Good-natured and easygoing with people and other dogs, shaped by centuries of living and working in packs. It is tireless and single-minded once it picks up a scent, but calm and dignified in the house when well exercised.124
how to spot oneEnglish Foxhound coat and colours
short, dense, weatherproof
A powerful, well-muscled galloping hound with long, straight legs, a level back and a very deep chest built for endurance. The coat is short and thick and stands up well to wind and rain.125
Comes inany recognised hound colour and markings12
a typical week and yearThe care rhythm
A typical home-care rhythm for an English Foxhound. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
how busy a day looksEnglish Foxhound exercise needs
Very high: The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise a day, ideally in open country.4
where they are happiestEnglish Foxhound at home
Best suited to a rural home with a large, securely fenced garden and an experienced owner who understands pack hounds.4
who they like aroundEnglish Foxhound with people and other pets
Bred to live and hunt in a pack, so it enjoys canine company and does not like being left alone for long.41
the hands-on bitsEnglish Foxhound grooming and care
The short coat needs a weekly brush; it sheds regularly.4
the things everyone asksOwner questions
How often should I feed my English Foxhound, and at what times?
Feed your adult English Foxhound at least two meals a day, ideally at the same times each day. Puppies need three to four smaller meals. Check the food label for amounts and ask your vet for a plan tailored to your dog.6
What should an English Foxhound eat, and which foods are dangerous?
Feed a high-quality dog food appropriate for its age and activity level. Dangerous foods include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol, and macadamia nuts. Never give human treats or table scraps without checking with your vet.7
How often should I bathe an English Foxhound?
Pet Wiki's starting plan suggests a bath every eight weeks, but you can bathe more often if your dog gets very dirty. The ASPCA recommends at least once every three months. Use a mild dog shampoo and rinse well.8
How often does an English Foxhound need brushing?
Brush your English Foxhound's short coat once a week to remove loose hair and keep it healthy. It sheds regularly, so weekly brushing helps manage shedding. Use a soft bristle brush or a grooming mitt.48
How do I trim an English Foxhound's nails, and how often?
Trim nails every four weeks, or sooner if you hear them clicking on the floor. Cut a little at a time, stopping before the quick (the pink part inside). If you are unsure, ask your vet or a groomer to show you how.8
How much exercise does an English Foxhound need?
The Royal Kennel Club suggests more than two hours of exercise daily, ideally in open country. This breed is very active and needs plenty of running and play. Daily walks and off-lead time in a safe area are essential.4
How do I look after an English Foxhound's teeth and ears?
Brush your dog's teeth two to three times a week with dog toothpaste, never human toothpaste. Check ears weekly and dry them gently, especially since floppy ears trap moisture. Never push anything into the ear canal.8
How long does an English Foxhound live?
The English Foxhound typically lives around 12 years. With good care, regular vet checkups, and a healthy lifestyle, many live a full and happy life. Senior years usually start around age 7.4
Is an English Foxhound good with children and other pets?
Yes, this breed is good-natured and easygoing with people and other dogs, thanks to centuries of pack living. It is calm and dignified at home when well exercised. Always supervise interactions with young children and introduce to other pets slowly.124
Can an English Foxhound be left alone?
This breed does not like being left alone for long periods because it was bred to live and work in a pack. It enjoys canine company and may become anxious or destructive if left alone too much. Consider a companion dog or doggy daycare if you are away often.41
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
what to watchEnglish Foxhound health problems
The conditions the breed clubs and health schemes name for the English Foxhound. Most animals of the breed never get them; this is what to ask a breeder or an insurer about.
Generally healthy breed
Bred for generations as a working pack hound, the Foxhound has no breed-specific tests recommended by either the US or UK kennel clubs. AKC parent club: 'no recommended health tests'; UK KC Breed Watch category 1, lifespan over 12 years ↗
Hip dysplasia
The hip joint does not fit together well, which can lead to stiffness and arthritis later in life; a generic risk for a large active breed. no published rate; generic large-breed condition, not flagged by the clubs ↗
Ear infections
Long drop ears trap moisture, so regular ear checks and cleaning help. generic for drop-eared hounds; no breed rate published ↗
Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus)
A deep-chested breed, so the stomach can twist suddenly; this is an emergency worth knowing the signs of. generic risk for deep-chested breeds; no breed rate published ↗
Little is published for this breed; these are the usual conditions for its size and type. Not veterinary advice: for your own animal, ask your vet.
per year, in your countryWhat an English Foxhound costs
Running costs for an English Foxhound, built from current prices in each country: food scaled to the weight of the breed, insurance to its size, the rest per country. The purchase price and unplanned vet bills come on top.
Estimates from the sources linked on each line. Food: a complete dry food at about 3,600 kcal/kg at the NRC maintenance energy for the average weight of the breed. Insurance: a typical adult policy scaled by size; real quotes depend on breed, age and cover.
by countryIs the English Foxhound legal where you live?
No breed-specific rule names the English Foxhound in the 61 countries we check. General dangerous-dog laws still apply everywhere, and some cities keep their own lists.
Laws change and local rules exist; this is a sourced overview, not legal advice.
homemade and simpleTreats they will love
English Foxhound tip
For a large, active breed like the English Foxhound, choose treats that are low in fat and calories, and always account for them within their daily food allowance to help avoid weight gain. Offer treats in moderation, and consider using part of their regular kibble as a reward during training.
Not veterinary advice. Check with your vet first if your pet has allergies, a health condition, is on a special diet or is pregnant. Treats should stay a small part of the daily food. Cut to a safe size and supervise. Terms of use
for the dinner tableFun facts
1
More than 250 foxhound packs have been established in Great Britain.1
2
Its studbooks go back to the 1700s, so many hounds can trace their pedigree for centuries.3
3
The breed standard describes a hound 24 inches at the shoulder with a chest girth of up to 31 inches.5
4
In British India it was preferred over faster sighthounds for jackal hunting because its steadier pace gave a longer chase.3
The moment the door opens, I'm off, nose to the ground, following a scent that only I can smell. My pack, my humans and my furry siblings, join me in the field. We run for hours, over hills and through hedges, my baying a joyful song. Back home, I collapse on the cool floor, my legs twitching in a dream of chases. My human scratches my ears, and I thump my tail. Tomorrow, we'll do it all again. Life is best when it's full of scents and speed.
A made-up story, just for fun. Not advice of any kind.
where it all beganEnglish Foxhound history
The English Foxhound was shaped in Britain to follow foxes by scent ahead of mounted hunters, with each hunt refining its own type of pack hound. Masters of Foxhounds have kept careful studbooks since the 18th century, making it one of the best-documented breeds.1324
Standard no. 159, Group 6 (Scenthounds and related breeds), Section 1.1 Large-sized Hounds, with working trial; standard dated 26.03.2009; FCI recognition 1964.1
The Royal Kennel Club
Hound group ('Foxhound'); Breed Watch category 1; not on the vulnerable native breeds list.4
American Foxhound
Harrier
Beagle