The Foxhound

by: Nikki Carroll

Foxhounds were the very first dogs in Great Britain to come under the domination of scientific breeding. Their roots can be traced back at least to the 13th century. Although, there had been  hounds of more ancient origin, such as the Southern  Hound and the Bloodhound, something different was wanted towards the end of the seventeenth century to hunt the wild deer that had become somewhat scattered after Cromwell's civil war. There was a need for a quicker hound. In 1650, when the English Foxhound reach America, they began breeding them to be lighter, faster and taller.

 The Foxhound has a broad head which is not peaked like the Bloodhound.  It is long from the apex to the frontal bones, the eyebrows are very prominent, and their ears are set low. Their natural condition is thin and shapely, but not large. Their eyes are very bright and deeply set, full of determination, and with a very steady expression. The look of the Foxhound is very remarkable. Their coat is hard hair, but short and smooth, the texture is as stiff as bristles, but beautifully laid.

Although the Foxhound is sweet, affectionate and gentle, they have not generally been bred to be family dogs. When rasied from a puppy they are excellent with both children and other dogs. They do, also, tend to need a lot of exercise and are not recommended for one looking for an “apartment friendly” dog. Without a good deal of exercise, they can become destructive when restless. They are an extremely healthy breed that is basically free of any genetic disease. They must not be overfed because they are prone to obesity. Their average weight is from 55 to 75 pounds with a height of up to 27 inches.

 

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