Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et NoirCharacteristics, history, training and care

The FCI standard says the breed comes from the “Bâtard Anglo-Saintongeois”, a type that appeared in the mid-19th century from crossing the Saintongeois hound with the Foxhound. Wikipedia says that in 1957 all the Anglo-French hound breeds were officially given the name “Anglo-Français”.

The standard says the breed numbers about 2,000 dogs, with about 200 births a year, and makes up the packs of more than twenty roe deer hunts and one stag hunt.

How the breed developed

• Mid-19th century – The “Bâtard Anglo-Saintongeois” appears.
• 1957 – The Anglo-French hounds are officially given the name “Anglo-Français”.
• 27 January 1983 – The FCI recognises the breed.
• 4 November 2008 – the current FCI standard is published.
• Today – it is used almost only in packs, for hunting big game.

Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“friendly, close to people, easy to handle in the kennel”) and on its role as a pack hound.

It is a large pack hound, lean and muscular, with long legs. Wikipedia describes it as a typical French hound.

General appearance

The standard describes it as a large, fairly powerful, hardy and robust dog with strong bones, recalling its Gascon-Saintongeois origin. The head is strong and fairly short. Wikipedia says it has long legs, long hanging ears and a long tail.

The coat must be white and black: a black mantle and more or less extensive black patches, with black or bluish ticking. A pale tan spot above each eye and pale tan on the cheeks, under the eyes and under the ears. The “roe deer mark” on the thigh appears quite often.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

• Only about 2,000 dogs. The standard says about 200 puppies are born each year.
• A deer specialist. It excels at hunting stag and roe deer on wet or scrubby ground.
• The “roe deer mark”. It often has a tan patch on the thigh called the “roe deer mark”.
• “Grand” does not necessarily mean big. Wikipedia says “Grand” usually denotes a pack for big game.
• A Foxhound ancestor. It descends from the Saintongeois hound and the English Foxhound.

How big does it get?

Males measure 65–72 cm and females 62–68 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?

White with a black mantle and patches, with pale tan markings on the head.