GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: Approx. 48-53cm (19”- 21”).
Colour: Most popular isTricolour (black/tan/white) and Pied (fawn/white). Other recognised hound colours also may be seen in the breed.
Coat: Short, dense and glossy.
Gait: Long, free and easy with powerful hind propulsion.
These clean cut energetic breeds are built for stamina. The skulls should be broad with a powerful square muzzle and broad pendant ears. The neck must be long enough for the hound to reach the ground to scent while galloping. The chest must have plenty of room for heart and lungs and the loin should be powerful. Their legs are strong and very powerful with tight round feet. The tail - called the ‘stern’ in scent hounds - is set on at the level of the back and carried fairly high.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Foxhounds and Harriers are often found living in packs, and for the purpose of hunting are often trained to work as a ‘couple’. Their basic instincts are to put their noses down to scent and follow a trail. Although they are friendly and gentle, being rather noisy does not render them as particularly good house dogs in towns, however, in the country, they are ideal companions and useful in getting rid of foxes and hares. There is nothing better they love than a long run.
HISTORY
A hunting dog similar to the Foxhound and Harrier as we know them today, existed in Egypt centuries before Christ. These dogs no doubt made their way to Europe during the Roman invasions, it is believed their lines were crossed with the early bloodhounds or St. Huberts as they were then known.
Ultimately they arrived in Britain with the Norman invasions in the 11th century, the larger type were used for stag and fox hunting while the smaller variety were used for hare hunting (hence the name Harrier). In order to safeguard farms from the destruction created by foxes, these hounds were an extremely valuable asset in the days before poisoning became the method to eradicate these pests.