Dog
Group:
Hound 
English Foxhound Champions
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Breed Description:
The English Foxhound breed of dog is an energetic, athletic fellow who excels at trailing foxes by virtue of his drive, enthusiasm and exceptional voice. His short, dense and glossy coat comes in any recognized "hound color" and markings, including black, tan, white and any combination, as well as "pies." He differs from his American cousin in being both shorter and somewhat stouter. His head is proportionate, by no means heavy. His brow is pronounced and his nose is long and wide, with the open nostrils typical of such a scent-driven breed. The ears of the English Foxhound breed of dog are set on low and lie close to the cheeks. Most English hounds' ears are "rounded," meaning about 1½ inches is taken off the end of the ear. The teeth should meet squarely. The neck of the English Foxhound is long and clean, at least 10 inches from cranium to shoulder. Its upper outline should be slightly convex. His shoulders should be long and muscular without being heavy. The chest should measure more than 31 inches around in a 24-inch hound, and the back ribs must be very deep. Both his back and his loin should be very muscular, and the topline of the back should be absolutely level. His tail should be carried gaily, and the end should taper to a point with a fringe of hair below. The hindquarters and propelling (rear) legs should be very strong; endurance matters even more than speed with the English Foxhound breed of dog. Legs are to be "as straight as a post, and as strong." The size of the bone at the ankle is "all important." The bone cannot be too large. The English Foxhound's feet should be round and catlike, with well-developed knuckles. Strong nails are of "the greatest importance." By contrast, the color and coat of the English Foxhound breed of dog are not regarded as particularly important, so long as the color is a good "hound color" and the coat is short, dense, hard, and glossy. Hound colors are black, tan, and white, or any combination of these three. "Pies" are also accepted; pies are white and the color of the hare and badger, or yellow or tan.
Temperament:
The English Foxhound breed of dog, like many hounds, tends to be independent and at times stubborn. He is pack oriented and scent driven, which can take primacy over listening to his owner. As a pack animal, he generally gets on well with other pets, and he is gentle and affectionate.
Height:
23 to 25 inches
Weight:
65 to 70 pounds
Health Problems:
Health problems associated with the English Foxhound breed of dog include dysplasia, kidney disease and epilepsy.
Living Conditions:
The English Foxhound breed of dog varies in its amenability to apartment living (or indoor living of any sort, for that matter). Show lines are generally better suited to indoor living than are hunting lines.
Exercise:
The English Foxhound breed of dog epitomizes his purpose as a hunter, and those that are born into hunting packs need the exercise that hunting provides. Those dogs that are raised for show or for companionship need significant amounts of exercise, as well, however. Long outdoor walks will fill the bill.
Life Expectancy:
9 to 11 years
Grooming:
The English Foxhound breed of dog has minimal grooming requirements. He is easy to keep clean with an occasional brushing.
Origin:
The English Foxhound breed of dog originated in England in the 13th century. He was developed specifically for trailing the red fox, an animal far too fast for the Bloodhound to trail. Thus, Bloodhounds were crossed with Greyhounds and other fast and light hounds. The English Foxhound was standardized by the early 19th century. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
