If you’re considering getting an English Foxhound, it’s essential to understand the breed’s character and living needs. English Foxhounds are elegant, intelligent, and sociable dogs that are bred for hunting and have distinct physical characteristics and temperaments.
They were originally bred in England and have become one of the most popular breeds worldwide because of their friendly nature and loyalty.
Breed Popularity and Characteristics
English Foxhounds are popular because of their endearing personality traits, which include friendliness, loyalty, and sociability. They are natural hunters, and their impressive skills make them ideal if you’re into hunting activities.
Due to their prey drive, they might not be the best pets for those with cats or other small animals as they could be viewed as potential prey. These traits make the English Foxhound perfect for individuals who love outdoor activities.
Training and
Temperament
In terms of personality, English Foxhounds are among the friendliest dog breeds out there. They are great with people, especially children, and will often socialize with other dogs and animals.
However, they require stern training and socialization from a young age, as they are natural hunters. Without appropriate socialization and training, their prey drive may incline them to chase wildlife or even cars, putting themselves and others in danger.
Training should be consistent, firm, and positive. Their owner should use positive reinforcement techniques to communicate with them effectively.
As a pet parent, you must be patient and consistent when training an English Foxhound. Communication is key, as they need to understand what is required of them.
Socialization with other dogs and animals, including cats, is crucial to prevent aggressive behavior.
Living Needs and Care
English Foxhounds require lots of outdoor exercise and time spent in open spaces where they can play and run. They thrive in homes with large backyards or open fields where they can explore and use their natural hunting instincts.
Daily exercise is also essential to prevent boredom, anxiety, and destructive behavior. Supervision is paramount when dealing with English Foxhounds.
They have an innate sense of curiosity and can easily wander off if unsupervised. Grooming is relatively simple.
They have a short, double-coated glossy coat and require occasional brushing to control shedding. Ear inspection is necessary since they have pendant ears that could get infected if not cleaned adequately.
Appearance
English Foxhounds are large, muscular, and deep-chested dogs that stand tall on long, straight legs. They have flat skulls with proportional ears and tapered tails.
The coat is short, glossy, and double-coated, with a variety of colors, including black, white, tan, and brown.
Coat and Grooming
Grooming an English Foxhound is relatively easy, as they have a short coat that doesn’t require much attention. They shed throughout the year, but more intensely during fall and spring.
Brushing their coat once or twice a week with a bristle brush is recommended to keep the fur shiny and remove loose hair. Ear inspection is necessary because their pendant ears can develop infections if not cleaned regularly.
Conclusion
In summary, English Foxhounds are an excellent breed for those interested in an elegant, sociable, and friendly dog that requires plenty of outdoor exercise. They are natural hunters, and a stern hand is necessary to control their prey drive when living with other small animals.
Socialization and positive reinforcement training from an early age are essential to prevent aggressive tendencies. English Foxhounds are easy to groom and shed moderately throughout the year, requiring weekly brushing and ear inspection.
Temperament
English Foxhounds are known for their athletic and intelligent character. They have an excellent sense of stamina and endurance, making them perfect for activities that require lots of energy and physical exertion.
They are social dogs and enjoy spending time around people, especially their pet parents. While they are natural hunters, they have a friendly personality and are therefore suitable for families with children.
Hunting Instincts and Personality Traits
Being hunting dogs, English Foxhounds have a high prey drive that is an essential part of their behavior. They are trained to sniff and follow scents of prey, which might cause them to chase after small animals.
Due to their athletic ability, they will run for long distances without getting tired. However, with proper training and socialization from an early age, they can learn to coexist with other animals and people.
English Foxhounds are affectionate and friendly dogs, making them great companions for pet parents seeking a loyal and social dog. They enjoy spending time around their families and thrive on human interaction.
They love to please their pet parents, making them obedient and easily trainable. Overall, their personality traits make them exceptional for outdoor activities and socialization with other animals.
Communication and Training
As highly social dogs, English Foxhounds are not the quietest breed of dogs. They are trained to communicate with each other through howling and barking, which might become a problem if not trained effectively.
Training an English Foxhound requires patience and a stern hand. They are independent and may become stubborn during training sessions, making it necessary to have a positive and enjoyable outcome.
Positive reinforcement is crucial when training an English Foxhound. Punishing them during training will lead to stubbornness and disobedience.
Instead, pet owners should focus on rewards that keep them motivated and make them happy. English Foxhounds are intelligent, and with proper training and a positive reinforcement approach, they will excel in obedience training.
Living Needs and Care
English Foxhounds require room to roam and lots of outdoor space to play, run, and explore. The breed’s active nature makes them ideal for pet parents seeking a high energy and robust dog.
Large fenced-in yards are the best option, allowing them the freedom to move around without causing harm or getting out. Around children, they need supervision since they can knock them over unintentionally while playing.
Proper exercise and mental enrichment are crucial for English Foxhounds’ overall health and well-being. A daily walk or run on a leash can satisfy their exercise requirement.
However, it is essential to provide them with additional physical and mental stimulation, such as playing fetch and puzzle toys. These activities will help to prevent boredom and anxiety, leading to undesirable behaviors.
Grooming and Health
Grooming an English Foxhound requires little effort, as they have a short and shiny coat that sheds moderately. Regular brushing is necessary to keep the coat in good condition and remove loose hair that could be ingested while grooming.
Ear inspection is necessary to detect and avoid potential ear infections. Like all breeds, English Foxhounds are prone to certain health conditions.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus, also known as bloat, is a severe condition that occurs when the stomach becomes distended and rotates, trapping air. This condition is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) is another common condition that affects their hip bone, leading to pain and lameness. Pet parents should provide English Foxhounds with a balanced diet to maintain their health.
Conclusion
English Foxhounds are a robust and energetic breed with a friendly nature and love for outdoor activities. They are easy to groom and require minimal care.
Training and socialization from a young age are necessary to prevent undesirable behaviors, such as chasing small animals. Exercise, supervision, and mental enrichment are essential for their overall health and well-being.
Pet parents should also ensure they receive veterinary attention and regular checkups to prevent or treat potential health conditions.
History and Fun Facts
The English Foxhound has a rich history intertwined with the British gentry and the sport of stag hunting. The breed became popular in the 1600s when receding forests presented a challenge to hunting stags on foot.
Instead, mounted huntsmen needed an athletic, endurance-filled dog that could track and chase prey while keeping up with horses.
Origins and Popularity of Foxhunting
Foxhunting began when farmers started to view the red fox as a nuisance to their livestock, and the sport grew with the rise of gentry hunting in the 16th and 17th centuries. English Foxhounds were bred for their endurance, strength and agility to chase after and catch the elusive prey.
The sport quickly spread across Europe and the United States, with the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizing the breed in 1909.
Characteristics and Traditions of Foxhunting
Foxhunting has its own traditions and practices, and it is conducted by a group of mounted hunters. The hunt typically begins with a cheer that signals the start of the event, followed by the blowing of a horn, which activates the hounds’ scenting instincts, and they set off to track the scent.
The hounds’ keen noses and excellent hearing skills make them capable of chasing prey over a distance of up to 50 miles. One of the essential aspects of foxhunting is that the hunt is not complete until the prey has been killed.
While some hunts use non-lethal methods, many prefer to keep the sport traditional. After chasing prey for hours, the English Foxhounds finally catch their prey, and it is necessary to pursue the traditional hunt.
However, in modern times, many hunts prefer to use traditional scenting methods without following through with the final act of killing. English Foxhounds are specifically bred for foxhunting, and hunters focus on their traits for stamina, endurance, agility, and the ability to scent effectively.
They also possess a howl-like bay that helps the hunters keep track of their location and activities. Due to their natural instincts for hunting, English Foxhounds require stern training and a regular exercise routine to reduce their energy levels.
English Foxhound vs American Foxhound
The English Foxhound and the American Foxhound share the same ancestry. The English Foxhound’s history goes back to the 18th century, whereas the American Foxhound was developed in the 17th century by George Washington, who crossed his French hounds with English Foxhounds.
The two breeds have slight differences in characteristics and appearance. The American Foxhound tends to be taller and slimmer than the English cousin, with a narrower head and shorter ears.
While both breeds share athleticism and stamina, the American Foxhound has been bred for hunting prey in open fields while relying on their sight, and therefore does not have as keen a nose as the English Foxhound. English Foxhounds, on the other hand, have been bred for hunting in more enclosed spaces, tracking prey by scent, and have a greater ability to howl while on the hunt.
Conclusion
The English Foxhound is an excellent breed of dog that has a unique history that is intertwined with foxhunting. With their friendly personality and athletic ability, they make great pets for active families.
Despite their hunting instincts, their friendly nature and loyalty make them perfect for human interaction, training, and socialization. Foxhunting remains a prestigious event filled with tradition and culture, and while not many people pursue this sport nowadays, it remains a vital part of the English Foxhound’s history.
In summary, the English Foxhound is an elegant and loyal dog that has been bred for centuries as hunting companions for stag and fox hunting. They have specific physical and character traits that make them unique breed highly suitable for those interested in an energetic, friendly, and affectionate dog.
Training, socialization, and exercise are essential for their overall health and well-being. Foxhunting is an integral part of their history and tradition, and while not as prominent today, it remains a significant part of their heritage and culture.
Overall, the English Foxhound is an exceptional dog breed perfect for those seeking a loyal, active, and friendly companion.