English Foxhound

Feed your English Foxhound a high-quality dog food matched to its life stage and activity level. Commercial or home-prepared diets both work, though home-prepared food needs a veterinarian's supervision and approval. Keep clean, fresh water available at all times, and learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Watch the amount you feed. The portion guidance on the food bag is a useful starting point; from there, work with your veterinarian to tailor the amount to your own dog. If your dog gains weight, reduce portions or restrict calories. Your vet is a good source for feeding guidelines and for any weight or diet questions.

A few mealtime habits help lower the risk of bloat, which this breed can be prone to. Most English Foxhounds do well on two smaller meals, morning and evening, rather than one large one. A slow feeder bowl helps your dog eat more slowly, and it is best to avoid raised bowls and to skip exercise right before or after eating. Ask your veterinarian whether your dog is a candidate for a gastropexy, a procedure that attaches the stomach to the abdominal wall to keep it from twisting.

A complete, balanced dog food should supply the nutrients your English Foxhound needs. Your vet may still suggest supplements for specific situations, such as joint supplements where hip dysplasia is a concern. Never give a supplement without your vet's guidance.

Like most working breeds, the English Foxhound needs little grooming. The short, dense double coat sheds a moderate amount and does not tend to mat. A weekly brushing with a soft-bristle brush or a hound glove removes dirt and loose hair and keeps shedding down.

An occasional bath with a gentle shampoo keeps odor in check. How often depends partly on lifestyle, such as how often your dog runs through mud or splashes in puddles, since frequent bathing can strip healthy oils from the skin. Your veterinarian can advise on the right schedule. If your dog loves roaming the countryside, check regularly for burrs, sticks, and other debris that can lodge in the coat, and check for ticks while keeping up with flea and tick prevention.

This breed's low-hanging ears make it prone to ear infections. Ask your veterinary team how and how often to clean your dog's ears and which products to use, and call your vet if you notice redness, odor, pain, itchiness, or head shaking. Watch for changes in vision as well.

Round out grooming with regular dental and nail care. Combine at-home teeth brushing with professional cleanings, and trim the nails often if they do not wear down on their own, since overly long nails cause discomfort and trouble moving.

The English Foxhound is easygoing but needs plenty of daily exercise and outdoor activity. The breed suits an active family with acreage; city and apartment life confines it too much. These are high-energy dogs, yet with enough exercise they settle into being social and relaxed indoors.

Bred to run for miles, English Foxhounds make good hiking and running companions, and daily long, brisk walks matter. As scent hounds, they may bolt after an interesting smell, so keep your dog on leash unless the area is securely enclosed. Otherwise they will chase squirrels, rabbits, neighborhood cats, and even small dogs. The breed also does well in obedience, tracking, agility, coursing ability tests, rally, and other dog sports.

English Foxhounds may bark loudly and frequently when bored, isolated, or under-exercised. Regular physical and mental activity helps manage this behavior.

An English Foxhound owner needs time for rigorous daily exercise, fenced land away from close neighbors, early socialization, lifelong positive-reinforcement training, close companionship, and veterinary care over a lifespan of 13 years or more.

Like many hounds, English Foxhounds are independent and can be stubborn, so training takes consistency, patience, and an understanding of the scent hound temperament. They respond well to calm, firm, loving leadership and become obedient once the pack order is set. They are fast learners when focused and motivated, but they need you to keep their attention.

As pack hounds, English Foxhounds love the company of other dogs and people, so they do well in families with other dogs and children. One caution holds: they enjoy other dogs as long as those dogs are not small enough to be mistaken for prey. They love people of all ages, but their size and stamina mean every interaction with small children should stay closely supervised to keep both dog and child safe.

Start socializing your puppy to new animals, people, environments, activities, and objects as soon as you bring them home. Early exposure helps your puppy feel comfortable in the new situations of later life, and your vet can suggest age-appropriate socialization ideas.

Begin training when you begin socialization. English Foxhounds respond to consistent, positive, reward-based training. Training also provides mental and physical exercise.