English Foxhound Favorite Pet of Napoleon III

English Foxhound History

The English Foxhound Breeders developed through very selective breeding on the hunting estates of England's upper crust. The English Foxhound breed has always been used for one purpose; that of running down the fox ahead of horsemen. They are a very lean and muscular breed. This physical characteristic of body fat to muscle tissue ratio is a nutritional factor that needs to be considered when looking at their food requirements. They can store large amounts of protein to supply their energy requirements during the hunt. They also require large quantities of water during this exercise.

English Foxhound

The origins of the English Foxhound, the only large game hunting breed from England, are under debate. He is believed to have been developed in Great Britain around the fifteenth century for fox hunting from Staghounds, deer-hunting bloodhounds. Hunters wanted smaller, much faster, hardier dogs and were less concerned with voice and sense of smell. Fox hunting reached its peak in England in the first half of the nineteenth century. The English Foxhound was a favorite of Napoleon III. By the seventeenth century, the breed was used in the United States to develop the American Foxhound. Because of his bone structure, vigor, and hardiness, the English Foxhound was also used in France to develop pack hounds for large game hunting. The breed remains fairly rare in France.

English Foxhound 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.

English Foxhound

Derived from the English foxhound and American foxhound but with longer legs. This hound was developed for pursuing scent trails over high hills and moorland in the English Lake District. Leg length has allowed it to navigate very rocky terrain and walls with immense ease. The sport is still well followed in the Lake District whereby it is a race to see which hound finishes the trail first. Trail hounds are available as puppies and also as adults after their trailing career has ended. Hardly known about even in the UK. A rare breed with all the qualities of the Foxhound (below) but racier lines.

A true country man, with endless energy and long distance, all-day endurance over all types of terrain. Medium sized, drop eared, highly intelligent and very athletic. Attractive, gentle, loving with an easy nature towards humans, dogs and other pets.

English Foxhounds Bred and Food Supplies

Foxhounds bred purely for show can be bigger and heavier and have lost some of the foxhound functionality. Be clear whether you want a working or show line, check any differences carefully and be clear also what the breeder breeds. Needs lots of running time. For very active households only, which will take it hiking, jogging and cycling. Does not like to be alone and can easily become bored and destructive.

Food supplies for this breed included the fox, hare, and other small animals from their native environment combined with the type of vegetables and grain crops found in England's central farmlands. For the English Foxhound I recommend foods high in their fiber content. The carbohydrates should be from sources of potato, oats, and wheat with the meats from lean horse meat and beef. I also feel you should avoid feeding an English Foxhound any ocean fish, soy, poultry, or yellow corn.

English Foxhound

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.

Posted in: Planet Dogs Breed