Chien Français Blanc Et Noir

Kate Barrington
by Kate Barrington
fast facts

About Chien Français Blanc Et Noir

Height
26-28 inches
Weight
50-80 lbs
Lifespan
12-15 years
Group
UKC Scenthound
Best Suited For
active singles, active families, house with a yard, experienced dog owners, hunters
Temperament
intelligent, energetic, dedicated, loyal, stubborn
Comparable Breed
Black and Tan Coonhound, Basset Hound
Chien Français Blanc et Noir Basics


Though his name sounds foreign, the Chien Français Blanc et Noir has a very familiar look. He is a black-and-white hound that originated in France and is used for hunting in packs. These dogs have a long history of hunting behind them and they are still used today to hunt red deer.


Origin


The exact origins of the Chien Français Blanc et Noir are unknown, but he is thought to have been developed from various French and English Hounds. This is one of three Chien Français breeds, each of which is named for its coloration – the other two are the Chien Français Blanc et Orange and the Chien Français Blanc et Tricolore.


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir’s history lies in the old Hound of Saintonge, a breed that almost completely disappeared during the French Revolution. The breed was revived as the Gascon-Santongeois breed in the mid-19th century and then crossbred with the Poitevin in the late 19th century to produce the modern Chien Français Blanc et Noir. The breed was officially registered in 1957 and is currently recognized by the FCI and the UKC.


Pedigree


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is one of three French hounds classified as Chien Français and is thought to have been developed from a mixture of existing and extinct French and English hounds.


Food/Diet


As a large-breed dog, the Chien Français Blanc et Noir should be fed a high-quality commercial diet formulated for larger breeds. Protein is extremely important for this breed to maintain lean muscle mass and he may require more fat than other dogs to sustain his energy for hunting. You may even want to consider an active or working breed formula to meet his high energy requirements.


Training


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is an intelligent breed that usually responds well to positive reinforcement training methods. This breed is bred to hunt in packs, so he is very independent-minded and sometimes gets along better with other dogs than with people. He is not willful by nature but can become stubborn, so a firm and consistent hand in training is required and this breed is best for experienced dog owners. If you don’t choose to train your dog for hunting, consider training him for another dog sport to keep him active and engaged.


Weight


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is a large breed that stands 26 to 28 inches tall and weighs 50 to 80 pounds. Females of the breed tend to be a little smaller.


Temperament/Behavior


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is born and bred as a hunting dog. More specifically, he is bred to hunt in packs with little direction from his owner – this means that he can sometimes be a little stubborn and independent. These dogs are not overly willful, however, and they are very loyal and dedicated to their families. The Chien Français Blanc et Noir usually does well in multi-dog households but they do need plenty of socialization to get along with other household pets.


Common Health Problems


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is generally a healthy breed, though he may be prone to field injuries like all working breeds. This breed is also at-risk for ear infections due to his long, pendulous ears and his size may predispose him to musculoskeletal issues like hip dysplasia as well as gastric torsion or bloat.


Life Expectancy


The average lifespan for the Chien Français Blanc et Noir is 12 to 15 years.


Exercise Requirements


As a hunting breed, the Chien Français Blanc et Noir has excellent stamina and high needs for exercise. This breed requires at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise and will appreciate having a fenced yard in which to run. This breed may do well in training for dog sports and also requires mental stimulation in addition to physical exercise.


AKC


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir is not currently recognized by the AKC but it is a member of the Scenthound group for the UKC and was recognized as such by the FCI in 1957.


Coat


The Chien Français Blanc et Noir has a short coat of the typical hound type. It is black and white in color with a black mantle. Some dogs of this breed exhibit blue or black speckling or some tan markings, but these are only permissible on the legs. The breed sheds moderately but grooming is simple.


Puppies


The average litter size for the Chien Français Blanc et Noir breed is 3 to 8 puppies. Puppies should be started with socialization and training as early as possible. Feed your Chien Français Blanc et Noir puppy a large-breed puppy formula and switch to a large-breed adult recipe around 12 months of age.


Photo credit: slowmotiongli/Shutterstock

Kate Barrington
Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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