The English Foxhound is a hound-type dog that displays a streamlined morphology and a friendly temperament. It is especially popular in its country of origin, the United Kingdom, although it has stood out notably as a hunting dog thanks to its prodigious sense of smell, which has made it popular around the world. It has been developed over generations and, in fact, this breed has been key to the further development of the American Foxhound
There are many breeds of hunting dogs but in this tab on our site we will talk in depth about the English Foxhound. We will explain what their origin is, the most notable morphological characteristics, the character they usually have, their care or education and training that must be provided to favor a balanced behavior in adulthood:
Origin of the English foxhound
The foxhound is thought to have been developed in the UK during the 13th century for hunting red foxes on horseback. Their direct ancestors are the San Huberto bloodhound or dog and the greyhound or English greyhound among other light dogs. The breeding of these dogs has always been carried out by " Maestros de foxhounds", name given to breeders in their country of origin.
However, the first official records of the English Foxhound are collected in the herd books of the "Masters of Foxhounds Association of England" prior to the 19th century, therefore, the breed is estimated to be over 200 years oldThus, even today, practically any owner of a foxhound can trace and find the genealogical line of his dog. In addition, as a curiosity, it is considered that there are currently more than 250 packs of English foxhounds in the United Kingdom.
Characteristics of the English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is a large, athletic, powerful and well-proportioned dog. The height at the withers is between 58 and 64 centimeters in height. The head, with a flattened and moderately wide skull, is in very good proportion to the body. The naso-frontal depression (stop) is slightly accentuated. The eyes are medium-sized and hazel or brown The ears are drooping and set high. The back is broad and horizontal.
The chest is deep and the ribs are sprung. The tail is set high and is usually carried happily by the dog, but never curled over the back. The coat is short, dense and waterproof It can be any color and any brand accepted in the hounds.
English foxhound character
The temperament of the English Foxhound, like any other dog, is defined by genetics, learning and life experiences. However, in general, we speak of a dog with a sociable and friendly temperament It is very dynamic, sociable and demands frequent company. The 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 a puppy. Properly socialized Foxhounds are balanced dogs that get along well with strangers, people of all kinds, other dogs and even other animals.
English foxhound care
This breed does not require excessive care, however, it is advisable to offer a weekly brushing at least to keep its coat he althy and free of dirt. In addition, this routine will help us to promptly detect parasites or any anomaly. As for the bath, it can be done every one or two months, or when the dog is really dirty. We will always use specific shampoo for dogs
We are also talking about a breed that demands a lot of physical activity, therefore, we will carry out a minimum of between 3 and 4 daily walks in the which will include a time to urinate, physical exercise, games and sniffing. We can also assess the option of practicing one of the many dog sports that exist with him, but we will always take into account the potential of the breed, his sense of smell, so games of smell cannot be missing. We will avoid offering him a sedentary routine, since this can favor the appearance of stress, anxiety and destructive behaviors.
Another important care for the English Foxhound is the feeding, which should always be based on quality products focused on their energy needs. There are many ways to feed a dog, from dry food to the BARF diet, based on raw meat. It will be the veterinarian who advises us on quantities or ingredients always taking into account our preferences and the needs of the dog itself.
English foxhound education
In his puppy stage the foxhound must learn to urinate on the newspaper and manage his bite. Later, starting the vaccination schedule and at the same time that his socialization stage is ending, the dog will have to learn to urinate in the street, while he continues to meet all kinds of people, animals and environments. At this stage we should not overwhelm him with obedience and complex exercises, but progressively introduce him to games and activities that keep his mind stimulated and awake for the next stage.
Once the dog gains much more mobility, we will begin to introduce him to basic obedience exercises, such as sitting and lying down, among others. These orders are essential to generate a good response, strengthen the bond and have good communication with the dog. We will achieve very good results by training positively, for this we can use food rewards that little by little we will replace with verbal reinforcement and/or caresses
These dogs can be somewhat barking They can also be destructive if they do not get the necessary exercise or if they are left alone for a long time. Normally these are not serious behavior problems, although if they worsen or cause the appearance of other behavior problems, it is advisable to consult a trainer, dog educator or ethologist.
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 that has a relevant incidence is leukodystrophy, in which there is a more or less rapid loss of myelin, a substance of the nervous system. We observe that the dog staggers, has a lack of coordination and progressive weakness, which is known as canine ataxia.
To detect this disorder early, it is recommended to make regular visits to the veterinary, every 6 or 12 months In addition, the dog vaccination schedule and periodic deworming, both internal and external. With all this, the life expectancy of the English foxhound is between 10 and 13 years
