The English Foxhound is a hound with a slender build and a friendly temperament. He is particularly popular in his native country, the United Kingdom, where he has distinguished himself remarkably as a hunting dog thanks to his prodigious sense of smell. This breed was developed over generations and even played a key role in the later development of the American Foxhound.
There are many breeds of hunting dogs but in this PlanèteAnimal file, we are going to look at the English Foxhound and we will see together its origin, its most important morphological characteristics, its character, its care and the education and training he needs to receive.
Origin
- Europe
- United Kingdom
FCI Nomenclature
- Group VI
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
- Short ears
Size
- Large
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 25-45
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Balanced
- Society
- Very loyal
- Active
- Affectionate
- Docile
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- The hunt
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- End
- Big
- Bold
Origin of the English Foxhound
" The foxhound is believed to have developed in the UK during the 13th century to hunt red foxes on horseback. Its direct ancestors are the Saint-Hubert dog and the greyhound, among other light dogs. These dogs have always been bred by foxhound masters, the name given to breeders in their country of origin."
However, the first official mentions of the English Foxhound are recorded in the breeding books of the Association of Foxhound Masters of England before the 19th century, so it is believed that the breed has more 200 years old. So, even today, virtually any foxhound owner can trace and find their dog's pedigree. Also, as a curiosity, it is believed that there are currently over 250 packs of English Foxhounds in the UK.
Characteristics of the English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is a large, athletic, powerful and well-proportioned dog. Its height at the withers is between 58 and 64 centimeters, the head, with a flattened and moderately broad skull, is well proportioned with the rest of the body. His stop is not very accentuated. Its eyes are medium in size and hazel or brown in color. His ears are droopy and set high. The back is wide and horizontal.
The chest is deep and the ribs are arched. The tail is high set and the dog normally carries it cheerfully, but never curled over the back. The coat is short, dense and waterproof. It can be any color.
English Foxhound Character
The English Foxhound's temperament, like that of any other dog, is defined by genetics, learning and experience. In general, it is a dog with a sociable and friendly temperament. He is very dynamic, sociable and requires frequent companionship. Socialization of the dog is not usually a problem in this breed, but it is important to carry it out when the dog is still small. A properly socialized Foxhound is a balanced dog that gets along well with strangers, people of all kinds, other dogs, and even other animals.
Caring for an English Foxhound
This breed does not require excessive care, but it is advisable to brush it once a week to keep its coat he althy and free of dirt.In addition, this routine will help us detect parasites or any abnormality early. You can give him a bath every month or two, or whenever he gets really dirty. We will always use a specific shampoo for dogs.
This is also a breed that needs lots of physical activity, so plan for a minimum of 3-4 walks a day, which includes time to urinate, exercise physics, games and time to sniff everywhere. We can also consider practicing one of the many canine sports that exist, but we will always keep in mind the potential of the breed, its sense of smell. We will avoid offering him a sedentary routine, as this can promote the appearance of stress, anxiety and destructive behavior.
Another important aspect of English Foxhound care is their diet, which should always be based on quality products that focus on their energy needs.There are many ways to feed a dog, from dry food to BARF diet, raw meat. It is the veterinarian who will advise us on the quantities or ingredients, always taking into account our preferences and the needs of the dog himself.
Dressage and education of the English Foxhound
The foxhound puppy must learn to urinate in the newspaper and inhibit its bite. Later, as soon as his vaccinations have started and at the same time as the end of his socialization phase, the dog must learn to urinate in the street, while continuing to get to know all kinds of people, animals and people. environments. At this point, we shouldn't overwhelm him with obedience drills and complex exercises, but gradually introduce him to games and activities that will keep his mind stimulated and awake to be ready for the next step.
" Once the dog has gained mobility, we will begin to introduce them to basic obedience exercises, such as sit and lay down.These commands are essential to generate a good response, strengthen the bond and have good communication with the dog. We will get very good results by applying positive training."
These dogs can be a bit of a barker. They can also be destructive if they don't get proper exercise or are left alone for too long. Normally, they do not have major behavioral problems, but if this is the case, do not hesitate to call a professional dog trainer.
English Foxhound He alth
Unlike most dog breeds, the English Foxhound does not have a wide variety of recorded hereditary diseases. In fact, the only one whose incidence is significant is leukodystrophy, which is characterized by a more or less rapid loss of myelin, a substance of the nervous system. The dog is observed to stagger, exhibit lack of coordination and progressive weakness, known as canine ataxia.
To detect this disorder at an early stage, regular visits to the veterinarian are recommended, every 6 to 12 months. Also, the dog's vaccination schedule and regular intake of dewormers, both internal and external, must be adhered to. The life expectancy of the English Foxhound is between 10 and 13 years.
English Foxhound Pictures
