Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound
Also known as Bâtard anglo-saintongeois (former name)
- 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 powerful, tireless large scent hound, the Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound has a white coat with a large black saddle or broad black patches, and pale tan markings above the eyes and on the cheeks. It excels at hunting red deer and roe deer with hounds in dense or wet country. Friendly, close to people and easy to manage in kennels, it lives in a pack with French hunts and is almost never a companion dog.
History and origins
The breed traces back to the Bâtard anglo-saintongeois, a type that appeared in the mid-19th century from crosses between the Saintonge hound and the English Foxhound, to combine the nose and voice of the French hound with the speed and stamina of the English dog. There are around 2,000 of these dogs, making up the packs of some twenty roe deer hunts and one red deer hunt. Recognized by the FCI under no. 323, it is bred within the hunts themselves, so registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) vary widely from year to year: 33 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 (cuts, sprains)
- Ear infections
- Hip dysplasia
- Gastric torsion (bloat)
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 large saddle, white with black patches, pale tan markings.
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
- Avoid, 1 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
Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound FAQ
How big does the Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound get?
The Great Anglo-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 Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound shed a lot?
It sheds moderately and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Great Anglo-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 Great Anglo-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 Great Anglo-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 Great Anglo-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 ear infections.
