PoitevinCharacteristics, history, training and care
Poitevin. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
The Poitevin is a large French pack hound from the province of Poitou, very distinguished, combining strength, elegance and lightness. It was created in the 17th century for wolf hunting. Wikipedia says it looks like a mix of Foxhound and Greyhound.
Quick facts
| Common name | Poitevin (Chien de Haut-Poitou) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | France |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 30 September 1963 (group 6, large-sized hounds, with working trial; standard no. 24) |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–12 years |
| Size (males) | 62–72 cm at the withers; 20.5–30.5 kg according to Wikipedia |
| Size (females) | 60–70 cm at the withers; 20.5–30.5 kg according to Wikipedia |
| Coat type | Short, glossy |
| Common colours | Tricolour with a black saddle or large black patches; sometimes white and orange |
| Energy level | Very high |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | A pack dog, passionate about hunting |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Good with other dogs (lives in a pack); poor with small animals |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
Wikipedia says the Poitevins descend from 12 English staghounds given to the Dauphin of France in 1692. Some of their descendants passed to François de Larrye, Marquis of Haut-Poitou, who crossed them with local hounds and obtained strong, athletic tricolour dogs, used for wolf hunting.
During the French Revolution, the Marquis de Larrye was beheaded in 1793, the pack was scattered and the breed almost disappeared. The brothers Emile and Arthur de la Besage rebuilt it, but in 1842 rabies almost destroyed their pack. The breed was saved with English Foxhounds, in a careful crossbreeding programme.
How the breed developed
- 1692 – 12 English hounds are given to the Dauphin of France.
- 17th century – The Marquis de Larrye creates the breed for wolf hunting.
- 1793 – The marquis is beheaded; the breed almost disappears.
- 1842 – Rabies almost destroys the de la Besage brothers' pack.
- 30 September 1963 – The FCI recognises the breed.
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 hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★☆☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile, so the rating is based on the FCI standard and Wikipedia.
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a very distinguished hound, combining strength, elegance and lightness to the highest degree. Wikipedia says it is a refined, athletic hound with sighthound features.
General appearance
The hair is short and glossy. Wikipedia says that, in appearance, it looks like a mix of Foxhound and Greyhound.
| Feature | Poitevin |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 62–72 cm; females: 60–70 cm |
| Weight | 20.5–30.5 kg (Wikipedia) |
| Coat | Short, glossy |
| Colour | Tricolour |
| Type | Pack hound |
The colour is tricolour with a black saddle or tricolour with large black patches; sometimes white and orange. A “wolf” coat (grizzle) is fairly common.
Training and socialisation
It is a pack dog, bred for hunting, with a very strong instinct to follow a trail.
It lives well alongside other dogs, but needs an owner who hunts or can give it plenty of exercise and activity for its nose.
Tips for effective training
- Practise the recall. Its nose can take it a long way.
- Keep it on the lead. Its hunting instinct is very strong.
- Do not keep it alone. It is a pack dog.
- Think of the neighbours. Hounds give voice on the trail.
Activity needs and lifestyle
As a pack hound created for wolf hunting, it needs a great deal of exercise every day.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks | daily | Stamina |
| Scent work | several times a week | Hound instinct |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- It is best suited to hunters.
- It needs a lot of space.
- It gets on well with other dogs.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The short, glossy coat is brushed once a week with a rubber mitt. The ears are checked regularly.
Common health problems
No health studies have been published for the breed and no specific diseases are known. As with any hound with hanging ears, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Ear infections | Infections of the ears | Head shaking, bad smell, red ears |
| Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) | The stomach fills with gas and may twist; this is a veterinary emergency | Swollen belly, trying to vomit without success, drooling, restlessness |
Other care
- Check the ears after hunting.
- Check for ticks after outings in nature.
- Check the paws.
Diet and nutrition
A pack hound needs a lot of energy, especially during the hunting season.
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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 kg | 1,060 kcal | 1,190 kcal | 260–340 g |
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 g |
| 30 kg | 1,440 kcal | 1,620 kcal | 360–460 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Do not let it run right after a meal.
- 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
- A wolf hunter. It was created for wolf hunting.
- 12 royal dogs. The breed started from 12 hounds given to the Dauphin of France.
- Saved by two brothers. The de la Besage brothers rebuilt the breed after the Revolution.
- Foxhound and sighthound. Wikipedia says it looks like a mix of the two.
- “Wolf” colour. The grizzle coat appears fairly often.
Frequently asked questions
What did the Poitevin hunt?
It was created for wolf hunting.
How big does it get?
Males measure 62–72 cm, females 60–70 cm.
Is it a family dog?
It is mainly a pack dog for hunters.
What colours does it come in?
Mostly tricolour, sometimes white and orange.
