French Tricolour Hound
Also known as Chien français tricolore
- Height at the withers
- 60 to 72 cm
- Weight
- 30 to 35 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 13 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a sporty owner: running, hiking, canicross
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- a sedentary life: plan on 120 minutes of activity a day
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
Overview
An elegant, well-muscled large pack hound with a tricolor coat and bright, sometimes coppery tan markings, the French Tricolour Hound is a pack dog created for grande vénerie, the French tradition of hunting big game with hounds: red deer, roe deer and wild boar. Brave, tireless and blessed with a very keen nose, it lives in a hunt pack alongside other hounds. It is not a companion dog, and neither apartment life nor being left home alone suits it.
History and origins
It was established in the 1950s by huntsmen who wanted a more French type of pack hound, less marked by English blood than the Anglo-French hounds, starting from tricolor Anglo-French hounds refreshed with Poitevin and Billy blood. Its standard became official in the 1960s, and the breed is recognized by the FCI (standard no. 219, revised in 2023). Well represented in French hunting packs, it almost never appears in individual registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF): 115 in 2024, none in 2025.
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus
- Ear infections
- Hunting injuries (wild boar, fences)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Moderate shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: tricolor with a more or less extensive saddle, bright or coppery tan, “louvard” (wolf-gray) hair allowed.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- Boundless, 5 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Very poorly, 1 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Fair, 3 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Avoid, 1 out of 5
- With strangers
- Polite, 3 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Very hard, 1 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Not advised, 1 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Moderate, 3 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Very vocal, 5 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
French Tricolour Hound FAQ
How big does the French Tricolour Hound get?
The French Tricolour Hound stands 60 to 72 cm at the withers and weighs 30 to 35 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the French Tricolour Hound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the French Tricolour Hound live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the French Tricolour Hound need each day?
Allow about 120 minutes of activity a day: its energy is boundless. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the French Tricolour Hound good with children?
Fairly well, preferably with children old enough to respect its limits. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the French Tricolour Hound live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 13 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hip dysplasia and gastric dilatation-volvulus.
