Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir
🧠 Temperament & character
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is tireless, powerful and keen-nosed, with a strongly pronounced pack drive. When hunting it works tenaciously and passionately, often over long distances. Within the pack it is socially compatible and balanced, but unfolds its nature above all in hunting together. A fiery working dog that needs clear guidance and plenty of exercise.
📜 Origin & history
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir emerged from crossing the French Gascon Saintongeois with the English Foxhound in order to combine endurance and speed. The Anglo-French pack hounds were bred systematically for the grand hunt in the 20th century and recognised as independent breeds in 1957. This variety is led to this day above all in French hunting packs.
✂️ Grooming, care & training
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir's short coat is easy to care for, while the long, drooping ears and the joints deserve attention after long days of hunting. As a pack hound it needs a decidedly large amount of exercise, tireless runs and extensive nose work. It is most content in the company of other dogs and with a real hunting task. Its independence requires consistent, patient training.
🩺 Health
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is a robust pack breed with a life expectancy of around ten to twelve years. Because of the long, drooping ears, care should be taken with ear infections, and in these large, active dogs with the joints too. As with all deep-chested scenthounds, there is a certain risk of gastric torsion. Reputable breeders select for healthy, capable working lines.
🏡 Who is this breed right for?
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir is a specialised pack hound and practically suited only for hunting. It is hardly conceivable in a city apartment or as a classic family dog because of its enormous need for exercise and its strong hunting drive. It needs plenty of space, extended runs and the company of other dogs. In Switzerland one encounters it almost exclusively in a hunting context.