Français Tricolore
🧠 Temperament & character
The Français Tricolore is a balanced, hardy dog with a pronounced pack sense and good cohesion. On the trail he works persistently and independently, often over long distances. In the family he shows himself gentle, affectionate and compatible with other dogs. Despite his friendliness he remains a true hunting dog whose nose and drive can awaken at any time.
📜 Origin & history
The Français Tricolore arose from the crossing of old French scent hounds such as the Billy and Poitevin with English Foxhound blood, which improved nose and speed. The breed was recognised in 1957 and is the most widespread of the three great French pack hounds. To this day it is used above all for the grande vénerie on roe deer and wild boar.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The Français Tricolore's short, tricolour coat is easy to care for, while the long ears and the paws should be checked regularly. As a pack hound he has an enormous need for exercise and needs long runs as well as extensive nose work. He is happiest in the company of other dogs and with a hunting task. His training requires consistency, since he becomes very independent on the trail.
🩺 Health
The Français Tricolore is a robust, healthy pack breed with a life expectancy of about eleven to thirteen years. As with all long-eared scent hounds, the ears should be checked regularly to prevent inflammations. The paws too deserve attention after long hunting days. Responsible breeders rely on healthy, high-performance working lines.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Français Tricolore is above all a working dog for hunters who handle him in the pack. For pure apartment keeping or as a classic family dog he is little suited because of his need for exercise and hunting drive. He needs plenty of space, enduring exercise and ideally the company of his own kind. In Switzerland he is encountered almost only in the hunting context.