French White and Black Hound
Also known as Blanc et noir
- Height at the withers
- 62 to 72 cm
- Weight
- 30 to 35 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10 to 12 years
- Daily activity
- 120 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
- 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
A large, distinguished and well-balanced pack hound (chien d’ordre), with a short coat that must be white and black, often ticked with black or blue, the French White and Black Hound is a keen-nosed, diligent and serious hunter with a fine voice. Highly valued by roe deer hunts, friendly and close to people, it lives in a pack in kennels and is not meant to be a companion dog.
History and origins
It descends from the Saintonge hound, whose origin remains uncertain but which probably owes much to the white “greffier” hounds of the 16th century. The current type appeared in the second half of the 19th century and was later refreshed with Poitevin and Gascon Saintongeois blood. Given a standard in 1957, revised in 2007 by the Club du chien d’ordre, it is recognized by the FCI (standard no. 220). Its population, estimated at about two thousand dogs in the late 2000s, lives almost entirely in hunting packs, which explains why individual LOF registrations are almost nonexistent (one in 2024, none in 2025).
Health
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Hunting injuries (brambles, wild boar)
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
- Tick-borne diseases (piroplasmosis)
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: white and black with a blanket, white and black patched, black or bluish ticking, small tan markings on the legs.
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
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 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 White and Black Hound FAQ
How big does the French White and Black Hound get?
The French White and Black Hound stands 62 to 72 cm at the withers and weighs 30 to 35 kg. It is a large dog.
Does the French White and Black Hound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the French White and Black 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 White and Black 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 White and Black Hound good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the French White and Black Hound live?
Life expectancy is 10 to 12 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are hunting injuries and hip dysplasia.
