ENGLISH FOXHOUND - Dogs of the World

Dogs of the World - English Foxhound - Photo: Wikimedia

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All About Black and Tan Virginia FOXHOUNDS

Origins and History

The Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound is thought to have descended from hunting dogs introduced to America in 1650 by Robert Brooke. These hunting dogs were the ancestors of varieties of American hounds. George Washington received French Foxhounds as gifts from aristocracy in France and bred them with the Brooke hunting dogs to create this breed we see today. Later on, Irish Foxhounds were also bred with the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound to increase their stamina and speed.

American Foxhound: Photo: Wikimedia/Flickr

Who has a picture of a Virginian Foxhound for this Blog?

The Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound was cross bred with Bloodhounds in the 1700s, which created the breed of Black and Tan Coonhound that we know of today. In 1966 the state of Virginia chose the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound as the official breed to represent the state. This breed, along with other varieties of American Foxhounds, was created by the upper class during colonial times mainly for the purpose of fox hunting.

Physical Description

Their most distinctive feature is their coat which is black and tan with a white base, short haired and fairly coarse. They are large dogs, growing to a height of 21-25 inches and can weigh between 65 and 75 pounds. Their head is long, their ears are droopy and large and sit framing their face. The Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound's eyes are either hazel or brown and are fairly wide set, lending a friendly and intelligent look to their face.

Characteristics

These dogs are agreeable and loyal by nature. They need a fair amount of exercise to prevent boredom. Black and Tan Virginia Foxhounds are renowned for discovering ways to keep themselves amused and may grow to be destructive when cooped up for long periods of time. They require a lot of attention when training and need to be well socialized.

These dogs possess an excellent sense of smell and are quicker than other hounds when chasing game. They are usually not at their best living in an apartment because they need plenty of exercises and in its absence are likely to put on weight easily. Aside from the need for exercise, they tend to be reasonably healthy and not stricken by genetic disorders involving the hip and bones. Their average life expectancy is about 10-12 years.

Descendants of the Original Breed

Today, there are many variations of American foxhounds such as Goodman, July, Trigg, Walker, and Penn-Marydel. They are all descended from the same originating breed but there are variations in appearance. Penn-Marydels are often used as pack hounds to hunt foxes, Walkers are mostly found in shows, and of course, there is the Black and Tan Coonhound, a descendant of the original Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound.

While the Black and Tan Virginia Foxhound is similar to their English equivalent, the English Foxhounds, the American version has been bred to be lighter, taller and agiler.

By Kate Strong Article Source: EzineArticles

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Fact Sheet: The FOXHOUND Dog

English Foxhound - CC Wikimedia

Foxhounds were the very first of the canine races in Great Britain  to come under the domination of scientific breeding. There had been  hounds of more ancient origin, such as the Southern  Hound and the Bloodhound; but something different was wanted towards the end of the seventeenth century to hunt the wild deer that had become somewhat scattered after Cromwell's civil war. The demand was consequently for a quicker hound than those hitherto known, and people devoted to the chase began to breed it. 

Head:-

Somewhat broad, not peaked like the Bloodhound, but long from the apex to the frontal bones, eyebrows very prominent, cheeks cut clean from the eye to the nostril, ears set low and in their natural condition thin and shapely, but not large, nose large, jaw strong and level, and small dewlaps, expression fierce, and with the best often repellent.  

Eyes:-

Very bright and deeply set, full of determination, and with a  very steady expression. The look of the Foxhound is very remarkable.  

Neck Should be perfectly clean, no skin ruffle whatever. The length of neck is of importance, both for stooping and giving an air of majesty. 

Shoulders:-

The blades should be well into the back, and should slant, otherwise be wide and strong, to meet the arms, that should be long and powerful.  

Legs and feet:-

The bone should be perfectly straight from the arm downward, and descend in the same degree of size to the ankles. The knee should be almost flat and level; there should be no curve until coming to the toes, which should be very strong, round, cat-shaped, and every toe clean set as it were.  

Coat:-

The coat is hard hair, but short and smooth, the texture is as stiff as bristles, but beautifully laid.  

Colour:-

Belvoir tan, which is brown and black, perfectly intermixed, with white markings of various shapes and sizes. The white should be very opaque and clear. Black and white, with tan markings on head and stifles. Badger pied a kind of grey and white. Lemon pied, light yellow and white. Hare pied, a darker yellow and white.  

Height: Dogs from 23-1/2 to 24 inches; bitches from 22 to 22-1/2 inches.

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