us to adapt to their needs. How intelligent is this breed? Will he try to outsmart you? Or he will need multiple training sessions to master basic commands?
Prey Drive
?Dogs were bred for a specific purpose. Those who were bred to hunt have natural instincts to hunt, even today. This is why many dogs, like Terriers, will chase other animals. They will also have a hard time concentrating on your commands when there is something small moving. Is this breed prone to following his prey instincts?
Barking Level
?How vocal this breed is? Can you expect neighbors to ring you often to calm your dog? Or you can sleep without worries of hearing your Fido bark? Some breeds are highly vocal, others have unusual sounds, and some are silent. Is this breed prone to barking?
Energy Level
?Low-energy dogs are happy with regular walks and indoor chill times. High-energy dogs are always ready for action. Is this breed a couch potato, energetic dog, or somewhere in between?
Exercise Needs
?Some dogs are more than happy with a slow stroll down the street. Others need hours of active time to stay happy and fit. Is this breed demanding in terms of exercise? How much exercise this breed needs to stay happy and healthy?
Playfulness Level
?Some dogs never lose that puppy spirit, not even in their senior years. Others are more serious and prefer having a job to do. Is this breed demanding in terms of playfulness? Can you expect playfulness in their senior years as well?
The English Foxhound is a sociable and affectionate hound of great stamina.
This is a galloping hound standing up to 24 inches and weighing up to 75 pounds.
These pack-oriented animals are not so present as house pets, as they are more often seen in the fields working or hunting next to their humans.
Still, this doesn’t mean that this breed isn’t for a warm bed and soft pillow. No, it only means that you will have to invest significant time into training and socialization to create a well-behaved dog.
This scent-driven hound is gentle and soft. As true hounds, these dogs can be motivated to chase anything, thanks to their primal instinct for pursuit.
This is why recall training is so important, and why you should walk your English Foxhound on a leash no matter what.
As hunting dogs, you can expect high energy levels and plenty of exercise during the day. Otherwise, you can expect a dog consumed with boredom who will show destructive behavior.
They may be vocal, which might be difficult on your neighbor’s ears. The English Foxhound is one of the healthiest breeds alive.
There are only a few health disturbances reported in this breed, including hip dysplasia, epilepsy, and renal disease.
As long as you provide the right environment, high-quality food, and proper care, you will enjoy the English Foxhound company for up to 13 years.
Quick Facts
Real name: English Foxhound
Other names: Foxhound
Origin: England
Breed type: Hound Dogs
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Height: 25 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
Litter Size: 5 – 7 puppies
Color: Hound color
Coat: Short coat
English Foxhound History
Just as the name of the breed suggested, this alert dog was developed in England with a specific goal – to pursue the red fox.
The English Foxhound is an old breed, with documents testifying on its existence since the 18th century.
For a long period of more than 200 years, just on the ground of Great Britain, there have been more than 250 packs of English Foxhounds.
Interestingly, this breed has been in the States for at least as it has existed. The very first pack arrived in 1738, and those dogs lead to the development of the American Foxhound.
When compared, American and English Foxhounds are very similar, but it’s easy to separate them.
English Foxhound tends to be stronger opposite to American Foxhound.
As expected, the American Foxhound is more registered than the English cousin, when it comes to American Kennel Club.
This doesn’t mean that they aren’t fit to be great pets, it just means that the world has yet to discover about their amazing traits.
English Foxhound Physical Appearance
The English Foxhound is considered to be a large dog.
Males usually stand 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and usually have 55 to 75 pounds.
As with other dog breeds, males are slightly larger than females. The English Foxhound is a well-built dog of powerful posture.
Overall appearance is that this dog is alert and always ready to jump into some sort of action. The head is of full size, and never heavy.
Their ears are set on low and set close to the cheeks. The neck is long and clean, while the shoulders are lean and long.
Legs and feet are strong enabling them to be active and spend hours being active.
Their coat is always in some form of ‘hound color’ while being short, dense, glossy, and hard.
Commonly seen colors in this breed are tan, black, white, or any combination of these three.
English Foxhound Personality
English Foxhounds are kind of independent dogs. They may even be stubborn when things do go their way.
This is why an experienced dog owner is always recommended for this breed. Active breeds have a mind of their own, and love intense exercise time.
As such, they are never recommended for first time dog owners. Independent breeds do best with owners that use positive reinforcement methods to keep them engaged and well-trained.
The English Foxhound is a pack hound, which means that they get along with other dogs, and love being part of the pack.
The English Foxhound would be a great addition to a family of any size. They love being surrounded by people and will do fine with children.
It’s important to keep children and dogs supervised all the time. No matter how well-behaved a dog might be, accidents do happen when playtime is intense.
Children should know not to disturb dogs while eating, drinking, sleeping, resting, or just chewing on their toys.
Children tend to be goofy around dogs, especially toddlers. Their language of expression is by using their hands, which is why dogs often end up being pulled for their tails, ears, and skin.
These sudden moves are what make dogs stressed and get an urge to defend themselves. As result, accidents happen.
The main goal between children and dogs should be safe interaction.
All in all, the English Foxhound will be great with older children who can match their energetic nature.
Although this breed will do fine with younger children, they are recommended for homes with older children. Their tails are powerful and swishing, making it easy for them to knock anything over.
As for the other pets, they will enjoy the company of other dogs, especially other English Foxhounds.
They are also extremely comfortable around horses. In general, the English Foxhound will do fine with other animals, but as they have a strong prey drive, they may chase smaller pets.
Make sure that you supervise any interaction with smaller dogs, cats, or others animals, especially if you have smaller in-house pets.
Slow introduction and familiar surroundings are what will make an introduction between any animals successful.
English Foxhound Training
Early training is what creates a well-behaved dog.
English Foxhounds are smart dogs who are easy to train, as long as you have training experience.
Training starts the first day, as soon as you bring your English Foxhound home.
Dogs are capable of learning basic commands as of eight weeks of age.
Before the vaccination period is done, your puppy should know basic commands, such as ‘no’, ‘come’, and ‘sit’.
If you feel like you need support during the training process, think about attending puppy classes, or hiring a professional dog training for one-on-one training sessions.
The English Foxhound will respond well to firm leadership and positive training methods. They will never, just like other dogs, respond well to harsh training methods.
Never use any harsh training methods to train your dog. Do your best to deliver training sessions that are fun, short, and consistent. Having a package of treats on hand won’t hurt.
Dogs love awards and being praised for their actions. Use treats to enhance positive behavior.
English Foxhounds will be described as quick learners, but training him will require patience. Know that great dogs aren’t created overnight and that your dog needs to trust you to follow you.
Do your best to show that you are a true leader who understands the dog’s needs, and is willing to invest time into creating a fun and consistent training process.
If your Foxhound is an older dog, you may need to invest extra effort if you have adopted or your Foxhound has any form of fear or stress. Foxhounds love people, so use that for creating successful training.
English Foxhound Exercise
The English Foxhound is a breed that thrives on routine. This breed needs a lot of outdoor time, next to regular walks.
As such, the English Foxhound is a great choice for families who lead an active outdoor life. They are not recommended for city life or life in too-small spaces.
English Foxhounds do better in rural areas, or in large living spaces, where a large backyard is accessible all day long.
Indoors, this breed will be relaxed and calm, as long as there are people inside as well. Outdoors, they will love long walks, frequent visits to the dog park, or good hiking or running.
English Foxhounds were bred to be active and run for miles, which makes them great running companions.
Daily long walks will keep him fit, engaged, and away from destructive behavior. This is a scent hound, meaning that they may want to run off and explore the world around them.
Walks on leash are highly recommended because you won’t be able to catch him. Any interesting scent will spark his interest.
To prevent any type of unplanned chases, keep him on a leash, even in a safely enclosed area.
On the other hand, if you have extra time, and love training dogs, you should think about participating in dog sports, such as agility, obedience, or tracking.
English Foxhound Grooming
Foxhounds have short coats that are easy to maintain. A weekly brushing should be enough to keep his coat clean and healthy.
Make sure that you have the proper grooming tools on hand. If brushing your English Foxhound is too much work for you, think about a professional dog groomer.
This may take more money out of your wallet, but it will save you time. Plus, your English Foxhound will always look at his finest.
Check the ears and eyes on the weekly level. Learn how to clean a dog’s ears and know when is the time to clean them.
Learn what are white gums in dogs and when you should ask for veterinarian help.
Trim or grind nails regularly, once to twice a month, as needed. You can do this at home, or a professional dog groomer, or a veterinarian.
If your veterinarian recommends it, practice tooth brushing. During brushing, sessions check the dog’s skin for any sign of skin infection, fleas, and any form of inflammation.
Grooming can also be a bonding experience between you and your dog. Dogs are highly dependent on body language and they will see brighten as a petting session.
If you see your dog roll on his back while you’re brushing him, know that he is enjoying it a lot.
English Foxhound Health
English Foxhounds are considered to be healthy dogs. If you are working with responsible breeders, you are be assured that you are getting a healthy puppy.
Responsible breeders will always present you medical documentation on the dog, let you meet the parents or at least the bitch, show you the facilities, and ask you a lot of questions, so they can be sure that you are a good fit.
Getting a dog from a breeder should be a two-way street. They need to see how responsible you are, how capable you are of getting and keeping a dog, and how serious you are when it comes to a dog’s health.
Some of the health issues that you can expect to see in this breed, during his lifetime are:
- Deafness
- Leukodystrophy
- Blood Disorder
- Thyroid Problems
- Infections
- Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
- Amyloidosis
If you notice any unusual occurrence in your dog contact your veterinarian.
Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease, which is why you shouldn’t ignore it. In some cases, any symptom can be a sign of a minor or temporary problem.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, monitor your dog carefully and contact your veterinarian:
- Excessive scratching
- Strong ear discharge
- Inability to urinate
- Dull coat
- Hair loss
- Weight gain
- Weight loss
- No reaction to sounds
- Leg stiffness
If your English Foxhound starts showing no reaction to sounds and he stays home alone a lot, make sure that you contact your veterinarian to see if your dog is maybe experiencing separation anxiety.
English Foxhound Nutrition
Know how much is ok to feed your dog. Feeding your dog is more than just pouring some food into the dog’s bowl.
Proper feeding is about great nutrition. Just like humans, dogs thrive on proper food, great feeding habits, and chemical-free food.
Make sure that you feed your English Foxhound with food that is appropriate to his age, size, and activity level.
If your dog has any specific health conditions, and the veterinarian recommends a specific diet, make sure that you stick to it.
Learn which human foods are safe for dogs, and which should be avoided no matter what.
Some table scraps are ok from time to time, but human foods shouldn’t be part of a dog’s diet in general.
Once you bring your English Foxhound home, you are directly responsible for his health.
More precisely, you are directly responsible for his weight. Extra-large food portions, a large number of treats, and not enough exercise and activity will lead to weight gain in any dog.
If you have any concerns about your dog’s diet talk to your veterinarian. Always provide clean and fresh water.
To keep your dog in the best shape possible, stick to regular veterinarian check-ups.
Is English Foxhound For You?
Before you welcome English Foxhound into your home, you need to be 100% sure that you have enough time for a dog, and that you love spending time outdoors.
This breed will demand long active hours outdoors, or he will show you how it looks to own a dog with destructive behavior.
If you have experience as a dog owner already, and you know how to train a dog, and you are an active person on top of that, then this breed might be for you.
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