Definition

Noun: 1. A breed of dog: The English Foxhound is a specific breed of dog originating in England. It is a scent hound, bred for the purpose of hunting foxes, traditionally in groups called packs. It is physically similar to but slightly larger in size than its American counterpart, the American Foxhound.

Usage

• The English Foxhound is known for its stamina, keen sense of smell, and melodious voice, or "bay," which hunters follow.
• While originally bred for fox hunting, modern English Foxhounds are also kept as companion animals, though they require significant exercise.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The hunt was led by a pack of well-trained English Foxhounds.
  • An English Foxhound requires a great deal of daily activity to stay happy and healthy.
  • The English Foxhound is slightly stockier than the American Foxhound.

Advanced Usage

• "To be bred true to type": This phrase is often used in dog breeding to describe animals that perfectly represent the standard characteristics of their breed. An English Foxhound bred for show or field trials should be bred true to type, exhibiting the classic physical and temperamental traits.

Variants and Related Words

• Foxhound (n): The general category of dog breeds used for hunting foxes. The English Foxhound is one type of foxhound.
• American Foxhound (n): A closely related breed developed in the United States, derived from the English Foxhound but adapted for different terrain and quarry.
• Scent hound (n): A classification of hunting dogs that primarily use their powerful sense of smell to track game, as opposed to sight hounds. The English Foxhound is a classic scent hound.

Synonyms

• Hound (n): A general term for hunting dogs, especially those that use scent or sight to pursue game.
• Pack hound (n): A dog bred to work cooperatively in a group with other dogs.

Related Phrases

• To follow the hounds: An idiomatic expression meaning to participate in a fox hunt on horseback, following the pack of hounds.
  • His favorite weekend activity was to follow the hounds across the countryside.
• In full cry: A phrase describing hounds when they are actively and vocally pursuing a scent.
  • The English Foxhounds were in full cry as they picked up the fox's trail.

Noun

1. an English breed slightly larger than the American foxhounds originally used to hunt in packs