Everything about Foxhounds

Foxhound is one of the most popular breeds of large beagle dogs. Their unrivaled flair, ability to work in a flock is highly valued not only by avid hunters, but also by admirers of traditional ways of catching the beast. Bred in the UK, this hound fairly quickly secured the status of one of the best beaters of foxes and was exported overseas.

Today, the description of the English and American Foxhounds is often compared, assess the characteristics of the breeds and nature of dogs, therefore, the struggle for the championship still continues.

Fox Hound or foxhound is a breed of dog that formed in Britain in the XIV-XV centuries. In her selection, several types of greyhounds and hounds were used at once, but even the exact amount of the original blood can hardly be called. There is no reliable data in the sources, but there is information about the use of the Talbot, Greyhounds, Terriers and even Bulldogs.

The reason for the emergence of a new breed was the changed fashion for the methods of mining the beast. In England, fox hunting became popular and dogs were needed that could withstand the speed of a horse's gait for a long time and were ready to work in packs. By 1650, the dog's phenotype and working qualities were fully formed. The new hound was so popular that it was honored to be sent overseas to the USA. It was from these dogs that the American Foxhound population went.

It is known that the fox hound received its first genus book in 1786. But she had to wait for the official standard much longer. It was adopted in the XIX century with the onset of the era of exhibitions and sports. In them, Foxhounds also managed to establish themselves in the best possible way. It was here that a set of criteria was required by which it was possible to compare dogs to each other within the breed.

The number of Foxhounds reached its peak in the XIX century. Only in the UK there were 7,000 registered dogs. In Europe, these hounds were especially venerated in France; here they were kept at the court of Napoleon III. Club recognition Foxx took place in the XX century. First in 1905, it was officially approved by the UKC, and half a century later, in 1955, the FCI standard was developed. The number 159 assigned by the Fox Hound has not changed since.

English Foxhound - a serious dog for hunting in the pack. Its character over the centuries has been shaped by the working purpose of the animal. In the group, these hounds masterfully foxes and help to get a larger beast. These are intelligent and sensitive dogs with good attention and good eyesight. They are smart, well perceive the non-verbal signals of the owner, if necessary, are able to act independently.

Modern breeding lines divided the English Foxhounds into two large groups: companions and working dogs. Dogs that are not used in hunting have become more balanced and calm. They get along well with children, they treat their owners with care and delicacy. Fox hounds are not aggressive towards other dogs, may be kept in pack. To strangers are wary, signaling their presence loud barking.

The appearance of an English Foxhound dog, according to the standard, looks like this:

• height at withers - 58-64 cm, body weight - 27-34 kg;
• life expectancy is about 10-12 years;
• color lemon-pied, white with black spots in blush;
• coat short, tight to the body;
• the composition is powerful, strong, balanced, with no signs of damp bones;
• head with a developed skull, moderate foot, long square muzzle;
• nostrils clearly delineated, pigmentation black;
• the jaw system is strong, with large teeth, scissor bite;
• ears hanging, low-slung;
• eyes are proportional, let's say nutty, brown tint;
• the neck is well-defined, dry, with pronounced musculature;
• back straight, of considerable width, loin prominent;
• chest deep, expressive;
• the tail is high, saber, does not rise above the line of the back;
• limbs well developed, even, with a straight line.

The differences of American Foxhound breed dogs from their English progenitor are in a number of points. The first is the prevalence of the species. Fox hounds from the United States know mainly at home, including in the state of Virginia, of which they are a symbol. The principles of selection are also different. In the breeding of the American Foxhounds, Irish and French hounds, Kerry Bigley were used. Standard FCI as a separate breed she received in 1979.

The external comparison of Foxhounds from the USA and the UK allows us to note the following important differences:

• more sensitive scent that allows you to hunt hares, badgers;
• a wide range of height at withers from 52 to 64 cm with a mass of 32-34 kg;
• allowable folds on the face;
• a more powerful, developed head with a massive front;
• more aggressive in nature, a tendency to demonstrate protective qualities;
• increased life expectancy - up to 15-17 years;
• the overall elegance of the body and limbs (in comparison with the English type);
• typical color is tricolor, red or brown bicolor.

The organization of proper nutrition of the dog is of great importance, especially during intense physical exertion. The energy consumption of the animal is high, it requires an additional supply of nutrients, vitamins and minerals. When selecting ready-made feeds, it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that low-priced economy-class feeds are categorically inappropriate for pedigree beagles. They lead to a deterioration in the quality of wool, skin allergies, gastrointestinal disorders.

If the foxhound gets natural food, it should be prepared immediately before feeding, cooled to a comfortable temperature, do not supercool. The bulk of the diet should be the flesh of natural meat low-fat varieties - poultry, beef, veal. This approach will help to maintain optimum weight. Meat is pre-boiled, cut into pieces of medium size. The recommended serving volume per day should be about 300 g of the finished product.

In addition to protein foods, the animal needs carbohydrate intake. Their sources are cereals - oatmeal, rice, providing the necessary saturation. The presence of additives in the form of fresh or thermally processed vegetables and fruits is mandatory.They contain fiber, necessary for the proper flow of digestive processes. With the development of obesity in dogs, you should definitely consult with a veterinarian, he will recommend a dietary ration.

Features care of the Foxhound American and English type are reduced to the following procedures.

• Maintenance of coat. Short guard hair needs to be periodically brushed with a massage brush, at least 2 times a month. During the molting period, a special glove made of silicone or rubber is used to remove excess wool. These measures will allow to preserve the appearance of the animal aesthetic, with a shiny thick coat.
• Bathing. It is performed monthly, especially if the animal lives in the apartment. If it is exposed to rain or snow, it is enough to remove excess dirt with a wet wipe with a hypoallergenic composition. Mandatory regular wet processing of paws with drying pads after taking water treatments.
• Trimming claws. They need to be shortened regularly. This will prevent the ingrow of a claw into the skin, injury to the paw pads. In addition, too long keratinous plates can cause pain when moving.
• Cleaning the ears. This procedure is performed at least once a week using a special lotion and cotton pad. So their inner part is freed from dirt, dust, pathogens of inflammatory diseases.
• Vaccination and antiparasitic protection. They are held regularly. Dogs in the forest need both local treatment against parasites, as well as prophylactic wearing of protective collars, spraying. It is also important to regularly carry out deworming, protecting the pet from worms.

Fox hounds need space, freedom of movement. The optimal conditions of detention will be a dog in a country house or cottage with a large private yard or near fields and meadows. As a rule, breeders keep more than one individual, so dogs feel much more confident, they perform commands better. If the owner leads an active lifestyle, Foxhound will be for him an excellent companion on trips, walks, travels.

Foxhound of any type is a difficult dog, not suitable for inexperienced breeders. The cause of "behavioral problems" is the genetic desire to be part of the pack. With other dogs, these animals interact much better than with humans - hence the widespread opinion about the problematic nature of the breed. In fact, even a wayward fox hound can be adequately raised as a companion or hunter, a participant in sports.

The foundation of proper Foxhound training is laid at an early age. The dog needs a fairly solid education. It is necessary from the first days to show who is the leader in the house, to achieve respect for the owner. Freedom is not the best method to find mutual understanding.. With this innate hunter you should keep your distance, gently and firmly seeking unquestioning obedience.

Working Foxhounds should definitely take a special course.It consists in organizing trainings that allow weaning weaning to treat domestic poultry and livestock as prey. If this stage is not carried out in time, it will be impossible to correct the behavior of an adult animal. On a real hunt, a dog will show interest in any species of living creatures, and there will be little benefit from it in the field.

To learn how to train a foxhound, see the following video.