English Foxhound

Most foxhounds in the United States are American Foxhounds, but there are also English Foxhounds. They are larger in bone than their American cousins, but similar in temperament.

The English Foxhound is primarily a hunting hound; he may sometimes be a family pet if he has the kind of personality to fit into a life with people. Foxhounds are steady dogs, and they get along well with other animals. They have the hound's sense of smell and curiosity.

Foxhounds may be in any hound color--usually they are brown, black, and white. The tail curves upward cheerfully, with slightly longer hair underneath.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Muscular but not heavy with legs as straight as posts, large bones, and a deep chest.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: The symmetry of the Foxhound is of greatest importance.

Fun Facts

Fox hunting has been practiced in England for hundreds of years, at least since the 1400s. Hunting larger game, such as deer, was more popular then. But starting in the late 1600s, packs of hounds were kept especially for hunting foxes. Hunting the fox grew into a national passion in Britain. It took money to raise and train the hounds and to keep hunting horses in top condition, so it was mostly a sport of the upper class. But any farmer whose land was crossed by the hunt could hop on his horse and join in the contest of man, horse, and hound in pursuit of fox.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.