Large
13 Years
34 Kg
Hound Dogs
Alert, Cheerful, Friendly, Out-Going, Social
The Foxhound is a large breed of hunting hound dog described as a breed with great stamina and energy. Its overall appearance is that of a well-balanced, powerful, and clean cut hunting dog. It was developed during the late 16th century as an alternative hunting dog to the Deerhound and the Staghound when the deer population started to decline. The Foxhound is built for speed, hunting power, and tenacity. It is a best of three worlds – a combination of the amazing qualities of the Greyhound, Fox Terrier, and the Bulldog. The ideal breed height is between 53-61 cm at the withers for females and 56-63 cm for females. The average weight range between 29-32 kg with males on the heavier side of the scale.
The Foxhound is the main attraction at the annual Royal Foxhound Show at the Festival of Hunting event in Peterborough – an annual showcase of the world’s best hounds in the United Kingdom.
IntelligenceAll dog breeds have different levels of intellect. Some dog breeds; working dogs in particular, are very independent thinkers and have been evolved to be very intelligent. Typically, a highly intelligent dog does well in obedience training and other activities. A highly intelligent dog can be very demanding and do require lots of physical and mental stimulation. If you’re looking for a relatively laid-back dog, that doesn’t require lots of mental and physical stimulation, then you must fully understand the level of intelligence of your dog breed of choice.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, you must fully understand their intellect levels and their specific levels of energy. To keep your dog well-balanced and happy, their needs must be met and maintained.
Exercise NeedsAll dog breeds have different needs when it comes to the level of exercise they require. For the high energy dogs; which are your typical working dogs, they have a lot of energy and require lots of daily exercise along with plenty of mental stimulation. A highly energetic dog breed would suit an individual or family that is equally as active and loves the outdoors. There are also breeds that have relatively low exercise needs, such as toy dog breeds. Although they require daily exercise and mental stimulation, they’re just as happy chilling at home with their loved ones. This type of dog breed would suit an individual or family that prefers the peace and quiet and relaxation.
Before deciding on your chosen dog breed, Mypetzilla recommends that you research the exercise needs and whether you’re well equipped before committing to buying or adopting a particular dog breed.
Dogs HealthThere are several dog breeds that are known and potentially predisposed to developing health related conditions. Sensible breeding can help prevent the onset of health related conditions and this should always be taken into condition when researching your dog breed of choice. Before committing to a dog, you should speak to the breeder about any health related conditions that may affect the dog you’re looking to buy or adopt. You can also request to see any test results from genetic testing.
Child FriendlyThere are many dog breeds that tolerate children really well and are not affected by the constant noise and need for play-time. However, there are some dog breeds that don’t do very well with children and can become frustrated and snappy. That being said, all children should be shown how to handle and care for a dog in their home and should always be supervised when playing. As much as a dog can become annoyed and snappy with a younger child, the child can also become less tolerant and misbehaved towards the dog.
Mypetzilla recommends that you always supervise play-time between your children and dog. Children need to respect the boundaries and feeding time for the dog and likewise for the child. We also strongly advise that play-time doesn’t get out of control and too rough which can cause injury to both child and dog.
ApartmentThere are lots of dog breeds that are well suited to living in an apartment. It’s worthwhile noting that you need to check that you’re allowed dogs in your building before committing to bringing one home. If you do decide to own a dog and are living in an apartment, then you must make sure that they have plenty of room to roam around and frequent walks outside to prevent them from becoming bored and depressed.
Mypetzilla recommends that you check as to whether you’re allowed dogs in your apartment building and to fully ensure your apartment is dog proof before committing fully to bringing a dog home.
SheddingAll dog breeds shed to some extent, some more than others. With this, all potential dog owners should be aware of this, as it will be a matter of putting up with some hair or lots of hair being left around the house. Depending on the dog breed, there are certain times during the year where some dog breeds shed the most and this is typically around spring and autumn. However, there are some dog breeds that shed all year round.
If you’re very house-proud, they you may want to choose a dog breed that sheds very little. Mypetzilla strongly recommends that you fully research your dog breed of choice and their shedding levels before committing.
Grooming NeedsAll dog breeds require different levels of grooming. Some dog breeds are easier to maintain than others and only require a weekly brush to help keep their coat in good condition. There are some dog breeds that require regular trips to the grooming parlour and this can come at a huge cost. Either way, all dog breeds require their coat and nails to be maintained and cared for.
Mypetzilla strongly advices that potential owners research the grooming needs and associated costs with their desired dog breed before fully committing.
BarkingBarking is a necessity for your dog to communicate. However, it can also be a nuisance to yourself and fellow neighbours if it’s not kept under control. If you live in an apartment, then you’re better off choosing a dog breed that doesn’t bark as much. If you live further out and far from civilisation, then it’s worthwhile looking into a dog breed that does bark and will bark to alert you of any other company on your property.
Mypetzilla advices that you research the behaviours of your dog breed of choice and whether this would work for you and your family. It’s worth noting that dogs can be trained to bark less and this will take a lot of effort and training from the owner.
AloneMajority dog breeds form very close relationships with their owners and as a result can become very stressed when left alone for a period of time. If a dog is suffering with separation anxiety then they’re very likely to become destructive around the home as a way of dealing with their anxieties. Dog breeds that do form strong bonds with their owners are better accustomed to a household where one member of the family remains home, whilst the others are out, this is to help avoid further anxieties and destructive behaviours.
Mypetzilla recommends that all potential owners research their dog breed of choice on their bonding abilities and how well-adjusted they are to being left alone at home. It’s also worth noting that you should never leave your dog for longer than 4 hours alone at home.
TrainabilityThere are certain dogs breeds that have very high intellect and therefore easier to train than other dog breeds. There is also a downside to this; as fast as they learn the new trick or command, they can easily pick up bad habits just as quick. Other dog breeds that don’t rank as high on the intellect scale require patience and plenty of reward treats from their owners during training.
Before committing to a certain dog breed, Mypetzilla advices you to fully research your dog breed of choice and their level of training needs.
Energy LevelsAll dog breeds have different energy levels. The working dog breed has one of the highest energy levels in comparison to the low-energy dog’s breeds such as the Toy dog breed group. To keep a dog truly happy, healthy and well-balanced, their energy levels must be met.
High-energy dog breeds need lots of exercise and mental stimulation. High energy dog breeds would suit an active family or person. Dog breeds that are considered as low-energy, love to spend the majority of their time relaxing and sleeping in their favourite, comfy spot. A low-energy dog breed would suit an individual that equally loves the quiet life and relaxing lifestyle. Of course, low-energy dogs still need their daily walks and mental stimulation, just not as much as a high-energy dog breed.
Mypetzilla recommends that potential owner research fully on the type of dog breed that would suit their existing lifestyle and to also take into consideration the dog breeds energy levels and exercise requirements.
Dog friendlyBefore you decide on what dog breed would be suitable for you and your family, you must consider whether they’re a friendly dog breed and if you already have other pets within the household. For homes that already have dogs and other domestic pets, then it’s wise to choose a dog breed that has a friendly personality and temperament.
There are some dog breeds that mix well with other dog breeds and there are others that don’t suit one another and this could potentially cause issues later on down the line.
Another important point to consider is whether the dog breed of choice is friendly towards people and children.
Mypetzilla recommends to research fully on the right dog breed for your family and to also consider their temperament and characteristics.
The Foxhound was developed during the late 16th century as a replacement pack hunting dog for the Deerhound and Staghound. It was perceived back then that the deer population in England was starting to deplete because it was hunted for both meat and sport. As a result, it was established that a new prey was needed and so the fox was selected to replace the deer and hunters needed a new dog breed that could effectively help them hunt foxes effectively. The Foxhound was then created through careful cross breeding of the Greyhound which was selected for its speed, the Fox Terrier for its uncanny hunting instinct, and the Bulldog for its ferocity in the hunt. For well over two centuries, the Foxhound has been bred along careful lines with the stud book maintained and published by the Masters of Foxhound Association of England since the early 1800s. There are currently 186 packs of Foxhounds that hunt in England, Wales, and Scotland to date.
This breed is alert, cheerful, friendly, outgoing, and social. It is a pack hound that hunts by following a scent rather than sight. Hunts usually last for many hours a day, so Foxhounds were bred for endurance, sometimes hunting up to three times a week. When a scent is detected, the Foxhound lets out a cry or tongue to alert other hounds of the scent. A Foxhound kept as a pet can sometimes be vocal when it detects an interesting smell. It is a social animal that works in a pack and is not too independent like other breeds. It is a fast runner, owing to its original purpose as a hunter putting pressure on the fox during a hunt. The Foxhound is a courageous dog but is generally people-friendly which does not makes it a good watchdog.
The Foxhound responds well to leadership and is generally trainable in obedience, although it is not quite as responsive compared to some breeds. Training takes patience and the general understanding of how a hound dog works. It responds well to consistent and calm approach from a firm leader who will act as the pack leader. Socialisation at an early age is key to correcting the Foxhound’s stubbornness. It has an instinct to roam when it senses an interesting smell so training the dog to come when called is also a priority, particularly from an early age.
The Foxhound has a shiny, short coat which usually comes in a tri-colour pattern of black, white and tan. The short coat is quite easy to keep clean. Like other breeds, the Foxhound sheds but regular brushing will help minimize hair fall. Use a rough cloth or hound mitt to brush the coat on a weekly basis. This will not only help remove dead hair but also keep the coat clean and looking good. Bathing is on an as-needed basis, using a good-quality dog shampoo in the process.
It is a generally healthy breed with a median lifespan of 13 years. It tends to get overweight, so overfeeding is a big no-no. Unlike other dogs, the Foxhound has very few health problems. Occasionally, there are a few dogs who are reported with:
The Foxhound has a lot of stamina and energy that requires a great deal of exercise. In the field, it can run after a prey for several hours without resting. As a pet, daily long walks or jogs, running alongside a bicycle, or an hour of free running in a secured yard are all ideal exercise routines. A Foxhound without enough exercise can become destructive.
The Foxhound is generally friendly with people and is an excellent dog with children. As a pack hunter, it goes extremely well with other dogs and other animals.
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