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The English Foxhound is a symbol for serious dog breeders to strive for: beauty, balance and utility. A poet said, “”next to an old Greek statue,”” a fine Foxound has some such combination of grace and power. “”
These pack-oriented, odor-driven hunters are gentle and sociable, but rarely seen as house pets. They can be driven by a fundamental instinct to pursue what matters to them, not more to the training. The master of these great creatures is best left to hunters, who pack reindeer packets, or to those who work hard to chase from fast, powerful hunters to face life’s special challenges. Huh.
In medieval England, aristocrats and their prey hunted stag in the vast forests that overtook Britain during the Dark Ages following the fall of the Roman Empire. The killing of foxes, those sly hen poachers, was considered merely chic for lowly peasants and landlords.
This changed with the fall of the Middle Ages. As the population increased, the forests decreased and the deer population decreased. The British Gentry, wishing to continue the pastime of their cremated horses and wounds, gradually phased the stag hunting in favor of a new type of mine: the red fox.
A traditional British foxhunt thundering over rolling acres of lawn and hedging in the 1600s, with bowling hounds and mounted hunters. The “”Masters of Hounds”” developed a dog for this dog by breeding leggy greyhound-type hounds (for speed and agility) from large stag-hunting wounds (for nose and endurance). The result was the English Foxhound, whose form and pattern is remarkably unchanged today.
By the 1700s, foxhunts were all the rage among the English Upper Crust. Colonial American players, including George Washington and his wealthy Virginia neighbors, entertained their homeland a little by staging English-style foxhunts on their gardens. Washington was an important figure in building the foxhound, a slimmer, longer hound developed by the cross of the English foxhound for French wounds imported from the kennels of the Marquis de Lafayette. It is also likely that the English foxhound blood courses through the veins of the Coinhound breeds developed by American frontiersmen.
Due to the importance of fox hunting to English culture and the spread of the English Foxhound to most of the British territories, the English Foxhound is one of the most recognizable dog breeds in the world. For much of the world, the breed defines what a pack hunting hunter should look like; Large size, straight legged, drooping ear and in traditional hound colours. The appearance of most English Foxhounds is determined by the purpose of the breed. This is a working dog and it should look like this.
The English Foxhound is a large breed. The length of both the sexes should be between 23 to 25 inches at the shoulder. Although breed standards do not set an ideal weight, a typical hunting English Foxhound will weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. Dogs bred for the show ring are quite large, with some males approaching 100 pounds. While these dogs should be muscular and somewhat plump, they should by no means appear overweight.
The English Foxhound has a long muzzle and nose, although not as long as some hounds such as the Basset Hound. This gives the dog a larger area for odor receptors. The breed has hooked ears, which flop forward. These ears should not be tall compared to the body size of a breed such as the Bloodhound, but rather in proportion to the Beagle. Some extra skin appears around the mouth and face, which can lead to some wrinkles around the lips. The head of the breed is attached to the body by a relatively long neck.
The English Foxhound is strong and athletic in appearance. These dogs have very thick, straight legs, which are ideal for long chases. The entire dog should look muscular, especially around the shoulders and hips. The dog’s body is kept high off the ground. The English Coonhound has a long tail that is usually held in an upright, saber-like position.
The coat of the English Foxhound is short, dense, hard and shiny. This gives the breed some protection from the elements. Color is not considered particularly important, as long as the breed is of the traditional hound colour, meaning any combination of black, white and tan. Although these dogs come in many patterns, the most recognizable and common is a saddle-shaped mark on the back. Judges primarily care about the symmetry of the breed’s coat.
The gestation period in lasts for 60-64 days The primary period of the reproductive cycle of the female is called Proestrus and goes on for around 9 days. During this time the females begin to draw in males. The subsequent part is the Estrus when the bitch is receptive to the male. It goes on for around 3 to 11 days. The third part is the Diestrus. Usually, it happens around day 14. In this period the bitch’s discharge changes for distinctive red and reaching its end. The vulva gets back to average, and she will no longer allow mating. The fourth part called the Anestrus. The time span between heat periods ordinarily keeps going around a half year. The litter size ranges between 6 to 8 puppies at a time.
The English Foxhound’s short, hard, dens and glossy coat requires minimal maintenance. A weekly brush with a soft-bristle brush or hound glove will help remove dirt and loose hair and keep the dog looking its best, and a topical bath (using a gentle shampoo) will give him a dog’s look. May help to keep odor. Ears should be regularly inspected and cleaned with a soft mist and an ear-cleaning solution – a dog breeder or veterinarian may recommend using a good brand. Nails should be trimmed often if not worn down naturally, as prolonged nails can cause dog discomfort and problems with walking and walking.
Like many other wounds, English foxheads usually have an independent nature and can be stubborn. Training involves consistency, patience and an understanding of aromatic nature. They respond well to calm, loving, but firm leadership and are able to be willing and obedient once the pack order is established. As pack hounds, they love the companionship of other dogs and people, so they do well in families with other dogs and children. Early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended and help ensure that the English Foxhound grows into a well-adjusted, well-run companion.
The English Foxhound is an easy dog, but it requires a lot of daily exercise and outdoor activity. The breed is a good one for an active family with plenty in it. English foxheads are not recommended to live in the city or apartments, as their space will be very limited. They are high-energy dogs, but with a fair amount of exercise, they are gentle, social and relaxed indoors. Since they are restricted to walking for miles, they can make good walking and running companions. Long, brisk walks daily are important for this breed. As an odor wound, they want to escape and detect an interesting odor, so it is important to keep the dog on the leash until it is in a securely enclosed area. The breed can participate in obedience, tracking, agility, ability testing, rally and other canine sports and activities.
The English Foxhound should be given a high quality dog food suitable for the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior) and activity level. Know which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. If you have any questions or concerns about your dog’s weight or diet, check with your vet or dog breeder. Clean, fresh water should always be available.
English foxheads are generally healthy dogs. There are many health considerations that owners should be aware of; Large and deep-breasted breeds are susceptible to gastric dilatation-volvulus, or bloat, sudden, life-threatening abdominal conditions. English foxhound owners should learn what signs to look for and what action they should take. Low hanging ears such as foxhounds may be at risk of infection, so ears should be checked regularly. Teeth often need to be brushed, using toothpaste designed for dogs. Regular visits to the vet for checkups and parasite control help the dog ensure a longer, healthier life.