These long-legged friends are known for their great enthusiasm and bravery! They have huge amounts of energy and can run for miles and miles. Typically, they are not kept as family pets, mainly due to the fact they're not bred to live within a home environment, however, once they reach retirement age, many are re-homed as family pets. Even in their golden years, these guys have extremely high energy and must have owners who know how to handle the breed. Training can take a while with these guys as they are not the most obedient and normally only respond to commands given by the Master of the Hounds or whippers-in. They also have a very high prey drive, which must be taken into consideration for any potential owner, especially if you have other animals in the house!

These dogs were originally bred in the UK centuries ago and were well-known for their fantastic hunting abilities and stamina in the field. It's thought they first came about in the 16th century but the origins of the breed are unfortunately unknown. It is thought, however, that they came about as a result of crossing Greyhounds, Fox Terriers and Bulldogs. By the 17th century, they were well-known across most of the UK! Selective breeding eventually led to the production of a dog that was fantastic in terms of strength, stamina and physical appearance. In particular, they are thought to be one of the healthiest breeds ever! So it's not surprising that by the 19th century, over 140 packs had been registered in the UK! Although a ban on hunting saw a decline in the Foxhounds, breed enthusiasts made sure that they continued to thrive on, and they were eventually recognised by the Kennel Club, now making lovely family pets.