The English foxhound has a wonderful disposition that can be described in many different ways. They are friendly, lovable and very easy going. Although known for having a mind of their own, they are eager to please their owners, providing their owners are keeping their minds stimulated. If they are feeling bored, they won't want to be too cooperative.
They have tons of energy and are extremely social. They are sometimes leery of strangers and other times not. Their social nature doesn't allow them to be standoffish for too long. They don't mature quite as quickly as most breeds, so they are still going to have that playfulness you see in puppies at least until they reach two years of age. They will also have the stamina and energy of a puppy, which means they will require a lot of playtime and exercise. Training them sometimes requires a lot of patience and time because they can be very headstrong when they want to be.
Their temperament is so easy going that they usually love and get along great with other dogs. However if they are small animals, they want to chase them. This is not due to a bad temperament, but more from the high drive to seek prey which is bred into them. This is why it is very important to let them socialize with other animals. When they grow up with other animals around them, there usually is not a problem with them getting along.
They love children and love being around them and playing with them. They occasionally are too large and playful for small toddlers. Although they are very gentle with toddlers, they are so active that they might accidentally knock the children down and frighten them. However, they do love being around kids of all sizes and being petted and pampered by them. When the English foxhound grows up around children or the children grow up around them, there is usually a very strong bond making the dog very protective of and loyal to the children. Many parents enjoy this factor with this breed of dog.
The English foxhound is a very active hunter and is very passionate and serious about it. As much as they love their family, they are even happier when they are out hunting with other dogs. When hunting, they still have their pleasant and friendly disposition. They can hunt for a very long time and seem never to get tired. The English foxhound can be broken down into two categories, the field hound and the show hound. Many dog breeders recommend getting a show like English foxhound if the dog is meant for a pet because they are less active than the field line. If they are less active, then they will need less exercise than the field dog, who always wants to hunt or play.
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