Breed Standard
Head: Well-developed, with a broad skull. Slight stop. Muzzle relatively long.
Ears: Set-on high. Medium, wide, hanging flat.
Eyes: Round, brown.
Body: Built for speed and endurance. Neck long but not thick. Shoulders not heavy. Deep chest and rounded ribs. Well-muscled hindquarters.
Tail: Long, curving slightly inward.
Hair: Short, dense, hard, glossy.
Coat: Tricolor: white and fawn with a black mantle. - Bicolor: white and orangish-fawn.
Size: Dog: 56 to 63 cm (23-25 in).Bitch: 53 to 61 cm (21-24 in).
Weight: 30 to 35 kg.
History
The English Foxhound was created in the late 16th century, as a result of the perception of the depletion of deer in England. Nobles and Royalty had hunted deer for both food and sport, using the Deerhound or Staghound for this purpose. During the reign of Henry VIII, it was perceived that a new prey was needed, and the fox was selected. The English Foxhound was then created by a careful mixing of the Greyhound, for speed, the Fox Terrier, for hunting instinct, and the Bulldog, for tenacity in the hunt.
During the British Raj, English Foxhounds were imported to India for the purpose of jackal coursing, though due to the comparatively hotter weather, they were rarely long lived. Foxhounds were preferred for this purpose over greyhounds, as the former was not as fast, and could thus provide a longer, more sporting chase.
Studbooks for the English foxhound have been kept since the 18th century. Breeding lines and the work of people involved in breeding hounds is extremely important in the continual development of this working breed. Puppy shows are important events in the hunting calendar and allow the local hunt followers and visiting hound breeders to examine the latest generation from the hound pack.
The hounds were meant to trail foxes and live around horses. They are still used for those purposes.
Behavior
This robust, courageous, tireless, speedy dog with a fighting spirit can cover 6.5 km in 8 minutes and maintain a swift gallop for hours on end. With a relatively weak nose and voice, the English Foxhound always stays in sight of his quarry. His unique specialty in England is fox, but in France he hunts wild boar and deer. He is very skilled in the water. He is not really a companion dog. He needs a firm owner he can accept as the leader of the pack.
For a pack of dogs in the country, kennel life is best. Apartment life is not ideal. The English Foxhound does not like to be alone or idle. He requires regular brushing.
Function
Hunting Dog. Pet
