Poitevin
Other names: Poitevin Hound, Chien de Haut-Poitou, Haut-Poitou

Bred in the French region of Poitou, the Poitevin Hound is primarily a working and hunting dog, capable of travelling up to 60 km a day. Strong, muscular and agile, this dog is a true athlete and thrives living a highly active lifestyle with plenty of mental stimulation. Rarely kept as a companion pet, the Poitevin is now a fairly rare breed outside of its native France.
Key facts about the Poitevin
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Origins and history
Bred from a combination of two popular French scent hound in Poitou, France, in 1692, the Poitevin Hound was a popular hunting dog throughout the 17th century, but hasn’t had the easiest of times since! Just managing to survive an outbreak of rabies during the 19th century, it is now an extremely rare breed, with some even considering it an endangered species.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 1 : Scent hounds
Physical characteristics of the Poitevin
Adult size
Female : Between 24 and 28 in
Male : Between 24 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 66 and 73 lb
Male : Between 66 and 77 lb
Coat colour
Type of coat
Eye colour
Description
Sleek and lean yet muscular, the Poitevin Hound is a true canine athlete. The legs are surprisingly powerful, with noticeable thigh muscles, while the neck is slim and long. The Poitevin’s head is flat and long with a long muzzle and strong jaw, wide black nose and large, round black-rimmed eyes. The ears are long and are set low and floppy.
Good to know
Avid hunters in France used to preach that the Poitevin was the best hunting breed in the world, especially when it came to foxes.
Temperament
Behaviour of the Poitevin
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Is the Poitevin right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
The Poitevin Hound is a rare breed and is therefore extremely difficult to find within the UK. We do not have enough data to set an average price.
Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £100 to £130 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
If there’s one easy thing about the Poitevin Hound, it’s grooming! With a short, easy-care coat, all that’s needed is a weekly brush. Ideally, this breed shouldn't be bathed too often - for the most part, a wipe-over with a damp cloth should suffice.
If your Poitevin Hound spends a lot of time roaming outdoors (which, ideally, it should), remember to check for ticks and parasites regularly.
Shedding
The Poitevin sheds moderately throughout the year.
Nutrition of the Poitevin
This breed requires a high-quality, complete and balanced active dog breed food. Due to their high energy requirements, it will require more food than your average dog, so do be aware of the costs involved before taking one on.
Health of the Poitevin
Life expectancy
The lifespan of a Poitevin is approximately 13 years.
Strong / robust
This is a strong, hardy and robust breed.
Withstand heat
The Poitevin Hound can tolerate warm temperatures well, but will still need constant access to shade and cold water.
Withstand cold
While the Poitevin Hound is hardy and will cope well in cold weather, although it doesn’t have a thick coat and shouldn’t be kept outside in bad weather.
Tendency to put on weight
This breed is very active, and isn’t especially prone to weight gain.
Common illnesses
- Ear infections
- Eye problems