English Foxhound characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Large | 32% of breeds |
| Energy level | Very High | — |
| Trainability | Low | 10% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Very High | 22% of breeds |
| Good with children | High | — |
| Grooming needs | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Shedding | Medium | 40% of breeds |
| Barking | High | 17% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Low | 24% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Low | 17% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 11 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the English Foxhound right for you?
The English Foxhound is a large and powerful breed that does best in a larger home with room to stretch out, ideally with access to a yard. In terms of temperament, it is very good with children and makes a dependable family dog and shows limited protectiveness and is friendly to callers. Day to day, the English Foxhound is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The English Foxhound is a canine athlete needing hard daily work and a purpose, or it turns restless. With very high energy and very high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the English Foxhound to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The English Foxhound needs minimal coat care, just a weekly once-over and loses a fair amount of coat, especially seasonally. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The English Foxhound needs a bit of persistence but comes along with consistency and is fairly vocal and will bark to alert you. It manages solitude comfortably, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the English Foxhound
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the English Foxhound genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Trainability: Low — the English Foxhound is less biddable than most breeds. Only 10% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Adaptability: Low — the English Foxhound is less adaptable than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Barking: High — the English Foxhound is more vocal than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a English Foxhound actually costs you
| Exercise | Two or more hours of real exercise a day, most days, plus something that occupies its mind. This is the single commitment that decides whether the match works. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Occasional brushing is enough. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | More vocal than most; worth factoring into flat living. |
Where the English Foxhound fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Poor fit | high barking combined with very high energy is the combination flats punish most. |
| Families with young children | Good fit | High child tolerance, and sociable with people generally. |
| First-time owners | Poor fit | The combination of drive, independence and training difficulty is a lot for a first dog. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Depends | No low-allergen coat recorded, though shedding is not extreme. |
Perfect for
- Traditional fox hunting
- Pack environments
- British hound enthusiasts
- Rural estates
Things to consider
- Very rare as pets
- Needs pack of dogs
- Strong prey drive
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the English Foxhound good with children?
- Yes — the English Foxhound is known for being very good with children and makes an excellent family dog.
- Does the English Foxhound shed a lot?
- The English Foxhound has medium shedding.
- How much exercise does the English Foxhound need?
- With very high energy, the English Foxhound needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the English Foxhound live?
- The English Foxhound typically lives around 11 years.
- Can the English Foxhound live in an apartment?
- The English Foxhound is a larger breed and does better in a home with more space, though it can adapt with enough daily exercise.
- Is the English Foxhound easy to train?
- The English Foxhound needs a bit of persistence but comes along with consistency. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the English Foxhound be left alone during the day?
- The English Foxhound manages solitude comfortably. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.