English Foxhound: The Energetic and Sturdy Hunting Companion
The English Foxhound is a large and athletic scent hound originally developed in England for fox hunting and long-distance tracking across open countryside. Known for their endurance, powerful nose, and pack-oriented temperament, English Foxhounds are energetic dogs that combine determination in the field with a friendly and good-natured personality at home. These intelligent and highly active dogs thrive with owners who can provide plenty of daily exercise, secure outdoor space, and opportunities to explore and follow scents, as their strong hunting instincts require regular outlets. English Foxhounds are typically social with people and other dogs, especially when raised with companionship and structure, although their independent nature can make training more challenging without patience and consistency. With their athletic build, musical bay, and hardworking temperament, the English Foxhound is best suited for active households seeking a driven and affectionate hound companion.
⭐ 3 Things You May Not Know About the English Foxhound
- English Foxhounds were bred specifically to work in large coordinated packs, making them especially social and cooperative with other dogs.
- The breed’s incredible endurance allowed hunting packs to follow fox scent trails for hours across the English countryside without tiring.
- The English Foxhound played an important role in the development of several American hunting breeds, including the American Foxhound.
Overview
- Size: Large
- Weight: 60-75 lbs
- Lifespan: 10-13 years
- Temperament: Sociable, Energetic, Independent
- Coat: Short, dense, and easy to maintain
- Exercise Needs: Very High
- Group: Hound
🐾 Quick Facts About the English Foxhound
- Energy Level: Very High — English Foxhounds are athletic scent hounds that need extensive exercise and outdoor activity.
- Grooming Needs: Low — Their short smooth coat is easy to maintain with occasional brushing.
- Good With Kids: Yes — English Foxhounds are generally affectionate, gentle, and friendly with families and children.
- Trainability: Moderate — Intelligent but independent scent hounds, they respond best to patient and consistent training.
- Barking Level: High — English Foxhounds are naturally vocal and may bay loudly while tracking or alerting.
Jump to Section
- History & Origin
- Breed Traits & Personality
- Exercise & Training Needs
- Grooming Requirements
- Health Overview & Testing
- Is This Breed Right for You?
- Finding a Responsible Breeder or Rescue
- Similar Breeds You Might Like
History & Origin
The English Foxhound originated in England during the 16th and 17th centuries, where it was carefully developed as a powerful and enduring scent hound used for organized fox hunting across the English countryside. Wealthy landowners and hunting clubs sought a fast, athletic, and highly coordinated pack hound capable of following fox scent trails over long distances while working closely with mounted hunters and other hounds.
The breed was created through selective breeding of various hunting hounds, including Greyhound, Bloodhound, and stag hound lines, combining speed, stamina, scenting ability, and pack cooperation into a single versatile hunting dog. English Foxhounds became known for their exceptional endurance and ability to maintain a steady pace for hours while pursuing game across fields, forests, and rough terrain.
Unlike many hunting breeds that worked independently or in small groups, the English Foxhound was specifically bred to function smoothly within large hunting packs. Breeders focused heavily on temperament, pack compatibility, and consistent working ability, producing dogs that were energetic in the field while remaining disciplined and cooperative during hunts.
The breed became deeply connected to traditional English fox hunting culture and remained highly respected among sporting communities for centuries. Its balanced athletic build, strong chest, and powerful legs helped it excel during long mounted hunts that often covered many miles of countryside.
Modern English Foxhounds still retain many traits shaped by generations of demanding hunting work. Their stamina, strong scenting instincts, sociability with other dogs, and energetic nature reflect their heritage as pack hunting hounds developed for endurance and teamwork. Beneath the breed’s calm and friendly demeanor remains a hardworking sporting dog deeply connected to England’s historic hunting traditions.
Breed Traits & Personality
The English Foxhound is a powerful and athletic scent hound developed in England for endurance hunting across vast countryside terrain. Known for its stamina, strong nose, balanced structure, and pack-oriented working ability, the breed combines rugged durability with classic hound elegance.
The breed possesses a well-balanced muscular frame designed for sustained movement and physical endurance rather than sprinting speed alone. The body is slightly longer than tall with a deep chest, strong shoulders, powerful hindquarters, and solid bone structure that support long-distance tracking and hunting work.
One of the breed’s defining characteristics is its clean athletic outline combined with remarkable physical stamina. The English Foxhound was bred to travel for hours while following scent trails over varied terrain and difficult environmental conditions.
The head is moderately broad with a long strong muzzle and highly developed scenting ability. The breed’s dark expressive eyes convey alertness, intelligence, and calm attentiveness.
The ears are medium length, pendant-shaped, and carried close to the cheeks in classic hound fashion. The expression is gentle, observant, and focused.
The coat is short, dense, and weather-resistant, providing practical protection during outdoor hunting work while remaining relatively easy to maintain. Common coat colors include tricolor combinations of black, white, and tan, as well as various hound color patterns.
The tail is carried high with slight curve and contributes to the breed’s balanced athletic appearance. Movement should appear smooth, effortless, and highly efficient with excellent reach and endurance.
The English Foxhound’s structure reflects centuries of selective breeding for stamina, scenting ability, and coordinated pack movement rather than exaggerated appearance traits.
Although elegant and balanced in outline, the breed remains fundamentally a hardworking athletic hunting dog with exceptional endurance beneath its refined appearance.
Overall, the English Foxhound projects endurance, athleticism, determination, and classic scent-hound capability through its balanced structure and tireless movement.
For a broader comparison of how this breed’s size compares to others, see our Dog Size & Weight Guide.
Temperament & Personality
The English Foxhound is known for being friendly, sociable, energetic, and highly pack-oriented. Developed to work cooperatively with both humans and other hounds, the breed generally possesses a social and outgoing temperament.
With family members, English Foxhounds are typically affectionate, cheerful, and emotionally connected. Many individuals enjoy companionship and thrive when included in daily activities and outdoor adventures.
The breed is usually friendly toward strangers and often lacks the territorial suspicion seen in many guarding breeds. Their sociable nature contributes greatly to their reputation as cooperative working hounds.
Because of their strong pack instincts, English Foxhounds generally coexist very well with other dogs. Many individuals strongly prefer social interaction and companionship rather than long periods of isolation.
The breed is intelligent and highly scent-driven, often becoming intensely focused when following interesting smells. Their scent-hound instincts may occasionally override obedience when outdoors.
English Foxhounds are energetic and mentally active dogs that require substantial engagement and exercise. Without enough stimulation, some individuals may become vocal, restless, or destructive from boredom.
The breed is generally gentle and tolerant with children when properly supervised and socialized. Their playful and outgoing temperament often makes them enjoyable companions for active families.
Because of their independent hunting background, English Foxhounds may display stubbornness or selective listening during training sessions. Patience and consistency are important when working with this breed.
Many individuals possess the classic hound vocalization tendencies associated with scent hounds, including baying or vocal excitement during stimulation.
In the right home, the English Foxhound becomes a friendly, energetic, socially adaptable companion with strong pack-oriented personality and impressive endurance.
For a broader overview of personality differences between breed groups, visit our Dog Breed Temperament Guide.
Exercise & Training Needs
The English Foxhound is a highly active endurance breed that requires substantial daily exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy and behaviorally balanced. Developed for long-distance hunting work, the breed possesses exceptional stamina and physical energy.
Daily activity should include long walks, running, hiking, scent games, tracking activities, and opportunities for safe exploration. Simple short walks are generally insufficient for this breed’s energy level and endurance capacity.
Because of the breed’s powerful scenting instincts, mentally stimulating activities such as scent work, tracking games, and exploratory exercise are especially important.
Training requires patience, consistency, and understanding of the breed’s independent hound nature. English Foxhounds are intelligent but may become distracted when following scents or environmental stimulation.
Positive reinforcement methods using rewards, praise, and engaging training sessions generally produce the best results. Harsh correction or repetitive forceful handling may reduce cooperation and enthusiasm.
Reliable recall training can be challenging due to the breed’s intense scent focus and natural tendency to follow interesting trails. Secure fencing and leash management are often essential safety considerations.
Early socialization is important to encourage confidence and stable behavior around unfamiliar people, environments, and animals.
English Foxhounds often thrive in active homes with large outdoor spaces and owners who enjoy outdoor activities. The breed is generally less suited for sedentary households or environments with limited exercise opportunities.
Because of their strong pack-oriented temperament, many English Foxhounds prefer companionship and regular interaction with people or other dogs.
Although energetic outdoors, well-exercised individuals are often calm and affectionate indoors once physical and mental needs have been satisfied.
For owners seeking an athletic, social, energetic scent hound with exceptional endurance and strong outdoor instincts, the English Foxhound can become an exceptionally rewarding companion.
Learn more on our Dog Training Page.
Grooming Requirements
The English Foxhound has relatively low-maintenance grooming requirements thanks to its short practical working coat and naturally durable structure.
The short dense coat generally requires weekly brushing using a grooming mitt, rubber curry brush, or soft bristle brush to remove loose hair and maintain healthy skin and coat condition.
The breed sheds moderately throughout the year, with seasonal shedding periods sometimes increasing during coat transitions.
Bathing is typically needed only periodically because the coat naturally resists dirt and outdoor debris reasonably well. Overbathing should be avoided because it may strip beneficial natural oils.
Routine grooming should also include nail trimming, dental care, ear cleaning, and inspection of the skin and coat for scratches, parasites, or irritation following outdoor activity.
Because the breed spends significant time outdoors and may travel through rough terrain, owners should regularly check paw pads, nails, and ears for injuries, debris, or moisture buildup.
The long hanging ears should be monitored carefully because reduced airflow may contribute to ear irritation or infection if not cleaned regularly.
The English Foxhound’s athletic body condition also benefits greatly from proper weight management and consistent exercise to support long-term joint and cardiovascular health.
The short coat is relatively easy to maintain and generally carries less odor than many heavily coated breeds when properly cared for.
With proper grooming, exercise, preventive care, and structured activity, the English Foxhound maintains its healthy coat, athletic condition, and enduring hunting-dog vitality throughout its life.
Learn more on our Dog Grooming Page.
Health Overview & Testing
The English Foxhound is an athletic, intelligent, and highly endurance-oriented scent hound known for its stamina, pack instincts, and strong hunting drive. Originally developed in England for mounted fox hunting, the English Foxhound is generally considered a hardy and physically capable breed, but like many large active hounds, it can still be prone to certain inherited and structural health concerns. Understanding common English Foxhound health problems and recommended breeder health testing can help puppy buyers make more informed decisions when selecting a healthy puppy. Because this breed combines deep-chested structure, endurance, muscular athleticism, and high activity levels, maintaining healthy joints, cardiovascular fitness, mobility, ear condition, and overall body condition is especially important throughout the dog’s life.
Health issues sometimes seen in English Foxhounds may include hip dysplasia, epilepsy, bloat, ear infections, obesity-related joint stress, kidney disease, and age-related arthritis. Some individuals may also develop cruciate ligament injuries, thyroid disease, or orthopedic strain later in life due to years of athletic activity and endurance work. Because the English Foxhound is a deep-chested breed built for sustained physical exertion, proper conditioning and responsible exercise management are especially important for protecting long-term mobility and cardiovascular wellness. While not every English Foxhound will develop these conditions, understanding the breed’s health tendencies allows owners to make better long-term decisions regarding breeding, exercise, nutrition, conditioning, and preventive veterinary care.
Health Testing & Responsible Breeding
Responsible English Foxhound breeders should perform appropriate health screenings before breeding in order to reduce the likelihood of inherited conditions being passed to future generations. Many puppy buyers are encouraged to ask about health testing, but they are often unsure which evaluations are most important for this breed. In the English Foxhound, careful attention to orthopedic, neurological, and overall structural health is especially valuable.
Buyers should ask whether the sire and dam have completed OFA or PennHIP hip evaluations and other veterinary wellness evaluations when appropriate. Responsible breeders may also discuss orthopedic longevity, endurance soundness, temperament stability, pack behavior, and overall lifespan within their bloodlines. Some breeders may additionally monitor for hereditary neurological disorders, cardiac concerns, or thyroid issues depending on pedigree history.
Unlike some breeds selected primarily for appearance alone, responsible English Foxhound breeding programs often place strong emphasis on endurance, athletic soundness, respiratory fitness, and stable temperament because the breed was developed for demanding pack-hunting work over long distances. Ethical breeders understand that preserving the English Foxhound involves much more than maintaining hound appearance — it also includes protecting healthy movement, emotional stability, working capability, and long-term wellness.
Before English Foxhound puppies are placed into new homes, they should receive a complete veterinary wellness examination that evaluates the heart, eyes, joints, bite alignment, parasite status, overall structure, and general physical development. Because athletic hound breeds place substantial stress on developing bones and joints during growth, proper nutrition and carefully managed exercise during puppyhood are especially important. Puppies should also leave with age-appropriate vaccinations, deworming records, feeding guidance, and recommendations for safe socialization, training, and physical conditioning during development.
A responsible English Foxhound breeder should willingly provide documentation of completed health clearances and openly discuss inherited health concerns affecting the breed. Puppy buyers should be cautious of breeders who avoid health discussions, refuse to provide testing information, or claim their dogs are completely free of health problems. Ethical breeding focuses on reducing inherited risk through careful selection, health screening, pedigree knowledge, and lifelong breeder support rather than making unrealistic promises.
Preventive Care & Long-Term Wellness
Maintaining healthy body condition and regular exercise is especially important for the English Foxhound because this breed is naturally athletic, energetic, and built for endurance work. Without sufficient physical activity and mental stimulation, some individuals may become restless, vocal, destructive, or difficult to manage. Regular exercise helps support cardiovascular fitness, muscle tone, coordination, joint stability, and emotional well-being throughout life.
The English Foxhound is also a highly scent-driven and intelligent breed that benefits from regular mental stimulation and purposeful activity. Long walks, hiking, scent games, tracking activities, outdoor exploration, and interactive training all contribute to emotional balance and long-term wellness.
Because the breed’s long ears may trap moisture and debris, regular ear cleaning and monitoring are especially important to help reduce the risk of chronic ear infections. Grooming sessions also provide an excellent opportunity to monitor for skin irritation, parasites, lumps, coat-quality changes, or developing health concerns.
Because the English Foxhound is a deep-chested breed, owners should also learn the warning signs of bloat and gastric torsion, including abdominal swelling, pacing, drooling, unsuccessful vomiting attempts, and sudden distress. Immediate emergency veterinary treatment is critical if these symptoms occur.
Routine veterinary examinations throughout adulthood and senior years remain important for monitoring mobility, orthopedic health, hearing, cardiovascular wellness, ear condition, and overall quality of life. Early detection of developing health concerns often allows for more successful long-term management and improved outcomes.
Lifespan & Senior English Foxhound Care
The English Foxhound often lives approximately 10 to 13 years when responsibly bred and properly cared for. Senior English Foxhounds may gradually develop arthritis, reduced stamina, hearing decline, vision changes, muscle loss, or decreased mobility as they age. Some older dogs may also become more prone to stiffness after activity or require adjustments in exercise intensity during the senior years.
As English Foxhounds enter their senior years, many owners focus on maintaining moderate low-impact exercise, healthy weight management, supportive bedding, joint support, continued mental stimulation, and routine wellness monitoring. Because the breed often remains emotionally connected and active throughout life, continued companionship and purposeful interaction remain especially important even during old age.
With attentive care, preventive veterinary support, responsible breeding, and a healthy lifestyle, many English Foxhounds continue to thrive as affectionate, athletic, and highly devoted companions throughout their lives.
Is This Breed Right for You?
The English Foxhound is an intelligent, energetic, and highly endurance-oriented scent hound known for its stamina, pack instincts, and strong hunting drive. Originally developed for mounted fox hunting over long distances, the English Foxhound thrives when given exercise, companionship, and opportunities to stay mentally and physically engaged.
While affectionate and highly capable, the English Foxhound is not the ideal fit for every household. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide:
✔ Ideal for:
- Active owners who enjoy hiking, running, or outdoor adventures
- People able to provide regular exercise and mental stimulation
- Families seeking an energetic and athletic companion
- Owners interested in scent work or tracking activities
- Homes willing to provide structure, companionship, and engagement
❌ Not Ideal for:
- People unable to provide regular activity and exercise
- Homes where the dog will frequently be isolated or inactive
- Owners seeking a low-energy or highly obedient dog
- People unprepared for vocal hound behavior and strong scent drive
- Homes unable to provide secure fencing and supervision outdoors
Finding a Responsible Breeder or Rescue
If you’re interested in bringing a dog of this breed into your home, consider adopting from a rescue organization or finding a reputable breeder.
Find a Reliable Rescue:
Read our page about how to adopt from a reliable dog rescue.
Find reliable rescues through our Dog Rescue Directory.
Find a Responsible Breeder:
Read our information page about buying a healthy puppy from a responsible breeder.
Find responsible breeders through our Dog Breeders Directory.
Puppy Considerations
English Foxhound puppies are energetic, curious, and highly scent-driven from an early age. Early socialization and positive reinforcement training are extremely important to help puppies develop confidence, emotional stability, and appropriate behavior.
Because these puppies mature into highly active and endurance-oriented adults, early structure and healthy outlets for their energy are especially important. Their scent-tracking instincts and independence often become obvious very early in development.
Puppies benefit from:
- Early socialization with people, dogs, sounds, and environments
- Positive reinforcement training and structured routines
- Daily exercise and mentally stimulating activities
- Scent games, tracking exercises, and confidence-building activities
- Controlled exercise appropriate for athletic hound-breed development
Because English Foxhound puppies are highly energetic and curious, consistent training and secure supervision are especially important during development.
Living With an English Foxhound
Living with an English Foxhound is often rewarding for owners who appreciate athletic, intelligent, and highly interactive scent hounds. These dogs generally form strong bonds with their families and often enjoy participating in outdoor adventures and active daily routines.
The English Foxhound requires regular physical exercise and mental stimulation to remain healthy and emotionally balanced. Many enjoy hiking, tracking, scent games, long walks, outdoor exploration, and interactive training sessions with their families.
This breed generally does best in homes where it receives companionship, structure, training, and opportunities to stay mentally occupied. Without enough engagement or exercise, boredom may lead to excessive vocalization, destructive behavior, escape attempts, or emotional frustration.
Although affectionate and friendly with family members, English Foxhounds may naturally be somewhat independent due to their strong scent-hound instincts. Early socialization and responsible ownership are important for helping the breed develop into a confident and stable adult.
Feeding a balanced, high-quality diet and maintaining a healthy weight are important for supporting endurance, mobility, muscle condition, orthopedic wellness, and overall quality of life. Routine veterinary care, exercise, training, grooming, and companionship all contribute to helping the breed thrive.
Final Thoughts…
The English Foxhound is an athletic, intelligent, and deeply loyal scent hound that thrives with owners who appreciate endurance, outdoor activity, and active companionship. Their stamina, cheerful personality, and strong hunting instincts make them remarkable companions in the right homes.
With proper exercise, preventive care, socialization, training, and companionship, the English Foxhound can become a deeply rewarding and highly devoted lifelong companion.
Are you considering adding an English Foxhound to your family?
🐶 English Foxhounds FAQs
How long do English Foxhounds live?
English Foxhounds typically have a lifespan of about 10 to 13 years. With proper nutrition, regular veterinary care, and consistent exercise, many remain healthy and active well into adulthood.
As an athletic working breed, they benefit from maintaining a healthy weight and regular physical activity. Routine health screenings help support long-term wellbeing.
What is the English Foxhound temperament like?
English Foxhounds are known for being friendly, even-tempered, and sociable. They were bred to work in packs and generally enjoy the company of people and other dogs.
This breed tends to be steady and good-natured rather than overly intense. Early socialization helps them adapt well to home life outside of a working environment.
Are English Foxhounds good family dogs?
English Foxhounds can be good family dogs in active households that can meet their exercise needs. They are typically patient and tolerant, especially with older children.
They do best in homes that provide regular outdoor activity and companionship. Supervision and consistent routines help them integrate smoothly into family life.
Do English Foxhounds shed a lot?
English Foxhounds are moderate shedders. Their short, dense coat sheds year-round, with some increase during seasonal coat changes.
Occasional brushing helps manage shedding and keeps the coat healthy. Grooming needs are relatively low compared to long-coated breeds.
Are English Foxhounds easy to train?
English Foxhounds are intelligent but can be independent thinkers. Training may require patience and consistency, especially when distractions are present.
Positive reinforcement and structured training sessions work best. Early obedience training and socialization help establish reliable behavior.
Similar Breeds You Might Like
If you’re interested in the English Foxhound, you may also enjoy learning about these similar scent hound and sporting breeds:
- American Foxhound – A closely related hound breed known for endurance, friendliness, and a strong pack instinct.
- Beagle – A smaller scent hound valued for curiosity, energy, and a family-friendly temperament.
- Harrier – A medium-sized hound with a cheerful nature and strong drive for outdoor activity.
🐾 Lisa’s Picks for English Foxhounds
As someone who has worked with dogs for over 50 years—including more than 20 years helping with housebreaking and everyday care—I’m often asked for product recommendations. I’ve found that a few simple items can make a big difference in a dog’s comfort and daily routine.
If you have a English Foxhound or are planning to bring one into your home, these products and tips can help support your journey together.
🛏️ 1. Dog Beds
👉 My Tip: Waterproof Bed Protection (My Personal Favorite Trick)
One thing I personally do is use twin-size waterproof mattress covers over larger dog beds. They’re easy to wash, protect the bed beneath, and save money long-term—especially helpful for puppies, seniors, or heavy shedders. You can find different colors and patterns that fit your decor.
For tiny dog beds, you can use waterproof pillow covers that fit over the beds to protect them and save money long-term.
I use the same idea around the house, too. Washable, waterproof couch covers are a simple way to protect furniture from dirt, shedding, and accidents—especially helpful with puppies, seniors, or dogs that love the couch.
* Orthopedic Foam Dog Beds:
A high-quality orthopedic bed is one of the best investments you can make for your dog. I recommend these for every breed, once they are out of the chewing stage, especially as they age. They provide joint support, improve comfort, and help dogs truly rest.
* Tough Dog Beds for Dogs That Chew:
If your dog tends to chew or destroy their bedding, a standard plush bed may not last long. In these cases, I recommend tough, chew-resistant dog beds made with reinforced materials.
These are designed to hold up better against digging, scratching, and chewing, and can save you from constantly replacing beds. While no bed is completely indestructible, choosing a more durable option can make a big difference.
* Puppies need Simple Washable Bedding:
For young puppies that are still learning house training, I often suggest starting with simple, washable blankets instead of an expensive dog bed.
Thick towels, fleece throws, or washable pads work very well during this stage. They’re easy to clean, quick to replace, and help protect your main dog beds until your puppy is more reliable. Once house training is more consistent, you can transition to a more permanent, supportive bed.
✂️ 2. Proper Grooming Tools for the English Foxhound Coat
English Foxhounds have a short, dense coat that is easy to maintain, but regular grooming helps keep it healthy and looking its best.
A bristle brush or rubber grooming brush works well to remove loose hair and keep the coat clean, while a grooming mitt can help distribute natural oils and maintain a healthy shine. A metal comb can be used lightly for detail work if needed.
English Foxhounds are moderate shedders, and regular brushing helps control loose hair and keep the coat in good condition. It’s also helpful to check their ears regularly, as their long ears can trap moisture and debris.
Regular brushing:
- Helps control loose hair
- Keeps the coat clean and shiny
- Maintains healthy skin
🦴 3. Treats (Great for All Dogs)
- Jerky Treats for Dogs: Almost all dogs love soft, easy-to-break NATURAL jerky treats. They’re perfect for rewarding good behavior without overfeeding. Soft jerky treats provide protein and are easy to chew.
- Tiny Treats for Small Dogs
For small dogs, I recommend using very tiny, NATURAL training treats that are soft and easy to chew. This lets you reward often without overfeeding.
- Stronger Chew Treats for Larger Dogs
Dogs that enjoy a more robust chewing experience will benefit from stronger chew treats. Some larger dogs may still go through them quickly, while others will take more time—so it often depends on the individual dog.
👉 My Tip: Check Ingredient Labels
I always recommend checking the ingredient label when choosing treats at the store. Dogs don’t need added sugar or artificial ingredients, and some treats can upset their stomach or cause diarrhea. Look for all-natural ingredient labels, and single ingredient or few ingredient labels are preferred.
It’s important to note that even among the same breed, some dogs enjoy chewing more than others, and many have preferences for certain types of chews. If you notice bleeding gums during chewing, it’s a good idea to have your dog examined by a veterinarian to rule out any dental issues.
🧠 4. Enrichment Toys for Mental Stimulation
English Foxhounds are active, so giving them something to do is important.
An enrichment toy can help:
- Prevent boredom
- Reduce unwanted behaviors
- Keep their mind engaged
When choosing an enrichment toy, think about your dog’s personality and needs. Some dogs love puzzle toys and mental challenges, while others are happier with something they can chew or carry around.
🐕 5. Safe, Comfortable Harness, Collar & Leash
From my experience, choosing the right walking gear can make a big difference in both safety and control. Some harnesses and collars are designed to help prevent dogs from slipping out, which is especially important for strong or easily startled dogs, and those are the types I personally recommend for safety.
Harness: A quality, comfortable properly fitted harness can make walks more comfortable and easier to manage—especially for dogs that tend to pull or get excited outdoors. If you have a dog that tries to wiggle out of their harness, search for an “escape proof” harness that has an extra strap towards the back.
Collar: I use and prefer safety martingale collars, as they can help prevent dogs from backing out of their collar while still being more gentle than traditional collars when used correctly.
Leash: Choose a lightweight leash for small dogs and a sturdier, heavier leash for larger dogs to ensure good control. Nylon leashes are strong and long-lasting. Some leashes also include a comfortable padded handle.
👉 My Tip: Avoid Retractable Leashes
I don’t recommend retractable leashes, as they can break and tangle easily and create safety issues and tripping hazards.
💡 Lisa’s Tip:
You don’t need a lot of products to care for a dog well… just the right ones. Focus on comfort, consistency, and routine, and you’ll make life easier for both you and your dog.
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