English Foxhound
A pack hound with one of the oldest stud books in existence, kept by hunts rather than by households. It was bred to run for hours behind horses.
Photo by Mike Peel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Overview
The English Foxhound is a pack hound bred to run fox in front of mounted followers, and it has been kept in packs by hunts for three centuries with stud books older than any kennel club. It is heavier and slower than the American Foxhound, built for stamina over English country.
Almost all of them still live in kennels in packs rather than in houses, which is worth knowing before considering one as a pet.
Temperament
Tolerant, gentle and completely pack oriented. English Foxhounds are good natured with people and excellent with other dogs, and they are not guard dogs.
They do not adapt easily to solitary domestic life. A hound raised in a pack and rehomed alone often struggles, and they are vocal, they roam, and recall on a scent is effectively zero. They are also not house trained by default.
Care and grooming
A short hard coat, a weekly brush, moderate shedding. The ears need weekly cleaning.
The working gene pool has kept the breed sound. Hip dysplasia and epilepsy occur at low rates. Ten to thirteen years is normal.
Living and exercise
Two hours a day minimum, and preferably with another dog. This is a dog built to run for hours behind horses.
A very secure fence and a lead in open country. Realistically the breed suits a rural household with land and other dogs, and almost nothing else.
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