The French Tricolour Hound is one of the breeds in a small subset group of scenthounds called the Anglo-French hounds. There are seven breeds altogether that share a similar ancestry, with slight differences between them. The French Tricolour in particular is (not surprisingly) always tricolored. This breed was bred to hunt in packs which means they get along with other dogs exceptionally well, although may be more difficult to live in a non-hunting home. This is not to say that they can’t be kept as pets, however an owner will need to recognize their special needs and challenges.
French Tricolours are large dogs with plenty of strength and endurance. Originally used to hunt both deer as well as wild boar, they needed to be athletic and tough in order to do their job. As such, they are very active and require lots of exercise when living in a pet home! Prospective owners should be physically capable of handling these dogs and athletic enough to exercise them frequently. Without enough physical stimulation they can become obnoxious both to their owners as well as nearby neighbors (yes – they are capable of being quite loud, and have voices that carry far)! Furthermore they don’t adapt well to city or apartment life and do much better in more rural areas where their athletic abilities can shine.
The French Tricoloured Hound is a rare breed, both in the United States as well as abroad – even in their home country of France. This is probably partly due to the fact that they are more of a hunting dog than a companion dog, developed primarily for their instincts. For example, pet owners must have a secure fence because these determined hounds want to sniff, run and hunt as much as possible! They will decimate small critters unfortunate to make their way into the backyard. Furthermore, families with young children will find that this hound may be too exuberant and rowdy around their kids. Add in their high energy level and the fact that they really should be kept in a multiple-dog household without small pets, and it is clear that not many people are set up to care for this dog properly.
The French Tricolour is an intelligent dog although he is also quite stubborn and more prone to following his nose than following commands if he hasn’t had a strong foundation in obedience. Make sure to start training young – frequent mental activity is essential to the happiness of this dog. Furthermore he really needs a job to do in addition to training, whether it be hunting (vastly preferred), dog sports or regular access to stimulating mental games. Exercise for both mind and body will go a long way toward a successful life with this breed! Keep in mind that they aren’t known for spectacular performances when it comes to obedience or similar sports, however they can excel in scent sports such as tracking and nose work.
The French Tricolour Hound is easy and low-maintenance to groom, requiring very infrequent brushing sessions. Like all breeds, he does need regular nail trimming and ear cleaning. While grooming may be a low-priority on the general scale when it comes to care of this breed, he has other needs that are more important. For example, he can be aloof towards people although prone towards separation anxiety when left alone. Although very independent in nature, living in a pack is in his blood so he doesn’t deal well with being alone. If keeping as a pet, it is highly recommended that he lives with at least one other dog, if not several.
Photo CC BY-SA 3.0