FCI Standard No. 159/ 03.06.2009 / GB
English Foxhound

ORIGIN : Great Britain.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.03.2009.

UTILIZATION : Packhound for mounted hunt.

CLASSIFICATION F.C.I. : Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds. Section 1.1 Large-sized Scent hounds. With working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY

The English Foxhound has been bred along careful lines for over two hundred years, the stud books published by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of England dating back before 1800; it is an easy matter for any owner of an English Foxhound to trace the pedigree back. The breeding of Foxhounds in England has always been and is still today in hands of the masters of Foxhounds, who kept the most careful records of their breeding operations. Lately, the English Kennel Club has published an interim standard for the Foxhound. The F.C.I has recognized the breed in 1964. There have been over two hundred and fifty packs of Foxhounds in Great Britain.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

Well balanced, powerful and clean cut.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT

Stamina and endurance, natural ability to hunt. Friendly and not aggressive.

HEAD

Well balanced.

CRANIAL REGION

Skull : Flat, of medium width.
Stop : Slight.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Large nostrils.
Muzzle : Long and square. Moderately developed flews.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Eyes : Medium size, hazel or brown. Keen expression.
Leathers : Leathers pendant, carried close to the head, high set.

NECK

Long, slightly arched, well developed without being coarse.

BODY

Back : Broad and level.
Loin : With a slight rise over strong loins.
Chest : Deep, ribs well sprung.

TAIL

Well set on high. Carried gaily but never curled over back.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS : Forelegs long, straight and well boned down to feet.
Shoulders : Well laid back, muscular without being loaded.
Metacarpus (Pasterns) : Strong.

HINDQUARTERS : Powerful and muscular. Well boned down to feet.
Stifles: Moderate turn.
Hocks: Well let down.

FEET : Round, tight and strong. Well padded. Nails strong.

GAIT / MOVEMENT

Free striding, tireless with the ability to gallop. Good drive behind with no indication to roll.

COAT

HAIR : : Short and dense. Weatherproof.

COLOR : Any recognized hound colour and markings.

SIZE

Height at withers approx. 58-64 cm

FAULTS

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.