

The English Foxhound is an athletic, extremely high-stamina pack hound—bred to follow a fox trail for hours in large groups, with his nose and urge to run dictating his entire life.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the English Foxhound fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
10–13 yrs
Shoulder height
58–64 cm
Weight
25–34 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a English Foxhound, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the English Foxhound — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
An English Foxhound is not a cozy family dog that waits for you on the sofa—he is a marathon runner who lives for the thrill of the hunt in a pack. If you don't provide him with a surrogate pack and a real job for his legs and nose, he will find both for himself. You are getting an extremely friendly but completely self-sufficient specialist who will always find the great outdoors more fascinating than your commands.
The English Foxhound is a dog of remarkable beauty and noble demeanor. With his muscular body and long, straight legs, he is an impressive sight. Its head is long and slightly domed, with large, dark eyes that radiate a friendly and intelligent nature. The ears are medium-sized and lie close to the head. The tail is carried cheerfully, but never over the back. The English Foxhound belongs to FCI Group 6, the scent hounds, bloodhounds and related breeds. He is a classic pack dog and was originally used for fox hunting. There is no distinction between performance and show lines in this breed. The English Foxhound is still valued primarily for its working qualities, although it can also be found at dog shows.
The English Foxhound is an extremely energetic dog with a friendly and outgoing nature. Its origins as a pack dog make it a very social creature that enjoys the company of people and other dogs. But don't be fooled - although he can be very loving and affectionate, he also has an independent streak and needs an owner who will set clear boundaries for him. As a hunting dog, the English Foxhound has a strong hunting instinct and can be easily distracted by smells and movements. It is important to note that his hunting instinct is strong and he may not always listen well when following a scent. When it comes to his activity levels, the English Foxhound is definitely on the hyperactive side. He needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. He loves taking long walks, running and playing, and he is also a great companion for joggers or cyclists. You may be wondering whether the English Foxhound can stay alone well. Well, he can learn it, but it's not his preferred option. He loves company and can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time. It's important that he learns from an early age that it's okay to be alone and helps him relax in such situations. The English Foxhound is an alert dog and will alert you if someone enters the house. But he is not a typical guard dog and is not prone to being aggressive. He is more likely to respond friendly to visitors, especially if he has been properly socialized. All in all, the English Foxhound is a wonderful dog for active people who have the time and energy to challenge them physically and mentally. He is not necessarily suitable for beginners or people looking for a calm, easy-care dog. However, if you are ready to take on the challenges and plunge into the world of English Foxhounds, you will be rewarded with a loyal, loving and incredibly entertaining companion.
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the English Foxhound is one of the few dog breeds that can actually be kept in packs by the American Kennel Club? This means breeders can keep and show multiple dogs together in a group!
The English Foxhound is a pure hunting dog and should therefore also be used for hunting purposes.
The English Foxhound is not necessarily suitable as a city dog as it needs a lot of exercise and space to run. A house with a large, fenced yard would be ideal for him. He gets along well with children and can be a great family dog if properly socialized. However, small children should always be supervised as the English Foxhound could accidentally knock over a small child due to its size and energy. He can also get along with cats and other pets if he is introduced to them from an early age.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Can manage in the city, but only with very active owners.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
The English Foxhound presents some challenges due to its disposition as a hunting dog. He is intelligent, but his hunting instincts can make training difficult. It's important to start training early and stay consistent. The English Foxhound requires a lot of physical and mental activity. It is well suited for dog sports such as mantrailing or agility. However, it is important to be careful not to "over-busy" the dog, as this can lead to stress. Because of its high energy, the English Foxhound can also become a "ball junkie," so it is advisable to offer a variety of activities and not just ball games. Learning frustration tolerance and impulse control is particularly important for this breed as they tend to be impulsive, especially when it comes to movement and smells.
The English Foxhound needs a balanced diet to maintain its energy and health. Since he is an active dog, his food should contain high-quality proteins and fats. It is also advisable to limit the amount of carbohydrates to maintain a healthy weight. The diet should be tailored to the dog's age, activity level and health. In terms of grooming, the English Foxhound has short, dense fur with no undercoat. The coat is quite easy to care for, but still requires regular brushing to remove dead hair and keep the coat clean. The English Foxhound sheds moderately and copes well with Germany's climate, although it may require a coat in extremely cold temperatures.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Hair everywhere, always — no white clothing survives. | Very heavy |
| Trainability Willing to learn with clear rules and regular training. | Balanced |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Robust
Health grade
As a classic working dog, the English Foxhound is genetically extremely robust and has hardly any known hereditary diseases. Only the rare but severe Foxhound ataxia (a neurological disorder) should be ruled out through genetic testing of the parent animals. As with almost all large breeds, attention should also be paid to hip dysplasia (HD), but overall the breed is in outstanding health.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
You should ensure he is raised in a way that protects his joints and maintain a healthy weight, as well as have any early changes in his gait, vision, or hearing checked by a veterinarian promptly.
Reputable breeders have the parents' hips, elbows, eyes, and hearing tested and use genetic screening to reduce the risk of neurological conditions in the bloodline.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
We sort tests into three tiers — from the core standard to a fully exemplary program.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A English Foxhound costs around ~€190 per month (€100 – €360, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,080 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (11.5 years) it comes to about ~€28,650.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€190 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€190
In the first year
~€5,080
Across the dog's life
~€28,650
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
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Illustrative imageThe English Foxhound has a long and well-documented history in Great Britain, closely linked to the development of traditional fox hunting. In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, deer hunting declined in importance, and the red fox became the focus of the British hunting community. This fast-paced and demanding style of hunting required a dog with immense stamina, speed, and an excellent sense of smell. To meet these requirements, breeders selectively crossed older, heavier hounds like the Staghound with sighthound-type breeds such as the Greyhound. This gave the English Foxhound its characteristic combination of persistent tracking ability and rapid pace. The studbook records for this breed are historically remarkably precise: the British Master of Foxhounds Association (MFHA) has maintained complete records of pack hound lineages since the late 18th century. Although the English Foxhound was officially recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1954, it is still kept almost exclusively in large packs for hunting purposes today. Due to its extreme need for exercise and strong pack orientation, it remains an absolute exception as a pure family or companion dog in private hands.
The English Foxhound was bred for hunting foxes in large packs, renowned for its stamina and speed.
Great Britain
1500
Many owners and rescue organizations stress the English Foxhound's very gentle, easygoing nature. Thanks to centuries of selection as a pack hound, it generally gets along excellently with other dogs. With the family, it is also often described as friendly, patient and cuddly, provided its basic needs are met. It usually meets strangers with openness or indifference and shows no guarding or protective instinct.
At the same time, owner reports point to considerable hurdles in ordinary home life. As a pack hound, the Foxhound finds being alone very hard; without canine company or with too little to do, many develop separation stress that shows up as persistent, loud howling or baying. The breed is therefore poorly suited to apartment living or close-quarters neighborhoods. Owners also advise caution with smaller pets such as cats, since the dog can easily see them as prey.
Sources:reddit.compurina.deeifelmeute.dediehundezeitung.comzooroyal.at
Owner reports on handling and training agree that the English Foxhound is not a dog with a strong "will to please." Its work as an independent trailing hound still shapes its behavior today: once it has an interesting scent in its nose, it often tunes out everything around it, including its person's calls. People who know the breed consider reliable off-leash time in game-rich terrain a rare exception that takes years of long-line and impulse-control training.
Owners report that pressure or harshness completely backfire with these sensitive dogs and lead to stubbornness or insecurity. Handling works best with calm consistency, positive reinforcement and controlled alternative outlets such as mantrailing or drag tracks to channel the dog's innate drive. Even so, walks generally remain a management task that calls for a high level of vigilance and experience.
Sources:diehundezeitung.comzooplus.dejagdreitenmitstil.dedogorama.appdogforum.de
On energy level, owners repeatedly highlight the Foxhound's great, seemingly inexhaustible stamina. Ordinary walks on a short leash are nowhere near enough; these dogs thrive above all when running at a steady pace over long distances, for example alongside a bike, in canicross or on long hikes. A securely fenced yard is often described as a must so the dog can sprint safely.
Health-wise, owners and breed experts value the English Foxhound as a very robust and weatherproof working breed overall. The short coat is easy to care for but needs regular checks for ticks and injuries after outings through thick brush. The main breed-typical veterinary concerns remain checking the drop ears for infections and preventing joint problems (such as hip dysplasia) in dogs doing a lot of strenuous exercise.
Sources:purina.deeifelmeute.dezoomalia.deedogs.delaufhunderettung.de
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The English Foxhound is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a English Foxhound is 10-13 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
English Foxhound grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The English Foxhound can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The English Foxhound comes in these colors: Tricolor, Bicolor, Black and white, Brown and white, Red and white, Piebald, Black and tan, White, Roan, Spotted.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred English Foxhound.