English Foxhound
About the English Foxhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-27" |
| Weight | 60-75 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Very High (90+ min/day)
90 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, English Foxhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your English Foxhound
The story behind the English Foxhound
The English Foxhound was developed in England from roughly the seventeenth century onward, as fox hunting displaced deer hunting among the landed gentry, with packs bred by hunts rather than by individual owners. Breeding drew on older staghound and harrier stock and later took in crosses for speed as the sport quickened, and hunts kept detailed stud records from the eighteenth century, among the earliest systematic pedigree records for any dog. The breed was maintained by hunt kennels rather than by kennel clubs, and its standards were judged through performance in the field and at hound shows. Hunting foxes with dogs was restricted by law in England and Wales during the 2000s, changing the role of many packs, and the dogs remain kennelled largely in hunt establishments, with only a few kept as household pets.
Originally bred for: Pack fox hunting hound, Mounted hunt dog, Trail hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a English Foxhound
A rangy endurance runner needing food matched to season and workload, with far more required through a hunting winter than an idle summer. Kennel-raised hounds generally do best on consistent, simple rations fed in divided portions, with rest before and after hard exercise.
Watch for: No breed-linked intolerance is documented in this large, functionally bred population, and hounds generally have robust digestion. Pack dogs may bolt food competitively, causing upset unrelated to ingredients, so feed them separately and consult a veterinarian about problems that persist.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a English Foxhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse chew toys built for strong jaws and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.