The English foxhound has a short hard coat of hair that is relatively easy to take care of. They are a low shedder if they are properly groomed. They are an excellent dog for allergy sufferers. Unlike many other dogs, the grooming does not consist of a lot of work. Brushing their hair with a firm bristle brush will help get rid of anything they may have picked up while outdoors or hunting.
Use of the bristle brush or a hound brush when they are shedding will help get rid of all the excess hair. Many owners will follow the brushing by wiping the coat with a damp cloth. This process will help keep the coat clean and looking shiny and glossy. Do not give a bath any more than they absolutely need them as too much bathing can strip the coat of their natural oils. When a bath is necessary, always use a good shampoo made for canines of this breed. The English foxhound does not need to get his hair trimmed unless it is a personal preference, in which case a professional groomer can do this for your dog.
There is more to grooming your English foxhound than just brushing his coat and making it look clean. The ears of a dog are very important and need to be cleaned periodically. Many times they fill up with wax or dirt from being in the woods hunting, both of which can cause problems if they are not removed. Certain dog foods may cause yeast infections in the ears of the dog. Without checking the ears, you may have no way of knowing this. It is very important to keep the ear canals clean and dry to help reduce the chance of infection, which can be very painful for the dog.
If your dog is going to be spending a lot of time in the house, as many dogs do today, you will want his nails to be clipped. Long nails can cause damage in the house and can break off when they are outside. If they break unevenly or too far, this can cause damage and/or pain to the dog. You can purchase dog clippers to do the nail clipping at home. Be sure to not cut too deep or you may cause bleeding. The back nails may not need clipping because they often are worn down by themselves with active dogs.
While you are grooming your dog, it's a good idea to use this time to check him over for many lumps or problems that weren't there the last time the dog was groomed. In the case of females, this is a good way to check for lumps, which could indicate cancer. In most cases, the earlier a problem is detected, the sooner you can get treatment.
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