English Foxhound: The Rare Hound Worth Waiting For

If you’ve never seen an English Foxhound in person, you’re not alone. This breed consistently ranks as one of the rarest in the world — dead last on the AKC’s popularity list most years. And honestly? That’s part of the appeal.

The English Foxhound is a powerhouse of stamina, loyalty and good nature wrapped in a short, gleaming coat. Built to run for hours across rolling countryside, these dogs were bred for the hunt — but they’ve quietly become some of the most devoted family companions you’ll find, if you can actually find one.

In Australia, English Foxhounds are even rarer than they are overseas. There are only a handful of dedicated breeders across the entire country, and waiting lists can stretch for months. But for the right owner — someone with space, patience and an active lifestyle — this breed is absolutely worth the wait.

This guide covers everything you need to know before committing: temperament truths, real AUD costs, health conditions to watch for, and honest advice on whether this breed suits your life. No sugar-coating, no filler.

What You’ll Learn

• Breed traits & temperament
• Health concerns to know
• True cost in Australia
• Training & exercise needs
• Is this breed right for you?

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Quick Facts

Trait	Detail
Breed Group	Hound (Scent Hound)
Height	58–64 cm (males); 53–61 cm (females)
Weight	27–34 kg (60–75 lbs)
Lifespan	10–13 years
Coat	Short, dense, hard and glossy
Colours	Black, tan and white (tri-colour); lemon and white; hare pied
Temperament	Gentle, sociable, independent, loyal
Exercise Needs	Very high — minimum 2 hours daily
Shedding	Moderate, year-round
Barking Level	High — known for baying and howling
Good With Kids	Yes — gentle and patient with supervision
Good With Other Dogs	Excellent — bred as a pack hound
Apartment Friendly	No — needs space and a yard
Average Puppy Price (AUD)	$800–$2,500 from a registered breeder

History & Origins

The English Foxhound’s roots trace back to 16th-century England. When Henry VIII shifted the sporting focus from deer to fox hunting, breeders needed a dog that combined speed, scenting ability and endurance. They crossed Greyhounds (for pace), Fox Terriers (for prey drive) and Bulldogs (for tenacity) with existing staghounds to create what we now know as the English Foxhound.

By the 1700s, the breed was firmly established among Britain’s aristocracy. The Masters of Foxhounds Association began keeping detailed breeding records around 1800 — making the English Foxhound one of the most meticulously documented breeds in canine history. These studbooks remain the gold standard for pedigree tracking.

Notable historical owners include George Washington and Thomas, Lord Fairfax of Virginia, both of whom kept English Foxhound packs. Washington himself played a key role in developing the American Foxhound by crossing English Foxhounds with French hounds gifted by the Marquis de Lafayette.

In Australia, the breed arrived through working hunt packs and has since established a small but passionate show and companion community. Breeders like Foxhunt Kennels have been producing champion English Foxhounds for over 27 years, and the breed has a loyal following at events like the Melbourne Royal and Adelaide Royal shows.

The AKC officially recognised the English Foxhound in 1909, and the breed is also recognised by the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) under the Hound Group.

Temperament & Personality

If you’re expecting a couch potato, look elsewhere. The English Foxhound temperament is driven, social and remarkably gentle — but also independent and occasionally stubborn. These dogs were bred to think for themselves on the hunt, and that independence shows up in everyday life.

At home, English Foxhounds are affectionate and surprisingly mellow once they’ve had enough exercise. They bond deeply with their families and genuinely enjoy being around people. They’re not velcro dogs that follow you room to room, but they want to be part of the action.

Their pack heritage means they thrive with other dogs. A solo English Foxhound can become bored and destructive. If you already have dogs at home, this breed will likely slot right in. They’re also good with children — gentle and tolerant — though their size and energy mean supervision is wise with toddlers.

The honest truth about the English Foxhound temperament: they bay. Loudly. Their deep, resonant howl can carry for kilometres. If you live on acreage this is charming. If you live in a townhouse with thin walls, it’s a problem. Neighbours will notice.

They can also be reserved with strangers — not aggressive, but watchful. With proper socialisation from puppyhood, this tendency softens into a confident, friendly alertness that makes them decent watchdogs, even if they’re not natural guard dogs.

One thing to be aware of: their prey drive is strong. English Foxhounds were literally built to chase. Cats, rabbits and small animals can trigger that instinct, so introductions need to be careful and supervised. Off-lead recall is notoriously difficult with this breed — once they catch a scent, your voice becomes background noise.

Health & Genetic Conditions

One of the best things about the English Foxhound is that they’re genuinely healthy. Centuries of selective breeding for working ability — not appearance — has given this breed a solid genetic foundation. But no breed is bulletproof, and there are a few conditions worth knowing about.

Condition	Risk Level	Estimated Treatment Cost (AUD)	Notes
Hip Dysplasia	Moderate	$3,000–$8,000 (surgery)	More common in larger specimens. Request hip scores from breeders.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (Bloat/GDV)	Moderate	$3,000–$10,000 (emergency surgery)	Life-threatening. Common in deep-chested breeds. Know the signs: restlessness, dry heaving, swollen belly.
Renal Disease (Chronic Kidney Failure)	Low–Moderate	$2,000–$6,000+/year (management)	Some bloodlines carry a genetic predisposition. Usually appears after age 10.
Pelger-Huët Anomaly	Low	Varies	A rare blood disorder. Carriers appear healthy but should not be bred together.
Ear Infections	Moderate	$150–$500 per episode	Floppy ears trap moisture. Check and clean ears weekly.
Elbow Dysplasia	Low	$2,000–$6,000 (surgery)	Less common than hip dysplasia but worth screening for.

The single most important thing you can do is buy from a breeder who health-tests their breeding stock. At minimum, ask for hip and elbow scores. A good breeder will be happy to share these — and suspicious if you don’t ask.

Pet insurance is worth serious consideration for this breed. A comprehensive policy in Australia typically runs $80–$150/month for a large breed, but a single bloat emergency can cost $10,000+. That maths speaks for itself.

Lifespan & Longevity

English Foxhounds have a lifespan of 10–13 years, which is solid for a dog of this size. Their working heritage has kept the breed relatively free from the exaggerated features that shorten life in some other breeds.

Life Stage	Age Range	Key Considerations
Puppy	0–12 months	Socialisation is critical. Begin training early. Avoid over-exercising growing joints.
Adolescent	1–2 years	Energy peaks. Stubbornness increases. Consistent training pays off here.
Adult	2–7 years	Prime years. Maintain high exercise levels and regular vet check-ups.
Senior	8–10 years	Slow down gradually. Monitor weight, joints and kidney function.
Geriatric	10+ years	Reduced exercise. Six-monthly vet visits. Watch for signs of renal disease.

To maximise your English Foxhound’s lifespan, focus on three things: keep them lean (obesity is a silent killer in this breed), maintain regular exercise appropriate to their age, and stay on top of veterinary check-ups — especially kidney function blood panels from age 7 onwards.

Grooming & Care

If low-maintenance grooming is on your wish list, the English Foxhound delivers. Their short, dense coat is practically self-cleaning and doesn’t mat or tangle.

Grooming Schedule

Grooming Task	Frequency	Product/Tool	Estimated Cost (AUD)
Brushing	Weekly	Hound mitt or bristle brush	$15–$30
Bathing	Every 6–8 weeks or when dirty	Gentle dog shampoo	$15–$25
Ear Cleaning	Weekly	Veterinary ear cleaner (e.g., Epi-Otic)	$20–$35
Nail Trimming	Every 2–3 weeks	Guillotine or grinder-style clipper	$15–$40
Teeth Brushing	2–3 times per week	Enzymatic dog toothpaste	$10–$20
Professional Dental Clean	Annually	Veterinary clinic	$300–$800

The ears are the number one grooming priority. English Foxhounds have floppy, low-set ears that trap warmth and moisture — a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast. Get into the habit of checking and cleaning them weekly, and dry them thoroughly after swimming or baths.

Shedding is moderate and fairly consistent year-round. A weekly brush-down with a hound mitt keeps loose hair under control and spreads natural skin oils through the coat. You won’t need a professional groomer for this breed, which saves a decent amount over its lifetime.

Exercise Needs

This is not a breed for casual walkers. The English Foxhound was built to run for hours across the English countryside, and that stamina hasn’t faded. Plan for a minimum of two hours of vigorous exercise every day — and more is better.

Ideal activities include long runs, hiking, cycling alongside you, or free running in a large, securely fenced area. They also excel in organised canine sports like tracking, agility and lure coursing. Mental stimulation matters too: scent games, puzzle feeders and varied walking routes keep their active minds engaged.

Australian climate warning:

English Foxhounds can struggle in extreme heat. Their dense coat and high energy levels make them vulnerable to heatstroke during Australian summers. Exercise early in the morning or after sunset during hot months. Always provide fresh water and shade. If temperatures are above 30°C, keep sessions short and watch for signs of overheating: excessive panting, drooling, or lethargy.

An under-exercised English Foxhound is a destructive English Foxhound. Without adequate physical and mental outlets, they’ll create their own entertainment — and you probably won’t like it. Chewing, digging, howling and escape attempts are all common complaints from owners who underestimated this breed’s exercise requirements.

Training Guide

Training an English Foxhound requires patience. Lots of it. These dogs are intelligent — they understand what you’re asking — but they were bred to make independent decisions in the field, and that trait doesn’t switch off at home.

Socialisation & Training Timeline

Age	Training Focus	Honest Difficulty
8–16 weeks	Socialisation, basic commands (sit, stay, come), crate training	Moderate — they’re curious and food-motivated at this age
4–6 months	Leash manners, recall foundations, household rules	Moderate–Hard — stubbornness starts to appear
6–12 months	Recall reinforcement, impulse control, scent distractions	Hard — adolescent independence peaks
1–2 years	Advanced obedience, off-lead reliability (if possible), canine sports	Hard — consistency is everything
2+ years	Maintenance training, trick training, ongoing socialisation	Moderate — they settle but still need reminders

Recall is the single hardest command to teach this breed. Once an English Foxhound locks onto a scent, they are essentially deaf to your calls. Many experienced owners simply never trust their Foxhound off-lead in unfenced areas — and that’s a realistic, responsible approach.

Positive reinforcement works best. These dogs respond well to food rewards and praise but will shut down entirely with harsh corrections. Keep training sessions short (10–15 minutes), upbeat and varied. Repetition bores them.

Puppy socialisation classes are non-negotiable. Given their pack heritage, English Foxhounds who miss early socialisation can become overly reserved or anxious around unfamiliar people and environments.

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Cost of Ownership (AUD)

Expense	Estimated Annual Cost (AUD)	Notes
Puppy Purchase Price	$800–$2,500 (one-off)	From a registered breeder. Show-quality pups at the higher end.
Food (premium large-breed)	$1,200–$1,800/year	3.5–4 cups of quality dry food daily. Avoid grain-based fillers.
Vet Check-ups & Vaccinations	$400–$700/year	Annual wellness exam plus boosters. More frequent for seniors.
Pet Insurance	$960–$1,800/year	Highly recommended for large, deep-chested breeds.
Flea, Tick & Worming	$250–$400/year	Monthly preventatives. Essential in Australian climates.
Grooming	$50–$150/year	Minimal — mostly DIY with a hound mitt and ear cleaner.
Training	$300–$800 (first year)	Puppy classes plus ongoing obedience. Budget more for a hound.
Fencing & Property	$1,000–$5,000+ (one-off)	Secure, high fencing is essential. These dogs can jump and dig.
Toys & Enrichment	$100–$300/year	Puzzle feeders, chew toys, scent games.

First-year total estimate: $5,000–$12,000+ AUD

(including purchase price, setup costs and initial vet work).

Annual ongoing cost: $3,000–$5,500 AUD

(food, insurance, vet, preventatives and miscellaneous).

Adoption is another option, though rare for this breed. Rescue organisations that specialise in hounds occasionally have English Foxhound mixes available, typically for $300–$600 including desexing, vaccinations and microchipping.

For breeder enquiries in Australia, start with DogzOnline (dogzonline.com.au) or contact the relevant state canine council for a list of registered English Foxhound breeders.

Is the English Foxhound Right for You?

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• The English Foxhound is one of the healthiest, most good-natured large breeds you’ll find — but they’re not a casual pet. They need space, exercise and a patient owner who respects their independent streak.
• In Australia, finding a reputable breeder takes time and planning. Expect waiting lists. This is a breed you commit to well before a puppy arrives.
• For the right home — active, experienced, rural or semi-rural — the English Foxhound is a loyal, joyful companion that’ll keep you moving for the next decade-plus.

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Frequently Asked Questions