French White & Black Hound
Other names: Chien Français Blanc et Noir
This lustrous and leggy French hunting dog is an agile, high-stamina creature with a charming personality. In addition to the colours that give her that name, the French White and Black Hound can be commonly found to be embellished with patches of tan or ‘blue.’ She’s energetic and, although peace-loving, can be a bit much to handle for new owners. She’s also kind of rare, especially in the UK, with only 300-400 puppies born every year.
Key facts about the French White & Black Hound
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Origins and history
The Gascon Saintongeois is noted as a dominant ancestor in the lineage of this hound; the English Foxhound and Bleu de Gascogne are in there, too. Some say she was developed as a means of saving the ailing Saintongeoisie, while others proffer that her development was intended primarily to create a kind of scenthound ‘superdog.’ While she may be too modest to truly describe herself as Superdog, the French White and Black Hound is all the same a very super dog.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 6 - Scent hounds and related breeds
Section
Section 1 : Scent hounds
Physical characteristics of the French White & Black Hound
Adult size
Female : Between 24 and 27 in
Male : Between 26 and 28 in
Weight
Female : Between 55 and 66 lb
Male : Between 55 and 66 lb
Coat colour
White and black, just like it says on the wrapper. Black or blue speckles and tan dots above the eyes and on the facial cheeks are common.
Type of coat
Strong, short and dense.
Eye colour
Dark.
Description
This adorable creature combines lolloping with elegance, sleekness with strength, power with stone-cold huggability. Her large, proud head stretches into a lengthy nose, her soft ears cascade forwards from eye level to down below nose-level. She has a deep chest, a long neck, and a high tail.
Good to know
This dog is quite rare and you may need to visit our neighbours in France to track down an available pup.
Temperament
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66%
Affectionate
This is one pretty affectionate dog.
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66%
Playful
The French White and Black Hound loves to play.
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66%
Calm
She knows how to be calm after a day’s activity.
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100%
Intelligent
The French White and Black Hound is intelligent and learns quickly.
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100%
Hunter
Her fine nose and athletic capabilities make her an excellent hunter.
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66%
Fearful / wary of strangers
She is quite protective and wary of people she considers suspicious. Otherwise, she tends to get on well with new people if the proper introductions are made.
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100%
Independent
The French White and Black Hound has an independent nature, and can be a bit stubborn.
Behaviour of the French White & Black Hound
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33%
Tolerates solitude
She prefers company and should not be left for long periods.
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66%
Easy to train / obedience
She can be willful and stubborn if the mood takes her, and her strong instinct of predation needs to be channelled. However, she is keen to learn and will respond to commands.
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100%
Barking
The French White and Black Hound can be quite a barky dog, and the owner who teaches their dog to be quiet on demand during puppyhood will be a happier soul when cohabiting with the same dog as an adult.
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100%
Tendency to run away
Like any scenthound, she may be led astray by an intriguing smell – especially if she has not been well-exercised.
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66%
Destructive
She may become destructive if left alone for too long, and particularly if she is kept in a space that does not befit her stature and need for stimulation.
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33%
Guard dog
She is not aggressive and will not attack a burglar.
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66%
First dog
Her strength and stubborn side make her a difficult proposition for inexperienced owners.
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Is the French White & Black Hound right for you?
take the testLifestyle
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33%
French White & Black Hound in a flat
This is too much dog for the average apartment. She needs plenty of space indoors and outside.
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100%
Need for exercise / Sporty
The French White and Black Hound needs vigorous physical and mental exercise every day if she is to be happy, healthy, and well-behaved.
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66%
Travelling / easy to transport
She’s a bit of a whopper for public transport, but should remain calm and happy during car travel if skillfully acclimatized to the method from her youth.
Compatibility
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33%
French White & Black Hound and cats
The French White and Black Hound doesn’t call cats ‘cats’ – she calls them ‘prey.’ And they had better start praying.
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100%
French White & Black Hound and dogs
She is very good with other dogs; she loves the company of friendly dogs, and will calmly walk away from potential trouble with aggressive dogs.
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66%
French White & Black Hound and children
This dog is usually calm, gentle, and loving with (respectful) kids, although caution should be exercised among small children due to her size.
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33%
French White & Black Hound and the elderly
She requires a lot of daily exercise and can get a little boisterous, so elderly people should think twice before taking on a French White and Black Hound.
Price
The rarity of this breed means that we do not have enough data to set an average price for the French White and Black Hound.
Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £60 to £100 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
Regular but not excessive brushing is all that’s required for this dog. Her ears should be examined as they’re prone to infection if dirt is allowed to linger.
Shedding
She is a moderate shedder, and will moult twice a year.
Nutrition of the French White & Black Hound
Carefully measured meals divided over two sittings per day will keep this dog trim and healthy. It’s said that she also enjoys (and benefits from) cottage cheese, dried fruits, and boiled eggs (who doesn’t?) but treats should be administered with discretion.
Health of the French White & Black Hound
Life expectancy
This dog is well-bred and has an average lifespan of 11 years.
Strong / robust
This is a firm and sturdy dog.
Withstand heat
She is quite good in warmer temperatures but should not be exposed to excessive heat, and should always have ready access to fresh water and shade.
Withstand cold
She will tolerate moderate cold.
Tendency to put on weight
Her sporty nature allows her to maintain her shape.
Common illnesses
- Hip/elbow dysplasia
- Skin infections and allergies
- Eye problems
- Ear infections