Billy
A tall, pale French scent hound from Poitou with real speed, a clear voice and a strong-willed hunting spirit.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 60–70 cm · Females 58–62 cm
- Weight
- Males 26–32 kg · Females 25–30 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–13 years
- Exercise
- 120–180 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- White, Cream, Orange, Lemon
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 25 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 3/5 – Moderate |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 2/5 – Low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 3/5 – Moderate |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- hunt with hounds or live on rural land
- have experience managing strong-willed hounds
- want a striking pale hound
Think twice if you …
- want a sociable dog-park companion
- live in a town or flat
- keep cats or poultry
Care
Temperament
Courageous and energetic, affectionate with its people, and sometimes quarrelsome with strange dogs.
Exercise
Needs long daily runs and space; it is at its best hunting or running in open, secure country.
Grooming
The short, hard coat needs a quick weekly brush; check the ears regularly.
Training
Responds best to experienced, calm handlers; independent on scent and slow to accept repetitive obedience work.
Health
Generally healthy, though the population is small; hip dysplasia and ear infections are reported. Hip screening is sensible, so ask the breeder for results and about relatedness of the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Billy was created in the late 19th century by Gaston Hublot du Rivault, who combined several old French white hound lines at his home in Poitou. It nearly disappeared after the World Wars and was carefully rebuilt from a very small number of dogs.
It is an elegant, athletic hound, mostly white or pale cream, sometimes with orange or lemon patches. Kept mainly by hunters in packs for roe deer and boar, it can be sharp with unfamiliar dogs and is not a natural fit for town life. With the right owner it is affectionate and calm at home.
Did you know?
The breed is named after the Château de Billy in Poitou, home of its creator Gaston Hublot du Rivault.