Foxhound vs Beagle: The Differences (With Pictures)

Foxhound vs Beagle: A Detailed Comparison of These Classic Hunting Hounds

Foxhounds and beagles are both beloved scent hound breeds with long histories as skilled hunting companions. While they may look similar at first glance with their short coats and droopy ears, there are some key differences between these two dogs in terms of size, personality, and living needs. If you‘re considering adding one of these energetic hounds to your household, it‘s important to understand what sets them apart.

In this in-depth guide, we‘ll take a closer look at foxhounds vs beagles across a number of important characteristics including temperament, exercise needs, trainability, health, and more. By the end, you‘ll have a clearer picture of which breed may be the best fit for your lifestyle and family.

Foxhound Overview
There are two types of foxhounds: the American Foxhound and the English Foxhound. While they descended from the same roots in the British Isles, American Foxhounds were developed in the United States starting in the 1700s and are a bit taller and more streamlined than their English cousins. George Washington was integral in developing the American Foxhound breed. Some key foxhound characteristics include:

Size: Foxhounds are medium-to-large dogs, typically weighing between 60-70 pounds and standing 21-25 inches tall at the shoulder. Males are larger than females.

Coat: The foxhound‘s short, hard coat lies close to the body and comes in a variety of color combinations including black, white, and tan. The coat sheds regularly but is easy to maintain with weekly brushing.

Temperament: Foxhounds are sweet-natured, gentle, and very tolerant dogs. Originally bred to hunt in packs, they enjoy the company of other dogs and people. They have a strong prey drive, however, so may not do well in homes with cats and other small pets. Foxhounds are also known for being quite vocal, with loud baying howls to alert hunters when they‘ve found their quarry.

Exercise needs: As hunting hounds bred for speed and endurance, foxhounds have very high exercise requirements. They need at least 1-2 hours of vigorous exercise daily in the form of long walks/hikes, running, and active playtime. Without sufficient exercise, foxhounds are prone to boredom, destructive behaviors, and excessive baying.

Training: Despite being intelligent, foxhounds have a very independent nature and are not the most obedient of dogs. They can be challenging to train and are easily distracted by scents, so they‘re not ideal for novice dog owners. Patient, consistent training with positive reinforcement is essential starting from puppyhood. They should always be kept on-leash and in securely fenced areas due to their strong instincts to follow scents.

Health: Foxhounds are a generally healthy breed with a lifespan of 10-13 years. Health conditions to be aware of include hip and elbow dysplasia, ear infections, and thrombopathia (a blood clotting disorder).

Best suited for: Foxhounds do best in homes with very active owners who enjoy spending hours outdoors hiking and running with their dogs. They are better suited for rural homes with lots of space to roam than apartments or urban areas. Owners should be prepared for their loud baying, high training and exercise needs. Foxhounds usually get along very well with children and other dogs.

Beagle Overview

The beagle is another classic scenthound breed, albeit quite a bit smaller than the foxhound. Developed in Great Britain, this merry little hound became popular in the United States starting in the mid-1800s. Some key beagle characteristics include:

Size: Beagles come in two sizes – those under 13 inches and those between 13-15 inches tall. They typically weigh between 20-30 pounds, with females smaller than males.

Coat: The beagle‘s short, dense double coat most often comes in a tricolor pattern of black, tan and white. Their coats shed regularly, but are easily cared for with weekly brushing.

Temperament: Beagles are known for being happy-go-lucky, friendly, and easy-going companions. They generally get along well with other dogs, people of all ages, and other pets. Like foxhounds, beagles were originally pack dogs and enjoy company. Also like foxhounds, beagles are quite vocal and communicate with a musical baying howl. They are curious, clever, and playful dogs.

Exercise needs: While not quite as demanding as foxhounds, beagles still have high exercise needs and require at least 1 hour of vigorous exercise per day in the form of walks, hikes, and active play. They have an extremely keen sense of smell which they will follow to the exclusion of all else, so should always be kept in fenced areas or on-leash during walks. Without enough physical and mental stimulation, beagles can become bored and destructive.

Training: Beagles are intelligent but can definitely have a stubborn streak. They are food-motivated, which can aid in training, but they bore easily with repetition. Positive reinforcement using treats and favorite toys tend to work best. Like foxhounds, beagles are easily distracted by scents, so training requires patience and consistency starting from a young age. They are not ideal for first-time dog owners.

Health: Beagles have a typical lifespan of 12-15 years. Some genetic health conditions seen in the breed include hypothyroidism, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and eye disorders like glaucoma and cherry eye. They are also prone to obesity, so their diet and treats need to be carefully monitored.

Best suited for: Beagles do well in active households that can meet their daily exercise and companionship needs. Their smaller size makes them a bit more adaptable to different living situations than foxhounds, but they are still happiest with a yard to play in. Beagles usually thrive in households with children and/or other dogs. Owners should be prepared for some stubborn streaks in training.

Foxhound vs Beagle: Which Breed is Right For You?
Now that we‘ve covered the key traits of foxhounds and beagles, let‘s compare the two breeds head-to-head in a few important areas:

Size: The most obvious difference between foxhounds and beagles is size. Foxhounds tower over their beagle cousins, with males standing as much as 10 inches taller and weighing up to 40 pounds more. If you have a smaller living space or prefer a more portable hound, beagles are the clear choice. However, both breeds are solidly-built and athletic, requiring plenty of room to move.

Temperament: Both foxhounds and beagles are friendly, good-natured dogs that are good with children and enjoy the company of their human families. However, foxhounds tend to be a bit more independent, while beagles are more attached to their people. Beagles also tend to be a bit less prey-driven than foxhounds, making them somewhat more adaptable to households with other small pets like cats. Both breeds are VERY food-driven and will counter-surf and get into garbage if given the chance.

Exercise Needs: Foxhounds and beagles are both high-energy working dogs that need lots of daily exercise – a quick walk around the block won‘t cut it. Foxhounds are the more athletic of the two with greater endurance. If you‘re a long-distance runner or all-day hiker, a foxhound may be your ideal companion. Beagles still need a solid hour or more of vigorous exercise, but are a bit less intense than foxhounds.

Trainability: Both breeds are intelligent, but can definitely have an independent, stubborn side that can make training a challenge. Positive reinforcement with food rewards tends to be most effective. Beagles are reputed to be a little more biddable than foxhounds, but both breeds need patient, consistent training from puppyhood by experienced owners for best results.

Vocality: One of the most important things to be aware of with both breeds is that they are very vocal dogs, prone to melodious howling. Neighbors may not appreciate the noise if you live in close quarters like an apartment. If you prefer a quieter dog, these aren‘t the breeds for you.

Grooming: The short, dense coats of both beagles and foxhounds are relatively low-maintenance, requiring just regular brushing and the occasional bath. However, both breeds shed consistently, so you‘ll need to stay on top of hair pickup around the house.

Health: Both breeds are generally healthy, but beagles tend to live a couple years longer on average than foxhounds. Beagles do have more known inherited health issues than foxhounds, so be sure to do genetic screening of any beagle puppy before purchasing or adopting. Keeping up with preventative veterinary care is important for the longevity of both breeds.

The Bottom Line

Foxhounds and beagles are both wonderful, loving dog breeds for the right owners. They share a strong work ethic, keen sense of smell, high exercise needs, and melodious howl. Foxhounds are larger, faster, and have a stronger prey drive, making them more challenging than beagles and best suited for rural homes with highly active owners. Beagles are a bit smaller, less energetic, and somewhat more trainable than foxhounds. However, both breeds can be a handful, especially for first-time dog owners.

Ultimately, the choice between a foxhound and beagle comes down to your lifestyle, activity level, training experience, and living situation. If you‘re an avid outdoor adventurer with lots of space for an active dog to roam, a foxhound could be your ideal companion. If you‘re looking for a slightly smaller but still energetic and loving dog that can adapt to apartment living if sufficiently exercised, a beagle may be the better choice.

Whichever breed you choose, be prepared for a loyal, affectionate, sometimes stubborn but always enthusiastic four-legged friend. With proper training, care and plenty of exercise and attention, foxhounds and beagles both make excellent companion animals for active singles, couples and families.