English Foxhound

From ArticleWorld

There are two breeds of foxhounds, both of which are scent hounds; the English Foxhound is the original breed. Scent hounds are breeds that have been developed to hunt by scent, rather than sight.

History

The origins of the English Foxhound date back to the late 1700s. They are the oldest breeds of Foxhounds. Official records for this breed can be traced back to the early 1800s. The English Foxhound was developed by using a mix of the Greyhound, known for its quickness and speed, the Fox Terrier, to bring out the hunter in the breed and the Bulldog, which gave it more muscle and a wider chest. As the name implies, they were originally bred to hunt foxes while being comfortable around horses.

Characteristics

The average English Foxhound stands about 21 to 25 inches tall and weighs in the area of 65 to 75 pounds. They have a wide skull and a long muzzle that helps keep them cool on the extended runs chasing fox. These were originally pack hounds, and as such, they get along well with other dogs and crave human attention as well. Their hunting history makes them a very active breed and they require a good deal of exercise. They make very good house pets because they are very social and gentle. They are good with children, other pets and horses. These dogs need space to run and if confined in smaller areas they may become destructive. This breed does not live well in apartments. The life span for this breed is approximately 10 to 13 years. This is a very healthy breed and only occasionally do they suffer from hip dysplasia and renal disease.