The English Foxhound’s roots in Great Britain date back before 1800, with the English stud books published by the Masters of Foxhounds Association. The breeding of Foxhounds in England has always been in the hands of the master of the hounds, who kept the most careful records of their breeding operations. These hounds have always been used for foxhunting as followed in the English fashion of riding to hounds. There have been over 250 packs of hounds in Great Britain, all of which used English Hounds. In America we have over a hundred packs, of which not over ten percent use hounds which would be eligible for the English Foxhound Stud Book.
In America, the earliest entries in the English Foxhound Stud Book of America date back to 1890, but there are records which would indicate that there were many earlier importations. Certainly the blood of the Genesee Valley pack must date at least twenty years before that time, records having been kept of it with fair accuracy ever since.
In appearance the English Hound is far stouter than his American cousin. Still used in foxhunting, the English Foxhound is a versatile dog that can be trained to hunt almost any ground game. His stamina, good nose and determination make him a prized companion in the field.
- The first AKC registered English Foxhound was named “Auditor.” Auditor was registered in 1909.
- The English Foxhound standard contains rules applying to both the Hunt and to Conformation.
- In England, as in America, these hounds have always been used for foxhunting as followed in the English fashion of riding to hounds.
- In America, we have over a hundred packs of hounds, of which not over ten percent use hounds which would be eligible for the English Foxhound Stud Book, although the blood has been freely mixed with the American Foxhound.
- In appearance, the English Foxhound is far stouter than its American counterpart.
- English Foxhound pedigrees can be traced back in the English Foxhound Stud Book of America, published by the Masters of the Foxhounds Association of America.
<courtesy of www.akc.org>