The English Foxhound is the archetype of the hound group. If you close your eyes and picture a “hunting dog” in an 18th-century oil painting, surrounded by men in red coats on horseback, you are picturing an English Foxhound.

He is a dog of stamina, structure, and pack mentality. Unlike many other breeds that have been adapted into house pets, the English Foxhound remains largely a working dog, bred to run for hours in a pack of distinction. He is stout, robust, and vocal. While he is friendly and gentle, he is not a typical suburban pet. He is a serious athlete who needs a job, a pack, and a lot of room to run.

History and Origin: The Sport of Kings

The English Foxhound was developed in England in the 17th and 18th centuries specifically for the sport of fox hunting. Before this time, hunters chased stag (deer) using large, slow staghounds. As the forests of England were cleared and deer became scarce, the red fox became the new quarry. Hunters needed a new kind of dog: one that had the nose to track a fox, the speed to keep up with galloping horses, and the stamina to do it all day long.

Meticulous Breeding

Masters of Foxhounds (MFH) kept studbooks (breeding records) with an obsession that rivaled that of racehorse breeders. They mixed the old Staghound with the Greyhound (for speed), the Bulldog (for tenacity), and the Fox Terrier (for prey drive). The result was a canine machine designed for the hunt. To this day, the English Foxhound Studbook is published annually by the Masters of Foxhounds Association in England, tracing lineages back hundreds of years.

Physical Characteristics: Built for Endurance

The English Foxhound is built for one thing: stamina. He is not built for a sprint; he is built for a marathon.

• Height: 23–27 inches (58-69 cm).
• Weight: 60–75 pounds (27-34 kg).

Comparison to the American Foxhound

The English Foxhound is stouter and more muscular (“more bone”) than his American cousin. The American Foxhound was bred for the rougher, hillier terrain of the New World and is lighter and faster. The English dog is built for the rolling English countryside.

Distinctive Features

• Legs: His front legs are straight as arrows and incredibly strong, with massive bone. This is essential for a dog that pounds the ground for miles.
• Feet: His feet are round and cat-like, with thick pads to withstand rough terrain.
• Coat: Short, dense, hard, and glossy. It is weather-resistant.
• Color: The classic “hound colors”—black, white, and tan (tricolor)—are most common, but “lemon and white” or “pied” are also seen.
• Ears: Set low and lying flat against the head. In England, they are sometimes “rounded” (trimmed) to prevent tearing in the briars.

Temperament and Personality

The English Foxhound is a pack animal in the truest sense of the word.

The Ultimate Extrovert

He loves other dogs. He was bred to live in a kennel with 50 other hounds and work as a team. He is rarely aggressive toward other dogs. In fact, he is happiest when he is touching another dog. A single Foxhound alone in a backyard is a miserable, lonely creature.

The Gentle Soul

With people, he is gentle, affectionate, and tolerant. He is not a guard dog. He might bay at a stranger, but he is more likely to lick them than bite them.

The Independent Nose

He is a scent hound. When his nose is on a trail, his ears turn off. He is independent and stubborn. He was bred to follow the scent, not to look at his handler for instructions. This makes him challenging to train for obedience.

Training and Exercise Needs

Exercise: Miles, Not Minutes

He is an endurance athlete.

• Daily Needs: A walk around the block is an insult to this breed. He needs to run. Miles of running. He makes an excellent jogging or biking companion.
• Fencing: You need a secure fence. If he catches a scent, he will follow it for counties. He has no road sense and will run into traffic if on a scent.

The Voice

The English Foxhound does not bark; he bays. It is a deep, booming, melodious sound that carries for miles. It is music to a hunter’s ears, but it is a noise complaint waiting to happen in a subdivision.

Training: Patience Required

• Recall: Training a reliable recall is nearly impossible. Do not trust him off-leash in an open area.
• Motivation: He is food-motivated, but his desire to sniff is stronger. Training takes patience, humor, and high-value treats.

Health and Lifespan

Because he has been bred for function rather than fashion, the English Foxhound is an incredibly healthy breed. He typically lives 10 to 13 years.

• Hip Dysplasia: Can occur, but is less common than in many large breeds.
• Ear Infections: The hanging ears trap moisture.
• Bloat: Like all deep-chested dogs, gastric torsion is a risk.
• Renal Disease: Some kidney issues have been noted in the breed.

Grooming and Care

This is a “wash and wear” dog.

• Brushing: A quick brushing with a hound glove once a week removes dead hair and distributes oils.
• Bathing: Only when he rolls in something (which, being a hound, he will do).
• Nails: Keep them short.

Is an English Foxhound Right for You?

The English Foxhound is a wonderful dog, but he is a rare pet for a reason.

Yes, if:

• You live on a farm or have acreage. He needs space.
• You have other dogs. He needs a pack to feel secure.
• You are a runner. You want a partner who will never tire.
• You don’t mind noise. You appreciate the music of the hounds.

No, if:

• You live in an apartment. It is unfair to the dog.
• You want a solo pet. He will be lonely and destructive.
• You want an off-leash dog. He will run away.
• You have nearby neighbors. The baying will drive them crazy.

For the right rural home with other dogs, the English Foxhound is a noble, gentle, and tirelessly loyal companion. He brings the history of the English countryside into your life, along with a lot of noise and a lot of love.