Longevity
Life expectancy
Its life expectancy is generally between 10 and 13 years. Regular activity, a diet adjusted to the effort, maintaining a healthy weight and preventive veterinary monitoring promote good longevity.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its athletic build, its endurance and its protective coat make it a rather hardy dog. Its robustness remains average to good and does not exempt from monitoring the joints, hearing and kidney function.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
Regular veterinary monitoring is recommended in order to detect early the conditions to which the breed may be predisposed. Any decrease in endurance, lameness, change in hearing, increased thirst or change in urine should lead to a consultation.
Renal amyloidosis: This rare disease linked to deposits of insoluble proteins in the tissues can progressively impair kidney function.
Deafness: A partial or complete loss of hearing may occur and warrants a specialized evaluation in case of doubt.
Hip dysplasia: This abnormality of joint development can cause pain, lameness and osteoarthritis, especially in this large-sized dog.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its short but dense coat provides it with adequate protection against bad weather and allows it to tolerate a variety of temperate conditions. However, it must be provided with a dry shelter in cold weather and sustained exertion during hot hours must be avoided, with permanent access to water and shade.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its high activity level often limits weight gain, but the ration must remain proportionate to actual exercise. It is advisable to regularly monitor its body shape and adjust intake during a decrease in activity, after sterilization or with age.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Have the hips and gait checked regularly.
- Monitor hearing and request a specialized test if in doubt.
- Clean and inspect the drooping ears after outings.
- Consult in case of increased thirst, fatigue, or changes in urine.
- Keep vaccines, antiparasitics, and the annual check-up up to date.
Vaccination
English Foxhound vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a English Foxhound need? Like all dogs, English Foxhounds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial English Foxhound vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult English Foxhound booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your English Foxhound need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy English Foxhound
Before breeding, it is advisable to have the hips and hearing of the breeding dogs assessed and to discuss with the veterinarian the appropriate renal monitoring according to the lineage history. Regular veterinary check-ups, combined with examination of the ears and locomotion, complete this prevention.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
