Chien Français TricoloreCharacteristics, history, training and care
Chien Français Tricolore. · Abujoy / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Chien Français Tricolore is a large, elegant French hound, tricoloured, with a black mantle and bright tan markings. It is used in packs to hunt big game, always directed by the hunter. It is a typical French hound, lean, muscular and long-legged.
Quick facts
| Common name | Chien Français Tricolore |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 15 December 1959 (group 6, large-sized hounds, with working trial; standard no. 219) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–13 years |
| Size (males) | 62–72 cm at the withers |
| Size (females) | 60–68 cm at the withers |
| Weight | The standard gives no figure |
| Coat type | Short and fairly fine |
| Common colours | Tricolour, with a black mantle and bright or coppery tan; the “wolf” colour is also accepted |
| Energy level | Very high |
| Suited to an apartment? | No; it is a pack dog |
| Temperament | A pack dog; the standard calls for dogs that are neither aggressive nor fearful |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Very good with other dogs; strong hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The Chien Français Tricolore is a large French hound, bred for hunting big game in a pack. Wikipedia explains that the pack always works under human direction and does not hunt on its own.
The standard regards any trace of crossing with English hounds as a fault, in order to preserve the breed's French type.
How the breed developed
- 15 December 1959 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 1 August 2023 – the current FCI standard is published.
- Today – it is used almost only in packs, for hunting big game.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Independence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★☆☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★☆☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★☆☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★★★ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★☆ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★☆☆ |
| Shedding | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★★ |
| Energy level | ★★★★★ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★★ |
| Good pack hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★☆☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile and the FCI standard does not describe its temperament, so the rating is only a rough guide, based on its role as a pack hound.
Physical characteristics
It is a large pack hound, lean and muscular, with long legs. Wikipedia describes it as a typical French hound.
General appearance
The head is elongated, with a visible occipital bump. The large, brown eyes, sometimes ringed with black, have an intelligent expression. The ears are broader than the Poitevin's. The fairly long tail is carried high and elegantly.
| Feature | Chien Français Tricolore |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 62–72 cm; females: 60–68 cm |
| Coat | Short and fairly fine |
| Ears | Long, drooping, slightly twisted |
The coat is tricolour, with a more or less extensive black mantle and bright tan, even coppery. The grey-speckled “wolf” colour (in French, “louvard”) is also accepted.
Training and socialisation
It is bred almost exclusively for pack hunting, always led by a person. The dogs do not hunt alone, but together, at the hunter's command.
As with all hounds, a scent can make it forget commands, so the recall needs a lot of practice.
Tips for effective training
- Keep it in company. It is used to living and working in a pack.
- Practise the recall. On a scent, it can forget about you.
- Use rewards. Praise and food motivate it.
- Work with its nose. Scent games use its instinct.
Activity needs and lifestyle
It is a hardy hunter, bred for long days in the field. It needs a great deal of exercise and is not suited to city life.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks in nature | daily | Its stamina calls for a lot of exercise |
| Scent work | several times a week | Uses its hound instinct |
| Time with other dogs | daily | It is a pack dog |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is suited almost only to hunters who keep packs.
- It needs a large, fenced space.
- Its hound bark carries a long way.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short coat is easy to keep, with one brushing a week.
Common health problems
There are no known inherited diseases specific to the breed. The long ears should be checked often, especially after hunting.
Other care
- Check the ears after every outing.
- Check for ticks after hunting.
- Check the paws after rough ground.
Diet and nutrition
A large hound that hunts needs a lot of energy during the season. Weigh it, because the standard gives no weight.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 g |
| 30 kg | 1,440 kcal | 1,620 kcal | 360–460 g |
| 35 kg | 1,610 kcal | 1,810 kcal | 400–520 g |
- Give it its food in two meals a day to reduce the risk of bloat.
- Increase the portion on days of hard exercise.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- The “wolf colour”. As well as tricolour, the grey-speckled colour “louvard”, meaning “wolf-like”, is accepted.
- No English blood. The standard regards any trace of crossing with English hounds as a fault.
- Elegant. The standard describes it as a large, elegant pack hound.
- Broader ears. Its ears are broader than those of the Poitevin hound.
- It hunts under human direction. The pack always works under the hunter's direction.
Frequently asked questions
How big does it get?
Males measure 62–72 cm and females 60–68 cm at the withers.
Is it suited to being a pet?
Not really. It is a pack dog, bred for hunting.
What kind of hunting is it used for?
For hunting big game, in a pack.
What colour is it?
Tricolour, with a black mantle and bright tan; the “wolf” colour is also accepted.
