English Foxhound
The pack hound of the shires — built to run from breakfast to dusk.
Vital stats
| Size | Large · 58–64 cm |
| Weight | 27–34 kg |
| Life expectancy | 10–13 years |
| Energy | Very high — 2+ hours/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, year-round |
| Coat | Short, dense · tricolour, tan & white, lemon & white |
| Group | Hound · FCI №159 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
Centuries of pack life shaped a hound that is gentle, gregarious and genuinely happier in company — canine or human — than alone. Indoors it is easy-going to the point of laziness; outdoors a fresh scent flips a switch, and the melodious voice that carried across valleys carries just as well across your neighbourhood.
Habits & quirks
Nose down, ears off
Once a trail is found, your voice becomes background music — keep the lead on.
The chorus
A foxhound doesn't bark so much as sing, and it was bred to be heard a valley away.
Pack manners
Raised to share kennels and dinner with dozens, it is famously polite with other dogs.
The endless trot
Its natural pace is an all-day jog; a stroll round the block barely registers.
Care
| Exercise | Two hours or more daily — running, hiking or trotting beside a bike; a tired foxhound is the only calm foxhound. |
| Containment | A high, secure fence is non-negotiable; a scent trail beats an open gate every time. |
| Training | Work recall early and often, and accept it may never be scent-proof — long lines are your friend. |
| Company | Bred for pack life, it does poorly left alone for long days; a second dog genuinely helps. |
Common questions
Are English Foxhounds good family pets?
They're gentle, sociable and good with children, but few are kept as pets — their exercise needs and pack instincts suit rural, very active homes best.
Can an English Foxhound live in an apartment?
Realistically, no. The breed needs hours of daily running and has a carrying voice that neighbours will come to know well.
Are English Foxhounds easy to train?
House manners come easily; obedience off-lead does not. They were bred to follow scent independently, so recall around wildlife is never guaranteed.