Foxhound

The foxhound originated in England before 1800. A fox is a small animal which likes to raid chicken coops, and to worry sheep on the farms. Farmers used dogs to hunt for fox and either the dog, or the hunter would kill it. Fox fur was used to trim coats, and to make fur stoles to keep the ladies' necks warm. So a dog that was able to hunt fox was developed. The dogs hunted in packs, the hunters following on foot. Fox hounds are scent hounds, meaning they follow their noses, rather than their eyes. They can detect the scent of an animal and follow it over long distances.

Foxhounds were exported to USA in the 1800's. The American foxhound is a little taller and slimmer than the English fox hound.

Fox hunting is still carried on in some countries as a sport. Packs of beagles and other hunting dogs go out with horsemen. 

Hounds can be difficult to "domesticate" as they like to be running around the country chasing a fox (real or imaginary). They enjoy long walks where they can sniff at scents. Being pack animals, they should get along with other pets.

Neck: 10" from cranium to shoulder, tapering from shoulders to head.

Tail: carried aloft, but must not curl over back. White tip with hairbrush under the tip.

Legs: straight.

Color: black, tan & white, yellow, or tan, in any combination.

Coat: short, dense, hard, shiny.

Group: hound

Size: 24" at the shoulder

Other scenthounds: bloodhound, harrier, beagle, basset hound

How breeds developed