English Foxhound Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: England
The English Foxhound is a large, sturdy scent hound developed in England over several centuries specifically for foxhunting in packs. It is one of the rarest AKC-recognized breeds kept as a companion, known for its stamina, sociability, and powerful nose.
| Breed | English Foxhound |
| Size | Large (55–75 lbs) |
| Height | 23–25 inches |
| Lifespan | 10–13 years |
| Temperament | Sociable, Gentle, Active |
| Energy Level | Very High●●●●● |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Low Maintenance |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 English Foxhound Overview
The English Foxhound is a well-balanced, athletic dog built for long days of running across open countryside. It has a broad skull, deep chest, and muscular hindquarters that give it the endurance to follow a hunt for hours without tiring. Highly social by nature, it thrives in the company of other dogs and humans, but its pack instinct and powerful prey drive make it a challenging pet for the average household.
📜 History & Origin
English Foxhounds were selectively bred in Britain from the late 16th century onward by crossing St. Hubert Hounds, Greyhounds, and other scenting breeds to produce a dog fast enough to follow a horse yet possessed of a reliable nose. By the 18th century, formal stud books maintained by English hunts made the English Foxhound one of the earliest breeds with recorded pedigrees in the world. The AKC recognized the breed in 1909, though it remains far more common in organized hunt packs than in private homes.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 55–75 lbs (25–34 kg)
- Height: 23–25 inches (58–64 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 50–65 lbs
- Height: 22–24 inches
Coat type: Short, dense, hard, glossy
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
English Foxhounds are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
English Foxhounds are high-energy dogs that require at least 120 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (English Foxhound)
- Daily amount: 2.5 to 3.5 cups of high-quality dry food split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Weekly brush is usually sufficient.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average English Foxhound lifespan is 10–13 years. Larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active rural families
- Experienced dog owners
- Homes with large outdoor space
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- Apartment dwellers
- First-time dog owners
- Owners with limited exercise time
- Requires significant daily exercise
🆚 English Foxhound vs Other Breeds
✅ English Foxhound wins at
The English Foxhound has a heavier, more powerful build suited for rough British terrain and pack hunting at close quarters.
✅ American Foxhound wins at
The American Foxhound is slightly lighter and faster, bred to cover the wider open landscapes of North America.
✅ English Foxhound wins at
The English Foxhound offers far greater stamina and endurance, making it the better choice for serious outdoor and hunting lifestyles.
✅ Beagle wins at
The Beagle is significantly more adaptable to family and apartment life, easier to train, and far better suited to first-time owners.
🏠 Who Should Own a English Foxhound?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active rural families
- Experienced dog owners
- Homes with large outdoor space
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- Apartment dwellers
- First-time dog owners
- Owners with limited exercise time
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is English Foxhound good for families?
The English Foxhound is affectionate and gentle with children and generally gets along well with other dogs due to its pack-oriented background. However, it has an extremely high exercise requirement and a strong prey drive that can make management difficult in a busy family setting. Families with older children, a large garden, and plenty of active outdoor time will find it a loyal and cheerful companion.
How much does a English Foxhound puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 800 and 1,500 GBP depending on lineage and hunt registration. In Pakistan the price generally ranges from 80,000 to 150,000 PKR, as the breed is rare and usually imported. In India prices fall between 40,000 and 90,000 INR, again reflecting the scarcity of local breeders and the cost of sourcing quality stock.
Is English Foxhound easy to train?
The English Foxhound is an intelligent breed but scores low on trainability for companion obedience because it was bred to work independently following a scent rather than taking direction from a handler. Basic commands can be taught with consistent positive reinforcement, but recall is notoriously unreliable off-leash once a scent trail is detected. Experienced owners who understand scent hound psychology and use patience and reward-based methods will have the most success.
What food is best for a English Foxhound?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for large, active breeds provides the balanced protein, fat, and joint-supporting nutrients an English Foxhound needs. Feed 2.5 to 3.5 cups daily split across two meals to reduce the risk of bloat, and adjust portions based on the individual dog's activity level and body condition. Look for recipes with a named meat source as the first ingredient and avoid fillers such as corn syrup or artificial preservatives.
Does English Foxhound bark a lot?
The English Foxhound has a loud, musical bay that was specifically cultivated to be heard over long distances during a hunt. Owners should expect significant vocalization, particularly when the dog picks up an interesting scent or is left without sufficient exercise and mental stimulation.
Can a English Foxhound live in an apartment?
An English Foxhound is not suited to apartment living and will become destructive, vocal, and unhappy without substantial daily outdoor exercise and space to roam. This breed genuinely needs a large, securely fenced property and ideally access to open countryside to stay physically and mentally healthy.
🏆 Final Verdict
The English Foxhound is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 10–13 years, high energy demands, and low maintenance grooming requirements, the English Foxhound is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the English Foxhound will reward you with years of loyal companionship.