English Foxhound

People usually start searching “English Foxhound” when they’re weighing up a high-energy hound for life at home: how big they get, whether they’re manageable off-lead, and what daily life looks like once the novelty wears off. With a breed built for hours of steady running and close pack work, the fit matters. A mismatch tends to show up as frustration, noise, and a dog that disappears the moment an interesting scent arrives.

Below are the essentials—size, temperament, exercise needs, grooming, and the health concerns worth watching—grounded in recognised breed standards and veterinary guidance, with plain checks you can use before you commit.

English Foxhound at a glance

• Height: approx. 58–64 cm at the shoulder¹
• Coat: short, dense, weatherproof¹
• Colour: any recognised hound colour and markings¹
• Temperament: friendly and not aggressive; typically social with other dogs^{1, 2}
• Exercise needs: often more than 2 hours per day for adults (varies by individual and age)³

What an English Foxhound is bred to do

The English Foxhound is a scent hound developed to run for long distances, in a pack, following a trail with steady determination. That history still sits under the skin: many English Foxhounds are happiest when they can move for a long time, use their nose, and spend time with other dogs.^{1, 4}

This is also why recall can be the make-or-break issue. When scent takes over, the world narrows. Training can improve reliability, but the instinct to follow a smell is not something you “train out”.^{3, 4}

Size, build, and appearance

English Foxhounds are tall, athletic hounds with a strong, balanced frame and plenty of leg. In the Australian breed standard, height is listed at about 58–64 cm (23–25 inches).¹

The coat is short and dense, designed for weather and hard ground rather than cuddly softness, and it tends to shed in a practical, year-round way.¹

Temperament: friendly, pack-oriented, easily bored

Well-bred English Foxhounds are generally described as friendly and not aggressive. They’re traditionally pack hounds, so many are naturally comfortable around other dogs and can be very social when appropriately introduced.^{1, 2}

At home, the usual pattern is simple: calm when their needs are met, unsettled when they aren’t. Without enough daily movement and sniffing time, a Foxhound may become noisy, restless, or determinedly destructive—less “naughty”, more under-stimulated in a body designed for endurance.^{3, 4}

Exercise and enrichment: what “enough” often looks like

These dogs were built for long, steady work. For many adults, a quick lap around the block won’t touch the sides. The UK Kennel Club’s breed guidance describes exercise needs as more than 2 hours per day.³

Useful outlets tend to be the quiet, practical ones:

• Long, varied walks where the dog can sniff and investigate (on lead if recall isn’t rock-solid).
• Scent games at home: scattered kibble in the grass, simple “find it” trails, food puzzles.
• Secure running space—fencing matters, because scent hounds can travel surprisingly far with little hesitation.^{3, 4}

Puppies and adolescents need a lighter touch: plenty of training and enrichment, with age-appropriate exercise that builds fitness without overloading growing joints.

Training: calm consistency, strong management

English Foxhounds can learn manners and routines well, but many are independent thinkers, and scent can override “please and thank you” obedience. Training tends to work best when it’s steady, reward-based, and built into everyday life—short sessions, frequent pay-offs, and clear boundaries.⁴

Two practical priorities:

• Recall and lead skills (including a long line) before you gamble on off-lead freedom.
• Early socialisation with people, dogs, vehicles, surfaces, and the calm routines of home life.

Health concerns to watch

No breed is “rarely” affected by health problems; they simply have patterns. For English Foxhounds, it’s sensible to keep an eye on joints, ears, and weight—especially in a dog that loves food and can be less self-regulating when exercise drops.

Hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis

Hip dysplasia is a developmental condition where the hip joint doesn’t form as it should, leading to joint laxity and, over time, degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis). It’s most common in larger dogs, and signs may include stiffness, reduced range of motion, and lameness that worsens after exercise.^{5, 6}

If you’re buying a puppy, ask what hip screening the parents have had (and what scheme was used). If you already have a dog, weight control and structured, joint-friendly exercise are the quiet levers that often make the biggest difference.⁵

Ear infections (otitis externa)

Dogs with pendant (floppy) ears can be more prone to ear infections because the ear canal environment can stay warm and moist. Head shaking, scratching, redness, odour, or discharge are common warning signs.^{1, 7}

Obesity

Extra weight doesn’t just change how a dog looks—it increases strain on joints and can worsen mobility problems over time. For an endurance hound, staying lean is part of staying comfortable.

Grooming and everyday care

The coat is straightforward: a weekly brush usually keeps shedding under control and helps you check for ticks, grass seeds, and small skin problems. Bathing is occasional, when the dog is truly dirty or starting to smell like yesterday’s adventure.³

Maintenance that’s easy to overlook:

• Ears: check weekly; act early if there’s smell, redness, or discharge.⁷
• Nails: trim as needed—active dogs still often need help, especially if they’re mostly on grass.
• Teeth: brushing is the gold standard for home care; consistency matters more than intensity. Look for products accepted by the Veterinary Oral Health Council if you’re using dental chews or rinses.⁸

Living with an English Foxhound in Australia

This is not a “small backyard and a short walk” dog. English Foxhounds generally suit households that can offer space, time outdoors, and a steady routine—often in quieter, more suburban or rural settings where long walks are easy to do well, not squeezed in at the end of the day.³

They can live happily as part of a family, but they do best when the adults are realistic about the work: daily exercise, scent-driven enrichment, and secure boundaries. In return, you typically get a sociable, even-tempered hound who settles nicely once their body and brain have had enough to do.^{1, 4}

Quick suitability check

• Good match if: you enjoy long daily walks, like training in small doses, and can provide secure fencing and calm structure.
• Think twice if: you need reliable off-lead recall in unfenced areas, you’re away for long hours most days, or noise would be a serious problem.

Final thoughts

The English Foxhound is a purpose-built animal: tall, hardy, social, and engineered for stamina. When their needs are met, their temperament is often gentle and companionable. When they’re under-walked or under-stimulated, they can feel like a dog with too much engine and nowhere to put it.^{1, 3, 4}

Are English Foxhounds good family dogs?
Many are friendly and social, and can do well with families, especially when they get enough daily exercise and supervision. Their size and energy mean they’re usually better with families who enjoy an active routine.^{1, 4}

How much exercise does an English Foxhound need?
Often more than 2 hours a day for adults, plus time to sniff and explore. Needs vary by age and individual dog.³

Do English Foxhounds shed a lot?
They have a short, dense coat and they do shed. Weekly brushing helps keep it manageable.^{1, 3}

Are they easy to train?
They can learn well, but scent drive and independence mean training works best with calm consistency, rewards, and good management—especially around recall and distractions.⁴

References

1. Dogs Australia (ANKC) – Foxhound (English Foxhound) breed standard
2. The Westminster Kennel Club – English Foxhound breed overview
3. The Kennel Club (UK) – Foxhound (breed characteristics)
4. United Kennel Club (UKC) – English Foxhound breed standard and history
5. Merck Veterinary Manual (Pet Owner Version) – Hip dysplasia in dogs
6. Merck Veterinary Manual (Professional Version) – Hip dysplasia in dogs
7. VCA Animal Hospitals – Ear infections in dogs (otitis externa)
8. Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) – Accepted products for dogs