English Foxhound
A traditional British pack scenthound bred for hunting fox on horseback. Sociable, gentle and tolerant, but built for stamina and rarely kept as a house pet, needing huge amounts of exercise.
English Foxhound scorecard
Overview
The English Foxhound is a large, athletic British pack scenthound traditionally bred to hunt fox in packs while followed on horseback. Standing around 58–64 cm at the shoulder and weighing roughly 29–34 kg, it is a well-balanced, deep-chested dog built for stamina, with a short, hard coat usually in classic hound colours of black, white and tan. It is one of the foundation breeds behind many modern hounds.
The English Foxhound is recognised by The Kennel Club but is rarely kept as a household pet; the great majority live in hunt kennels in packs. It is sociable, gentle and tolerant by nature, but it is bred for a working life and has enormous exercise needs, a powerful nose and the independence of a pack hound. As a companion it suits only very active, experienced owners who understand and can accommodate hound behaviour.
Good to know — a English Foxhound needs plenty of space and better with some experience. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The English Foxhound was developed in England from at least the 16th and 17th centuries onwards, as fox hunting grew into an organised mounted field sport. Breeders combined scenthound bloodlines to create a hound with the speed, stamina, nose and pack instinct needed to follow a fox across country for hours, and detailed stud records have long been kept by hunts.
The breed became the model from which several other hounds were derived, including the American Foxhound, and it remains intimately associated with traditional pack hunting and its kennels. Because it was bred for function within packs rather than as a pet, it has changed comparatively little and is still primarily a working dog rather than a show or companion breed.
Temperament & family fit
English Foxhounds are renowned for being sociable, good-natured and gentle. Bred to live and work in large packs, they are typically very tolerant of other dogs and friendly with people, with little tendency toward aggression. A well-exercised Foxhound is an even-tempered, easy-going companion that enjoys company.
The trade-off is a strong working character. The breed has a powerful nose and an instinct to follow scent, often giving a loud, musical bay when on a trail, and its pack-bred independence makes recall unreliable once it picks up an interesting smell. It does not thrive on being alone, having been raised in company, and its size, energy and voice mean it needs careful management in a domestic setting.
- Families with children of all ages
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Active homes with plenty of space
Training & intelligence
As a scenthound the English Foxhound is independent and driven by its nose rather than by a desire to please, which makes it less straightforward to train than a biddable companion breed. Patient, consistent, reward-based methods work best, but owners should keep expectations realistic, particularly around off-lead recall, which is notoriously difficult once a scent takes over.
Early socialisation is generally easy given the breed's friendly nature, but secure fencing and reliable lead work are essential because a Foxhound on a trail will follow it regardless of commands. Providing plenty of exercise and scenting outlets makes for a far more manageable dog than trying to suppress its instincts.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult English Foxhound typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, training games and puzzle feeding go a long way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Grooming is minimal. The short, dense, weatherproof coat needs only a weekly brush to remove loose hair and keep it healthy, with a little more attention during moults. Routine care otherwise covers the basics shared by all dogs: nail trimming, dental care, and regular checks of the drop ears to keep them clean and dry, since pendulous ears on an active outdoor dog can be prone to infection.
- Brush occasionally to remove loose hair
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, good-quality diet suited to a large, very active dog, divided into measured meals and adjusted to the dog's workload and body condition. As a deep-chested breed, the Foxhound should not be exercised hard immediately before or after eating, and portions should be controlled to avoid excess weight that strains the joints. Keep fresh water available and seek veterinary advice on appropriate quantities for an individual.
English Foxhound health & costs
Before bringing a English Foxhound home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£600–850 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£35–62 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£0–60 / year
Mostly DIY at home
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The English Foxhound is generally regarded as a healthy, hardy breed with relatively few inherited problems, a reflection of long-standing selection for working soundness within hunting kennels. It does not carry the exaggerated features seen in some pedigree dogs, and as a result has fewer well-documented breed-specific disorders.
That said, as a large, active breed it can be affected by joint conditions such as hip dysplasia, and like other deep-chested dogs there is a general awareness of the risk of bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus). Because so few are kept outside hunt kennels, formal companion-focused health data is limited, so owners should follow good preventive care and consult a vet about any individual concerns.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Hip dysplasia — a developmental joint condition that can affect large, active breeds; sensible to be aware of in breeding stock.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) — a serious, sudden emergency to which deep-chested breeds are generally more prone; avoid heavy exercise around meals and seek urgent vet help if suspected.
- Ear infections — drop-eared, active hounds can develop ear problems, so ears should be checked and kept clean and dry.
- Obesity — a hearty, food-motivated hound can gain weight without sufficient exercise and portion control.
- Limited companion health data — because most are kept in working packs, detailed pet-focused breed health statistics are sparse.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the English Foxhound; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a English Foxhound puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior English Foxhound
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early — larger breeds age sooner, so start senior care from around 6–7 years.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Very sociable, thrives with people and dogs
- Easy-care coat and gentle temperament
Things to consider
- Enormous exercise needs, built to run all day
- Strong nose, loud bay and weak recall
Compare the English Foxhound
See how the English Foxhound measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Similar temperament
American Foxhound
A tireless pack scenthound bred for hunting fox. Sociable and gentle with people and dogs, but high-energy, vocal and easily distracted by scent.
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
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Ariégeois
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Beagle-Harrier
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Similar size, different type
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an English and an American Foxhound?
Both descend from English pack hounds bred to hunt fox, but the American Foxhound was developed in the United States and tends to be taller, lighter-boned and a touch faster. The English Foxhound is a more substantial, deep-chested dog built for stamina. The English breed is one of the foundation breeds behind many modern hounds.
How big is an English Foxhound?
The English Foxhound is a large, athletic scenthound, standing around 58–64 cm at the shoulder and weighing roughly 29–34 kg. It is a well-balanced, deep-chested dog built for stamina, with a short, hard coat usually in classic hound colours of black, white and tan.
Do English Foxhounds make good pets?
They are sociable, gentle and tolerant by nature, but they are rarely kept as household pets — the great majority live in hunt kennels in packs. Bred for a working life, they have enormous exercise needs, a powerful nose and the independence of a pack hound. As a companion the breed suits only very active, experienced owners who understand hound behaviour.
How much exercise does an English Foxhound need?
An enormous amount. The English Foxhound is built to run for hours and needs far more vigorous daily activity than most active breeds. Long runs, secure off-lead galloping where safe, and plenty of scenting opportunities all suit it. It is wholly unsuited to a sedentary home and will become restless and vocal without adequate exercise.
Are English Foxhounds good with other dogs?
Outstandingly so. Bred to live and work in large packs, they are typically very tolerant of other dogs and friendly with people, with little tendency toward aggression. They are also friendly with children. However, having been raised in company, they do not thrive on being left alone for long periods.
Are English Foxhounds easy to train?
As a scenthound the English Foxhound is independent and driven by its nose rather than a desire to please, which makes it less straightforward to train than a biddable companion breed. Patient, consistent, reward-based methods work best, but off-lead recall is notoriously difficult once a scent takes over, so secure fencing and reliable lead work are essential.
Are English Foxhounds a healthy breed?
They are generally regarded as healthy and hardy, with relatively few inherited problems thanks to long-standing selection for working soundness, and they typically live around 10–13 years. As a large, deep-chested breed they can be affected by joint conditions such as hip dysplasia, and there is a general awareness of the risk of bloat. Follow good preventive care.
Are English Foxhounds good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, English Foxhounds tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does an English Foxhound need?
As a healthy adult, a typical English Foxhound needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do English Foxhounds shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are English Foxhounds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. English Foxhounds are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do English Foxhounds bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are English Foxhounds good with other dogs?
Very sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do English Foxhounds suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A English Foxhound really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.
Sources
- The Kennel Club (UK) — English Foxhound breed information and dog care guidance: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — English Foxhound standard, Group 6 (Scenthounds): https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/
- PDSA — general dog health, exercise and weight guidance: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice
- Blue Cross — advice on dog exercise and behaviour: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.