It’s difficult to deny to deny the fact that the English Foxhound is a handsome looking dog. One that you can just imagine running through the country side or standing chest deep in water chasing down anything and everything that he can get a whiff of, but does that mean that he’s going to be the right dog for you?
But what if…
You don’t live in the country? What if all you can offer an English Foxhound puppy is a spacious two-bedroom apartment with a daily visit to the local dog park? Will this still be a good dog breed for you?
Questions like these…
Are why we wanted to take a moment and discuss what it might be like to own an English Foxhound so that if you ever do get a chance to purchase or adopt one, you won’t be setting yourself up for failure if you and your dog’s lifestyle don’t match!
So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
English Foxhound Dog Breed Fast Facts
Country of Origin: Great Britain
Original Purpose: Trailing Fox
Height: 23 to 27 inches tall
Weight: 55 to 75 pounds
Dog Breed Classification: Hound Group
Lifespan: 10 to 13 years
English Foxhound Dog Breed Origin
The English Foxhound is a dog breed that dates back out the mid 1700’s when wealthy Englishman found it “sporting” to hunt foxes by horseback.
Now in order to…
Find and track the foxes, hunters would utilize dogs to seek out the “scent” of a fox and lead the hunting party to on the chase. Which is not an easy task!
This is why…
These dogs were created because not only do they have a great sense of smell, they also have incredible stamina which allows them to run nearly nonstop for hours!
Not to mention the fact…
That they look great doing it as well! This is why over time, the English Foxhound slowly began to replace other dogs with similar abilities simply because “esthetically” these dogs with their very uniform coat patterns look much better running as a “mob” together than do many of their “mixed” patterned competition.
It is believed…
That these dogs are actually a mix of three different dog breeds including:
- Staghounds,
- Bloodhounds,
- And Greyhounds,
Making these guys somewhat of a “hybrid” between “sighthounds” and “scent hounds”
These guys were also…
Some of the earliest American colonists as well, making their “cross Atlantic” voyage during the late 17th century. Which is probably why the were one of the earliest dog breed to be “officially” recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909.
Notable English Foxhound owners…
Include George Washington which if you ask us here at IndulgeYourPet…. Ain’t too shabby!
English Foxhound Physical Characteristics
Probably the best way one can describe an English Foxhound is to simply call him “handsome”. And this isn’t a word we used to describe a lot of dogs, but let’s face it, these guys just have a really “clean” look about them that makes them look like their “dressed” just right for any occasion!
As a medium sized dog…
The English Foxhound stands about 25 inches tall and typically weighs around 55 to 75 pounds. And while they can come in a variety of color combinations, most will typically have the “classic” tan body with white color points highlighted by black saddle pattern over the middle of their back.
Their fur will…
Also be surprisingly waterproof, while at the same time very soft, shiny and dense. Their coats are also notoriously easy to manage and maintain which is nice to know as you watch them get themselves into all sorts of messes while running amuck!
Another feature that…
Will often make identifying an English Foxhound easier to identify is their straight muscular legs, strong back and deep chest which makes them look as if their “leaning forward” even at a complete standstill.
English Foxhound Temperament
It’s pretty safe to say that if these dogs weren’t a team player, they wouldn’t have become the dog of choice for Great Britain wealth elite. Because despite the fact that these guys have incredible tracking ability and unlimited stamina, there are probably 4 or 5 other dog breeds that could make very similar claims all of which were readily available to 17th century sportsman.
So…
You can be that if you do decide to purchase or adopt an English Foxhound, her or she is going to be a faithful companion that can not only get along with you and your children, but also any pets you may have in the household as well.
The problem is…
These guys need are SUPER smart and require a ton of energy. And when they don’t get enough, they can tend to be rather destructive. That combined with their stubborn streak can make these guys a “bit” challenging for the first-time dog owner.
This is probably why…
Despite the fact that they have a lot going for them, the English Foxhound has never really been all that popular in America as a household pet but remains a perennial favorite for those who still participate in organized hunts.
Health Concerns of the English Foxhound Dog Breed
Now anytime you decide to purchase a purebred dog, you always need to be prepared for the fact that they’ll often be experience a higher risk for developing certain hereditary disease that “non-purebred” dogs might.
The good news…
Is that when it comes to the English Foxhound, that really isn’t the case. In fact, the English Foxhound is actually quite a health breed. And while some by develop hip dysplasia as the age, the risk developing this condition is actually quite small!
This is why…
Probably the greatest risk to your English Foxhound’s health is the possibility of suffering form an injury and why we here at IndulgeYourPet always recommend any English Foxhound owner take a moment and consider purchasing a pet insurance policy on their new puppy.
For more information on who we “feel” currently offers the “best” pet insurance policies in the industry right now, we would encourage you to check out our Top 10 Best Pet Insurance Companies article.
I have an American Foxhound who fits this description Perfectly! All I can say is that though this breed may be a lot to handle at first, they settle in well and you will learn to love them to death!