The Welsh Hound, also known as the Welsh Foxhound, is a pack hunting dog that has been around for at least 200 years. Known for hunting hare in mountainous terrain, the breed has rarely been kept as a pet and instead has functioned mostly as a working animal. This said, in the right household they can function nicely as companions, assuming that the owner is prepared to handle their needs. As one might assume from this working hound breed, they are very active and without plenty of exercise (both physical and mental) they can quickly become bored and destructive! They also must be raised with other dogs, or at least socialize with other dogs regularly as they are somewhat hardwired to be in a pack. These are features that a prospective owner must be able to provide.

Welsh Hounds are smart and can be playfully devious. They require an owner who knows how to be firm and maintain house rules, as without this structure they are prone to taking over! Like many scenthounds they also possess a stubborn streak which means training may be more difficult, although they are capable of learning quickly when the trainer is skilled. It is recommended that all training be consistent yet interesting enough to hold their attention spans. Specifically, make sure to work on the recall from the time the dog is a puppy, as this is a skill which is harder for them to master when distractions are present. Aside from basic training, the breed also benefits from active mental games. Dog sports which would be a good match for this hound include canicross and agility.

The Welsh Hound is a rare breed although is slowly becoming more popular around the world due to their gentle natures and ability to coexist peacefully with children. They are loving and devoted to their owners while also being friendly with strangers. Furthermore, most have exceptional natural skills with other dogs. In the hunt, it was expected that these hounds would respond not only to the hunter, but would learn from and work with the other hounds in the pack as a single unit. Because of this they are very adept at reading the body language of other dogs and responding appropriately. Despite all their good features it must be emphasized again that this breed would not thrive in most pet homes! The Welsh Hound Association even mentions that “its irrepressible hunting instincts make the Welsh Hound totally unsuitable as a pet”. The truth lies somewhere in the middle – for the average pet home, they would be a horrible choice. For a hunter or very active and knowledgeable dog owner, they could function just fine.

Welsh Hounds are likely to exhibit boundless energy in the home and aren’t known for being lazy loungers. They need extensive daily exercise (in the form of jogging or similar intensity) in order to be happy and would be a horrible choice for an apartment! Not only are they too active for apartments, but they also would likely be too disruptive to close neighbors. The bark/bay of the Welsh Hound is a characteristic of the breed. It was important for it to be loud enough to carry long distances and alert the hunter of the pack’s position and status. However, what was beneficial for the hunt is not as easily appreciated when living in close proximity to other people! In addition to being loud in volume, they are known for using their voices excessively, particularly when bored or lonely. Along with needing to live with other dogs, they also don’t do well when left home alone for long periods of time.

The protective harsh coat of the Welsh Hound sets him apart from other foxhound breeds. It is medium in length and very rough and oily in texture. Occasionally a hound with a smoother coat can be seen but this isn’t nearly as common. The color can be fawn, tan, black, red, white and/or “mixed”. Aside from the coat, this dog is very foxhound-like in appearance and is medium to large in size with a straight, square muzzle. The hanging ears are long and low set. The tail is long, set on high and carried gaily. Although rare, they are recognized by the UKC in the United States and by other organizations overseas.

The Chien d’Artois is a French scenthound bred to hunt deer, hare and wild boar in small packs. Descended from Bloodhounds, they were valued for their tirelessly dedicated natures, brave characters, and abilities to work in all types of terrain. It was not uncommon for them to follow a trail for hours on end – so greatly do they enjoy the hunt! This very old breed existed as far back as the Renaissance and was, at times, owned by royalty! After World War two, however, numbers drastically dwindled and this hound was thought to be all but extinct. Thankfully, French fanciers were able to find a few remaining members and recreated the breed in the 1970’s.

The medium-sized Chien is a likely forebearer of the Beagle and one can see the physical similarities in the rounded head, square muzzle, and long hanging ears which are rounded at the tips. The coat is short and tricolored. The long tail also includes a brush at the end, like the Beagle, although is carried in more of a sickle fashion. In addition to their physical similarities, the two breeds also share the same laid back natures and friendly personalities. In France, Chien still hunt but have also been becoming more popular as companion animals as well! Although their numbers have been rising in their country of origin as more of the general public becomes aware of their wonderful temperaments, they are still fairly unknown in the rest of the world. Although recognized by the UKC in the United States, they are rarely seen.

Like most scenthounds, the d’Artois can have a stubborn and strong-willed personality which means owners must have plenty of patience when it comes to training. They also are more likely than other dogs to become easily distracted, and are known to become highly independent once they’ve found something they’d rather be doing. The breed is actually exceptionally smart, however following orders isn’t normally a huge interest. Owners must be prepared to be firm yet fair, and practice constant consistency. Those who have owned other scenthounds in the past will probably have an easier time managing this hound.

Chien d’Artois are extremely loving hounds which develop deep and loyal bonds with their human families. They love to play and will demonstrate lots of affection in their everyday lives. They do well with kids as well as other dogs, and may even get along with other pets if socialized to them from an early age. They can even make good watchdogs as they will bark when someone comes near the property.

The Chien is a high energy breed and needs an active owner that is able to give him plenty of exercise every day – at least an hour a day. If used regularly as a hunting dog he may not need quite as much exercise as he will tire himself out in a full day’s hunt… at least for a few days after the hunt. But for the majority of owners wanting this breed strictly as a companion, they should plan accordingly. Giving him stimulating mind games will also help to tire him out as well, and this should be in combination with physical exercise. Finally, make sure that all exercise is carried out on-leash – he will most certainly wander off otherwise!

The d’Artois possesses many aspects that make him appreciated as a hunting dog – most notably his amazing sense of smell. It can’t be stressed enough that he lives to hunt and would gladly do so every day of his life! Nothing makes him happier. If one is being kept strictly as a pet, that hound will almost definitely find ways to hunt if he can. This might take the form of chasing squirrels or tracking the trail of a possum on a walk. It’s highly recommended that owners give this hound scent-related games and activities to keep him satisfied and give him a job to do.

The Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hound is a pack-hunting scenthound breed, and the last of the seven Anglo-French Hounds to be profiled in this blog. Created by mixing Poitevins with English Foxhounds, they were bred to hunt a variety of game both large and small although specialized in larger game. They are known for their excellent work ethic when it comes to hunting, their fantastic endurance, and their adaptability to all types of terrain and climate. Like all scenthounds, they have a well-developed sense of smell. The “Great” in their name refers not to the size of the dog but rather by the size of the game that they primarily were used on. These hounds are rare in the United States although are more well-known overseas, where they are recognized by the FCI and the French Kennel Club. While they are recognized by the UKC in America, they are seen only infrequently.

Anglo-French Tricolors have been primarily bred for hunting and are rarely used as pets. While they can become a pet in the right circumstances, prospective owners should realize the unique needs that make them difficult to own by the general public. First and foremost, these hounds have boundless energy and need an extreme amount of exercise! Furthermore they cannot be let off lead in most circumstances as they will bolt after animals perceived as prey (or even the lingering scent of an animal). This is fine in a country setting when they are actually being used for hunting, but is a recipe for disaster in most city or suburban areas. Don’t even think about keeping this energetic hound in an apartment! Not only does an apartment not provide enough room, but neighbors will quickly become annoyed when the hound begins baying daily – a common trait of the breed.

As pack hounds, Great Anglo-French Tricolors prefer to live with other dogs. In fact, it was not uncommon for packs of several dozen to be kept together in their country of origin! Unsurprisingly, this social and happy-go-lucky hound needs almost constant company and doesn’t do well when left all alone. A prospective owner really shouldn’t consider this breed unless they plan to have at least a few hounds, which adds to the overall commitment and possible frustrations of such a scenario. To put this into perspective for a hound in a pet home – imagine a situation in which many hounds live together… and a raccoon wanders next to the fence. Even with only three or four hounds, the determination and relentless nature of all hounds baying and charging the fence is not the type of situation that most pet homes can handle!

Great Anglo-French Tricolor Hounds usually get along well with children when socialized to them, although are recommended only for families with older kids because of their high exuberance. They are affectionate and loyal with their owners while remaining fairly aloof towards strangers, although usually don’t make good watchdogs. Protecting their property isn’t normally high on their list of priorities as they would much rather patrol the yard for wild animals or even wandering cats. For obvious reasons this hound is usually not good in homes with felines. An indoor cat may or may not be safe if the hound was raised with it as a puppy, but each additional household hound increases the chances of an unhappy incident.

As might be surmised from the name, the Anglo-French Tricolor Hound is always tricolor although he can appear either with a black blanket over the body or black patches throughout. The tan is always clear and bright in color. This is a large, robust yet athletic breed with a short coat that requires brushing once or twice a week. Nails should be kept short as well as part of the regular maintenance, and ears should be cleaned weekly. After any hunting excursion (or hiking, or similar “field trip”) it’s also important to examine the hound’s ears and coat for injuries or parasites such as ticks.

The Anglo-French Tricolor needs very little special training to hunt, as he does this fairly instinctively, although he should receive an “education” in the form of obedience as well. He generally learns commands quickly and enjoys pleasing his owner, although will be less likely to work for a person whom he doesn’t respect. He tends to be very stubborn and has no qualms about refusing commands when he doesn’t feel like working (or when he thinks he can get away with it). An owner needs to be firm, patient and even more stubborn than the dog! Even if the hound is never used for actual hunting, it makes sense to sprinkle in related “jobs” to his training repertoire that mimic using his nose. Do this to make him happy and give him purpose! Without enough mental stimulation he can become hyperactive, unruly and destructive.

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The Styrian Coarse Haired Hound hails from Austria. The breed was created in the 1870’s by combining the Hanoverian Scenthound with the Istrian Coarse-Haired Hound. This hardy scenthound specializes in wild boar hunting and blood tracking, and can do so in rugged mountain terrain. Not normally kept as pets, they have been bred primarily for work and not companionship. This doesn’t mean one can’t make a good pet – just that it will take the right owner and the right situation in order for the dog’s needs to be met (and for the owner to be happy). Styrians require firm, active owners that live on large properties and are willing to provide plenty of mental stimulation.

The Styrian is recognized abroad by the Austrian Kennel Club and by the FCI. In its home country, the breed’s parent club and hunt club oversees all matings and makes sure that natural hunting ability stays alive and well in the bloodlines. Here in the United States it is recognized by the UKC but is a very rare breed, in part because of the high activity level and difficulty “fitting in” to the suburban or urban lifestyles that many pet parents expect.

Styrian Coarse Hairs are medium in size but are capable of doing a lot of destructive damage if not given enough exercise – mental or physical! They need to be given ample opportunities to run and play, and be provided with all sorts of stimulating activities and/or games to play. They need a minimum of one full hour per day of vigorous action – and will take more if given! The coursing ability test, designed to test a dog’s chase drive and running ability, would be a great sport for this breed that already enjoys the thrill of the run. Even more obvious – hunt tests and… well, taking the dog hunting in general are the absolute best ways to engage this breed.

Styrians can be ok in homes with older children although aren’t generally recommended for toddlers. When it comes to other dogs, they can take them or leave them. If wanting to include one in a multi-dog household, it is best to get him from a puppy and raise him with the other dog for best results. Finally, the breed doesn’t usually get along with smaller pets at all because of a high prey drive.

The Styrian Coarse Haired Hound is suspicious of strangers and can have a dominant streak towards his owners, particularly when he isn’t given clear boundaries. For these reasons he should only be owned by experienced dog people who understand how to handle this bossy hound. He needs to be given socialization early on, and obedience training must be started from puppyhood and continued throughout his life. Training itself will likely prove a difficult undertaking as this hound is stubborn and independent. An owner must be prepared to be consistent and firm while training. As if this isn’t enough, the breed is also highly vocal and is known for frequent and boisterous howling sessions – a trait that is not likely to be tamed too much with training.

The Styrian Coarse Hair can find the bustling and busy life of the average family a bit too much to take in. He may become anxious when inundated with nonstop loud sounds and crowds of people. He definitely doesn’t enjoy strangers visiting the home on a regular basis and may express his displeasure by acting out. While he can face a wild boar with ease and even excitement, he is much more in his element when hunting outside rather than being pushed into a chaotic urban setting. Prospective owners are urged to consider their lifestyle before thinking of adding this breed to their home.

Styrian Coarse Haired Hounds are best recognized by their coats, which are (as evidenced by the name) coarse without being shaggy. The coat on the head is shorter but the dogs will often still have a “stylish” mustache. They have hanging ears that lay flat to the head and are never overly large. To complete the picture, they should also possess a serious expression – one that befits these rugged hunters. This is a hard working breed which takes their hunting job seriously, and their appearance definitely reflects this!

One might ask what the benefit to such a difficult breed might be? Well, besides being superb at their original jobs, they are undeniably loyal and affectionate to their owners. In the right home they can make wonderful pets – as long as their needs are met. They are natural watch dogs and will always alert to the arrival of someone on the property, acting as a deterrent to would-be intruders without actually being dangerous animals. They are also very healthy hounds not known for frequent health issues. Finally, they are easy to groom and the harsh coat requires only a once-weekly brushing to keep it looking sharp. Baths should be very infrequent. For the hunter or active outdoorsy (rural) person, this can be a match made in heaven!

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The Grand Gascon-Saintongeois is a French breed, created from the now-extinct Saintongeois Hound and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. A man named Baron Joseph de Carayon-LaTour came into ownership of some of the last surviving Saintongeois Hounds (most, if not all others, were killed during the French Revolution). These dogs were bred with the Grand Bleus from a kennel owned by the Baron de Ruble, and the resulting matings spurred from two men formed the basis of this new breed. The Grand Gascon came into existence in the mid-19th century and today is a powerful scenthound with an amazing sense of smell and incredible persistence in the hunt. The breed specializes in hunting large game such as wild boar, deer and fox – and can do so even in dense vegetation.

Grand Gascons have several qualities that are seen in many scenthounds. Their deep, powerful voices can be heard from far distances which is a blessing in the hunt but possibly unsavory for those living in close proximity to their neighbors! Also like many scenthounds, they were bred to hunt both individually as well as in packs, which means they’re generally very dog-friendly. When it comes to smaller pets, however, they might not be as trustworthy as they have a strong prey drive. Cat owners be forewarned.

The Grand Gascon-Saintongeois is intelligent, particularly when it comes to hunting strategy. Off the field, however, he wants to please and can be quite obedient and even easy to train (for a scenthound)! Obedience training is an absolute necessity to make sure this large hound understands and abides by the rules of the household. Puppies should be trained to accept being alone in a crate – a skill that is invaluable to most dogs. As the Grand Gascon doesn’t like to be left home alone, he needs to learn that sometimes this is an inevitability. While the breed doesn’t do well for extended periods of alone-time day after day, he should learn that a few hours alone won’t kill him!

The Grand Gascon tends to carry himself in a dignified manner in the home, being calm and gentle with people. He is affectionate to his owners and patient when it comes to children. With strangers, he may be much more guarded until he gets to know them. Early socialization is necessary to keep him from becoming overly shy towards new people. When brought up in the correct way, however, he is an extremely sweet and loving dog who can make a wonderful companion.

Grand Gascon-Saintongeois need to live in a home with a large fenced yard. Alternatively they can be kept as outdoor kennel dogs but only as long as they are exercised daily and also taken out hunting on an extremely regular basis. These hounds need to run (and ideally hunt)! They make horrible apartment dogs because of their loud voices, large size, and need for space. Because they have always been primarily working (hunting) hounds, they have the high energy and stamina that one might expect from such a breed. As a whole, the Grand Gascon is generally a very healthy breed.

The coat of the Grand Gascon is short and tight, and is very easy to care for requiring only very infrequent bathing and brushing. It sheds only moderately. The color is always tricolor – with a white base, larger black patches and tan points. One of the most characteristic traits of this breed are the long hanging ears. Attached very low to the head, they should be exceedingly long and should reach to, or past, the point of the nose! The body should have tons of substance and plenty of muscle, and the chest should be deep. The tail is long and carried in a saber fashion.

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