The Billy is a French breed, originating in the 19th century. This is a pack-hunting scenthound which was used on deer and wild boar – a job which they still do today. All of the breeds originally used to create the Billy are now extinct but these particular hounds are still in existence, albeit in small numbers and mostly in France. They are recognized by the UKC here in the United States although are a rare breed. This is a large, active hound that does best in a space where he can really stretch his legs. Apartment-dwelling prospective owners need not apply.
Billys are not the best choice for those who live in high-traffic areas and want an off-leash dog. With their high prey drive and surprising speed, they can easily run into the street and get injured or killed within seconds. This is one reason why they tend to do best in country settings versus a city. While one can live in an urban environment with a Billy, one must spend even more time exercising (on-leash!) and should ideally also find a fenced in area for the dog to visit frequently for romping/playing. Combining this with the fact that the breed much prefers being outside in wide open spaces, it becomes even harder to find a compatible home/owner living in the city.
The Billy does best with a medium to high amount of exercise daily. Having a fenced yard for him to run in is ideal, but must also be supplemented by a long daily walk or similar activity. Of course, the most ideal form of exercise is letting him go hunting! Activities which stimulate his brain as well as his body are also helpful – which can be accomplished by hunting, training or participating in dog sports. He can be a versatile dog capable of learning and competing in a number of different venues…assuming that his human puts in the time. He was built and bred to spend a lot of time engaging in active outdoor pursuits! 
The coat of the Billy is short, yet harsh to the touch. Shedding is often minimal, especially if brushed on a regular basis. If one were to put off the chore of brushing for weeks at a time they would notice the dog shedding more frequently. Overall, however, this is a low-maintenance breed when it comes to grooming. Don’t forget about trimming nails or cleaning ears, but otherwise brushing and baths are simple and quick tasks compared to many other dogs! The breed is normally white or off-white in color, with patches of orange or lemon markings. Because the fur is fairly short he may require a dog coat when outside in very cold temperatures, otherwise this is a fairly hardy breed.
Billys are loyal to their owners and social with other people – even strangers (which makes them poor guard dogs). They are usually very good with children and exceptional with other dogs… provided they have been raised with them. There can be some same-sex fighting in a household pack as they do rely quite heavily on pack dynamics and pecking order. This will often sort itself out but not always. Opposite-sex pairings may be a smarter way to go for owners that don’t want to risk fights. As hunting dogs they are brave and courageous when facing adversaries such as wild boar – they won’t back down easily during a hunt. Their prey drive does mean that they may not get along well with small pets or scurrying wildlife!
The Billy is trainable when an owner puts in the effort and starts young. He is intelligent although he may also be willful and stubborn when it comes to obedience training so patience is important! Also, he is easily distracted by interesting scents. Because independent-minded hounds such as the Billy are a bit more challenging to train than the average dog, he may not make the best pet for a first-time dog owner. This said, when given “the basics” this is a fairly easy dog to have around the house, with a gentle and easy-going personality.
