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English Foxhound History
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The Master of Foxhounds Association has kept pedigrees of English Foxhounds since the 18th century, making the English Foxhound the longest pedigreed breed. The exact origins of the dog are unknown, but historical accounts of fox hunts dating to the 11th century describe dogs similar to the English Foxhound. By 1750, the sport of foxhunting on horseback began to develop in earnest, and for this a dog with a keen sense of smell and the stamina to keep up with horses for hours was needed. The Master of Foxhounds was responsible for perfecting and maintaining the English Foxhound, ensuring that the dog was not only physically robust but also aesthetically pleasing. By the end of the 19th century about 150 foxhound packs, each with around 50 dogs, were registered in England.
The English Foxhound was introduced to North America during the 18th century, where it was developed into the lighter and longer-legged American Foxhound. Since that time, the English Foxhound has become exceedingly rare in the United States, and has never matched the popularity of the American Foxhound. The English Foxhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1909.
