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English Foxhound vs Italian Greyhound

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

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The bottom line

English Foxhound vs Italian Greyhound

People compare English Foxhounds and Italian Greyhounds because the names both say “hound” and they’ve got that lean, leggy silhouette. But that’s where the family resemblance ends. Think of it like comparing a pickup truck to a sports car. both get you places, but one’s built for rugged terrain and the other’s all elegance and speed on smooth pavement. The English Foxhound is a social, full-throated pack animal. At 70 pounds, it lives to run, with energy that won’t quit and a bark that announces your presence to the entire countryside. It’s gentle with kids and thrives on routine, training, and long days outdoors. ideal for active families or hunters who want a dog that works as hard as they do. But you can’t just park this dog in an apartment and hope for the best. It needs space, stimulation, and company; left alone too long, it’ll howl the walls down. The Italian Greyhound, at just 10 pounds, is a delicate soul. It’s affectionate and clever but spooked by loud chaos. It’s fine with mild barking and moderate energy, curling up on your lap after a quick sprint. Great for apartments and seniors, yes. but not for homes with toddlers who don’t know their own strength. These dogs break. Literally. One misstep on a slippery floor and you’re facing a leg fracture. Here’s the real talk: the English Foxhound won’t cling to you like a shadow. It loves the pack, but as part of a group, not as your personal emotional support animal. The Italian Greyhound? It will follow you room to room, sleep under your sheets, and tremble if you raise your voice. That’s not a quirk. It’s the heart of the breed. Pick based on whose shadow you want to be.

English Foxhound
Italian Greyhound
23–25 in
Height
13–15 in
60–75 lb
Weight
7–14 lb
10–13 yr
Lifespan
14–15 yr
$1.0–2.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#188
AKC popularity
#73

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
English Foxhound Italian Greyhound
Overlay

Where they diverge

Good with Young Children
English Foxhound is better with kids (2-point difference)
English
Barking Level
Italian Greyhound barks less (2-point difference)
Italian
Drooling Level
Italian Greyhound drools less (1-point difference)
Italian
Good with Strangers
Italian Greyhound is friendlier with strangers (1-point difference)
Italian
Energy Level
English Foxhound has more energy (1-point difference)
English
The verdict

Choose the English Foxhound if…

  • Hunters and equestrian households
  • Active families
  • Rural environments
  • You value good with young childrenEnglish Foxhound scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Italian Greyhound if…

  • Apartment dwellers
  • Seniors
  • Gentle families
  • You value good with strangersItalian Greyhound scores higher here.
English Foxhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your English Foxhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Italian Greyhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Italian Greyhound home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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