Hound group
English Foxhound
A sturdy, sociable pack hound built for long days across the English countryside.
English Foxhounds are powerful, sociable scent hounds bred to run in packs for hours. They are friendly and easygoing, but need a great deal of exercise and are rarely kept as house pets.
- Height
- 24–25 in61–64 cm
- Weight
- 60–75 lb27–34 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Size
- Large
- Group
- Hound
- Origin
- England
Coat: Short, dense, hard coat. Colours: Tricolour, Lemon and white, Badger pied, Hare pied.
At a glance
Ratings describe typical dogs of the breed on a 1–5 scale. Individual dogs vary with lines, upbringing and training.
Temperament
English Foxhounds are gentle, friendly and very dog-oriented. They generally get along with people and children and thrive in canine company.
Bred to run with the pack, they are independent and single-minded on a scent. They need lots of exercise and have a loud bay.
Living with a English Foxhound
Exercise
Needs two hours of exercise daily; long runs and hikes on a lead or in secure areas.
Grooming
Minimal: a weekly rub with a hound mitt, regular ear checks and nail care. Check for ticks after country outings.
Training
Independent and scent-driven; patience and consistency are essential.
Kids & other pets
Good with children and excellent with other dogs; unsafe with small pets.
Time alone
Pack animals that dislike isolation. A canine companion and plenty of exercise help; bored foxhounds bay and escape.
Home fit
Best suited to a house with secure outdoor space; apartment living is hard on this breed and its neighbours.
Is a English Foxhound right for you?
Take the Breed Fit quiz to see how a English Foxhound matches your home, schedule and tolerance for shedding, barking and exercise — or find out which breed matches your personality with Dogsona.
Health
With good breeding and care, a English Foxhound typically lives 10–13 years. These are the conditions most associated with the breed — not a prediction for any individual dog.
Hip dysplasia
Screened parents reduce the risk of joint disease.
Ear infections
Hanging ears need regular cleaning.
Obesity
Pet foxhounds without enough exercise gain weight easily.
Ask a breeder for
- Hip evaluation
- Eye examination
Sources: OFA health testing guidance: English Foxhound; American Kennel Club breed standard. This is general information, not veterinary advice — talk to your vet about your own dog.
Cost to own
After the first year, expect roughly $1,500–$3,000 a year for food, routine vet care, preventives, insurance and supplies (US estimate).
- Food, medication and anaesthesia are dosed by weight, so every vet visit costs more for a big dog.
- Pet insurance for a puppy typically runs $30–$60 a month; premiums rise with age and breed risk.
History
English Foxhounds were developed in the 1700s for organised fox hunting. Masters of Foxhounds kept detailed stud books, some dating back to the 1800s.
The breed was recognised by the AKC in 1909 but remains one of the rarest AKC breeds, as most English Foxhounds still live in hunting packs.
Did you know?
- Foxhound stud books are among the oldest breeding records of any dog.
- English Foxhounds are one of the least common AKC breeds.
- Hunt packs are counted in “couples” — pairs of hounds.
Library guides for English Foxhound owners
Training
Come (Recall)
High chase drive makes a reliable recall essential.
Training
Heel and Loose-Leash Walking
A strong English Foxhound needs loose-lead manners early.
Exercise & Play
Fetch
A fast way to meet a high exercise need.
Exercise & Play
Dog Road Work
Structured conditioning for high-stamina dogs.
Exercise & Play
Tug of War
An energy outlet that also builds impulse control.
Exercise & Play
Dog Walking
Getting daily walks right for a English Foxhound.
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
- Are English Foxhounds good pets?
- For active, rural homes with space, yes. They need lots of exercise.
- Do English Foxhounds bark a lot?
- They bay loudly, especially when bored or on a scent.
- English vs American Foxhound?
- English Foxhounds are heavier and stockier; American Foxhounds are lighter and longer-legged.