THE FOXHOUND DOG Articles | Dogs

By: Guy Starbuck

It was initially the foxhounds that were the first of the dog breeds in the United Kingdom to be scientifically bred. Hounds of very old origin were there like the Bloodhound and the Southern Hound; but something unique was desired towards the latter half of the 17th century to stalk the wild deer, which had grown rather scarce following the Civil war of Cromwell. Accordingly, the requirement was for a faster hound than the ones so far identified, and people passionate about the hunt started to rear it.

Head:

Fairly broad, not pointed akin to the Bloodhounds, but extended from the peak to the anterior bones, extremely conspicuous eyebrows, cheeks sharply sculpted from its eye to its nostril, ears positioned somewhat low down and in their usual condition slender and well-formed, but not big, a great nose, a powerful and even jaw, and tiny dewlaps, with a ferocious look, and with the finest frequently vile.

Eyes:

Extremely brilliant eyes and deeply set, brimming with resolve, and with an awfully firm look. The Foxhound’s gaze is especially striking.

Neck:

It must have a clear-cut neck, without any skin creases. What is of significance is its neck size, both for bending down and lending a regal touch.

Shoulders:

The shoulder blades should be set far down its back, and should slope, or else be broad and strapping, to connect with the arms, that must be long and sturdy.

Legs and Feet:

Well, the bone must be completely vertical from the arm down, and move down in the matching size scale to the ankles. It should have nearly flat and even knees; it should not have any bend until arriving at the toes, which must be extremely sturdy, round, feline-shaped, and each toe distinctly set so to speak.

Coat:

It has a coat of strong hair, though short and silky, the touch is very bristly, but attractively set.

It has a Belvoir tan that is black and brown, seamlessly blended, with white indications of different sizes and shapes. The white must be very solid and sheer. The head and stifles have white and black with tan indications.

Color:

Badger pied that’s a form of white and gray. Lemon pied, that’s white and pale yellow. Hare pied, that’s white and deeper yellow.

Height:

Dogs reach a height of twenty-three and a half inches to twenty-four inches; bitches grow to a height of twenty-two to twenty-two-and-a-half inches.