How to Groom an English Foxhound

The English Foxhound is a stately, handsome and sleek breed. They resemble the American Foxhound, but have much larger bones. They are scent hounds, possessing the ability to hunt game with this sense alone. They have short-haired coats which are usually a mixture of black, white and tan. Their coats need a full grooming every 12 weeks and a general grooming once a month.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mild shampoo
• Natural bristle brush
• Tissue

1. Bathe only when necessary, using a mild shampoo. Bathing your English Foxhound too often dries out his already coarse coat.

2. Brush out the coat with a natural bristle brush to get rid of dead hair on the body. This dog does not need any sort of styling to look its best. The natural way the coat lies flat against the body is the way it should be. They shed an average amount of hair.

3. Clean out your dog's ears on a regular basis using a piece of tissue. Put the tissue over your finger and gently move it around to get rid of wax and anything else which might have built up in the ear canals. This English Foxhound's long, droopy ears can trap moisture and foreign objects which can cause infections.

Tips & Warnings

• Breeders developed the English Foxhound in the 1500s during the reign of King Henry VIII, as the deer population in England was dwindling. The king decided that the fox would be the new prey of choice while the deer community revived itself. English Foxhounds are a mix of the Greyhound, the Bulldog and the Fox Terrier.
• English Foxhounds generally live under 10 years.
• Don't keep this breed in an apartment. They are far too energetic to handle that enclosed environment. They also need a yard in which they can exert themselves often and where they can stimulate their sense of smell.