Great Anglo-French White and Black Hound (Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir)

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is a large-sized and powerful sporting dog with its origin in France. It’s praised for its incredible stamina, working skills and ability to operate on any type of terrain and by any weather condition. This breed adapts poorly to apartment living because of its sizeable exercises requirements. 

The Anglo-French Hound’s origin can be traced to the XIX century when hunting with large packs of hounds was at the height of its fame in France. Nonetheless the exact date of its development remains unclear since crossing the French hound with various types of English Foxhounds was a common practice in this country since XVI century.

French hunters cared little about appearance or pedigree of their dogs as long as they demonstrated unparalleled hunting prowess. That’s why these hounds were perceived rather as mongrels well into XX century. The situation has changed when in 1957 breeders decided to organise dogs according to their ancestry. Their efforts resulted into appearance of seven unique French breeds of distinctive sizes, coat texture and colours. The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir was produced from the Anglo-Saintongeois hybrid, a hound variety that was most surely developed from the Gascon Saintongeois and the Foxhound.

The word «Grand» was put in front of the name of the breed because it was used to hunt large game and worked predominantly in packs of several dozens of other canines. The Anglo-French Hound is characterised with resonant voice, sharp scent and relentlessness in pursuit. This brave and passionate hunter will never be hindered by challenging terrain and severe weather and can work for numerous hours without breaks. The packs of Anglo-French Hounds generally specialised on hunting a roe deer and wild boar although they were also able to hunt foxes and other small game.

Presently breed members are mostly owned by active hunters as this dog is ill-suited for the role of a pet or a show dog. Its population concentrated almost exclusively in its native France where it’s also considered as a rare breed. However, the Anglo-French Hound has recognition of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) and in 2006 it was officially recognised by the United Kennel Club (the UKC).

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is a superb sporting dog, which is extremely rarely used solely as a pet. It gets used to living in big packs of other canines and requires spacious yard to give vent to its exuberant nature. Some breed fanciers claim that its properly socialised specimen is all right with children. Anyway this vigorous and strong dog won’t make an acceptable playmate for a toddler.

The breed usually demonstrates uncompromising loyalty and affection towards its favourite people but remains rather aloof with strangers. However a well-brought-up Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir will treat a new person with essential politeness. As a rule it doesn’t express enough interest in protecting its territory to make an effective watchdog. At the same time some specimens can be turned into fairly good watchdogs. Anyway this breed definitely won’t make any use in the role of a guard dog because of its non-aggressive disposition.

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir was bred to live and work with other dogs and usually craves for having several permanent canine companions. It does fairly well with strange dogs although it won’t back down from confrontation if provoked. That’s why this dog should be always kept on a leash while being walked. Being a tenacious and reliable hunter it may show high aggression towards other species of animals especially homeless cats. It’s possible to introduce this dog into the household with other non-canine pet when it is still a kind and inquisitive puppy.

The most common problems for the breed include:

• canine hip dysplasia;
• patellar luxation;
• arthritis;
• frequent muscle strain;
• chronic ear infections;
• hearing issues;
• cryptorchidism;
• gastric torsion.

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir should receive a rather basic maintenance. The owner should brush his dog couple of times per week to keep its short and sleek coat in a healthy condition. The dog’s nails require trimming on a monthly basis.

After each and every hunting trip the coat and ears of a working specimen should be thoroughly examined for the signs of ticks and other external parasites. The breed usually easily catches various ear infections so they need regular and careful cleaning. The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is a moderate shedder.

The training of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir usually requires average investments of time and efforts. Actually it takes hunting behaviour very naturally and will effectively perform its original hunting duties with minimal training. At the same time it’s noted for certain stubborn streak and won’t follow commands of a week or indecisive person. This dog usually has strong desire to impress its owner and easy learns basic commands.

The breeds’ training should be performed exclusively with reward-based methods with an emphasis on the dog’s favourite treats. The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir won’t put up with abusive or disrespectful treatment and will respond to that with even more obstinacy and disobedience.

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is extremely vigorous working dog, which is accustomed to very intensive physical exercise. When it doesn’t hunt it should be provided with regular opportunity to expend its excessive energy. This dog is an infamous cat chaser so it should be never released off leash until in a safely enclosed area.

During off hunting season it’s advisable to offer the dog some kind of exercise, which will emulate its hunting behaviour. It’s worth to remember that if the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir lacks chances to let off steam it will gradually turn into an unruly, hyperactive and destructive animal.