The Chiens Francaises are rare dog breeds from France, as the title suggests, known under various names like the French Orange, the French Black or the White Hound. Francais tricolore, Francais blanc et noir and Francais blanc et orange are Anglo-Francais and Francais hounds resulted from the mixing of ancient French breeds with English foxhounds. They are part of the group of scenthounds, which means that they identify prey with the help of their strong sense of smell. They are also pack dogs used for hunting big game. Their descendants are the Guascone and the Saintonge, ancient breeds that are now extinct. They are not so well known like other breeds, mainly because they are generally regarded as hunting dogs rather than pets. Nowadays, in France, this breed is mainly used for hunting and, unfortunately, is declining in number.
They are large sized dogs with a height of about 26 29 inches and a weight ranging between 62 and 66 pounds. They have a life expectancy of 10 to 14 years.
They have a powerful appearance due to the muscular, well built body, covered by a - usually - smooth coat that should be tricolored with tan, black and white markings. The grizzle (wolf-like) color might occur too. Their short and dense coat does not require much grooming. A regular brushing, once or twice a week, will keep their coat clean and healthy. They should be bathed only when necessary. Wiping the coat with a damp cloth is recommended. Make sure their ears are clean in order to avoid infections.
They are said to be not very suitable as pets, being hunting dogs, but, with a proper training, they may become real family members. The Chiens Francaises dogs are very loyal to their owners and they love to play. They are good with children and they might get along with other dogs too, if socialized properly.
They are quite easy to train, being intelligent dogs that do well with short sessions. A firm and consistent training lead by an experienced owner will do wonders with these dogs. Some may be stubborn. The key of their training is patience.
They are very energetic, almost tireless, and very dedicated to their work. They need plenty of space and exercise, being very active and adventurous dogs that can get carried away by an interesting scent. Therefore they should be constantly supervised and never kept unleashed when going for the daily walk.
They prefer playing in at least a small yard, rather than living in an apartment with not enough space to run and exercise. They can adapt to almost any type of climate, but extreme cold and heat are not recommended.
They do not suffer from breed related health disorders. The most common problems are the ones met in other breeds too: ear and eye infections, skin problems and allergies.
With the proper care and training and also with the help of a loving family, the Chiens Francaises may prove to be great companion dogs.
