The French White and Orange Hound is a scenthound that traditionally hunts in large packs. This athletically-built hound is always (as his name implies) white and orange, or white and lemon in color. He is large in size, and the coat is smooth and easy-care like the majority of hunting hounds. Ears are low-set and hanging, slightly curled and long – reaching almost to the nose. He is celebrated for his easygoing and happy nature as well as his hunting skills. This breed is one of 3 Chiens Francais (French Hounds) and one of 7 in the extended French Hound family of dogs. He is also a rare breed, relatively unknown in most parts of the world outside of France.
The French White and Orange has a loud voice that he uses freely – both on the hunt but also in the home. His bay will be sounded loudly and proudly if he is happy, upset, bored, excited… or just because. It is for this reason that he does best in homes without close neighbors! It is also one of the reasons that he is mostly kept by hunters rather than pet owners. Furthermore, his excellent sense of smell (which he will use constantly) and independent attitude make him great at his job but rather frustrating for the majority of owners. This said, he can be a patient and polite family pet who enjoys spending time with his owners… in the right home that can meet his needs. Scoring high in “easy-going” as well as affectionate, it’s hard not to love this silly hound!
Prospective owners of the French White and Orange Hound should be advised that he doesn’t do well in homes with cats. His prey drive is simply too high in the majority of cases for this to be a safe situation. On the flipside, not only does he do very well with other dogs, he actually needs to live with at least one other dog in order to be happy. It isn’t unusual for this breed to actually prefer other dogs to people… despite his adoration of people. Speaking of people – this hound is not suited as a guard dog as he is simply too friendly, and not territorial or protective enough. This said, he can be an effective watch dog since he will bark (and howl, and bay) when people come onto the property. So while he is not likely to attack, he will emit a sound that may convince a would-be intruder to move to the next house. 
French White and Orange Hounds, as mentioned above, were and are used for hunting primarily. This is a job to which they need no training, and one they will do practically instinctively. However, when it comes to formal obedience training, they are less enthused. While they can be trained (and really should be given at least a basic course in obedience), they are likely to be very stubborn. They are also extra-distractible, as following interesting scents will always be their number one priority. This said, they do enjoy pleasing their owners and with the right motivation (read: tasty treats), they can be convinced to learn. Start early and make training as engaging and fun as you can!
The French White and Orange needs extensive exercise – more than many other breeds, if he is living as a family pet rather than working as a hunting dog. Furthermore, dogs that have no hunting outlets also need quite a bit of mental exercise as well to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. Plan on spending plenty of time with walks/jogs, playtime and mentally-engaging games or dog sports such as scentwork or barn hunt to keep him fulfilled! Exercise should always be done on leash or in a properly fenced area, because he will revert to “hunting dog mode” at the first sight of a squirrel!
The French White and Orange Hound is a very low-maintenance dog, his coat only requiring a weekly brushing. He doesn’t tend to have an odor, sheds minimally, and needs only minimal baths. Ears should be checked and cleaned on a weekly basis to curtail ear infections (long hanging ears are more prone to this malady), and nails should be clipped at the same time. Just make sure he has a securely fenced yard to run in, a canine companion or two and plenty of engaging mental/physical excursions, and the majority of his care will be complete!
