ENGLISH FOXHOUND
Scenthound Group
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard

Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc. .................................................View Registration Requirements

History

The English Foxhound was developed in Great Britain in the 13th century expressly for the purpose of trailing the red fox. Breeds which were used in this process include the St. Hubert/Bloodhound types, with crosses made to swifter, lighter hounds, which may have included the Greyhound.

The English Foxhound was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1905.

The symmetry of the English Foxhound is of greatest importance, and what is known as "quality" is highly regarded by all good Judges.

The full size head is not heavy. The pronounced brow is not high or sharp. The head is of sufficient length and breadth to give a male hound a girth, measured in front of the ears, of fully 16 inches.

TEETH - A full complement of strong, white teeth meet squarely.

Disqualifications: Undershot or overshot bite.

NOSE - The wide nose is long, 4½ inches. Nostrils are open.

EARS - The low-set ears lie close to the cheeks. It has been tradition to "round" the ears, which is the taking off of about 1½ inches off the end of the ear. This is not mandatory.

The long, clean neck measures not less than 10 inches from the cranium to the shoulder. It tapers nicely from shoulders to head, the upper outline being slightly convex.

The long, well-sloped shoulders are well clothed with muscle, especially at the points, without being heavy.

FORELEGS - The upper arm is long and muscular, but free from fat or lumber. The well-let-down elbows are set quite straight, and turn neither in nor out.

Forelegs are as straight and as strong as a post. The desire for straightness had a tendency to produce knuckling over, which has been eliminated in modern English Foxhounds due to careful breeding. Bone cannot be too large.

Both back and loin are very muscular, running into each other without any contraction between them. The coupling (the junction of the chest to the hindquarters) is wide, even to raggedness. The backline is absolutely level. In a 24-inch hound, the chest should have a measurement of over 31 inches. The back ribs are very deep.

The hindquarters are very strong, endurance being of even greater consequence than speed.

HIND LEGS - The size of the bone at the ankle (rear pastern) is especially regarded as all important. Straight stifles are preferred to over-bent stifles. Bone cannot be too large.

Feet are round and catlike. Knuckles are well developed, with strong nails.

The well-set-on tail is carried gaily, but must never be curved over the back like a squirrel's tail. The end tapers to a point. There is a fringe of hair below the tail.

The short, dense, hard coat is glossy.

Any good hound color is acceptable. These include: black, tan, and white, or any combination of these; and the various "pies," compounded of white and the various colors of the hare and badger (or yellow), and tan.

Disqualification: Albinism.

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Undershot or overshot bite. Albinism.