The Complete Guide to Poitevin Hound Dogs

The Poitevin Hound is an ancient breed that originated in France, specifically in the Poitou region, around the 16th century.

They were bred to hunt wild boar and other small game, and their strong prey drive and endurance make them well-suited for this type of work.

Poitevin Hounds are known for their distinctive coat, which is short, smooth, and glossy.

Their intelligence and trainability also make them a popular choice for hunting and tracking.

Poitevin Hounds are generally quiet and calm, but they can be prone to barking when they're excited or alerting their handler to a scent.

Their short coats require minimal grooming, making them a low-maintenance choice for owners.

Poitevin Hounds are relatively small, with males weighing between 50-70 pounds and standing 22-24 inches tall at the shoulder.

The Poitevin hound is a refined, athletic breed with a unique appearance. They typically stand 24 to 28 inches tall at the withers, with males slightly taller than females.

Their short coat is usually tricolour, with a black saddle region, and comes in a variety of colours including tricolour, orange and white with black markings, and wolf grey.

Their body is designed for running, with a deep chest and long back legs that are a muscular propulsion unit powering their impressive endurance.

The Poitevin is a refined, athletic hound with sighthound features, often described as a mixture of a foxhound and a greyhound.

Their typical height at the withers is between 60 to 72 centimetres (24 to 28 in), and they weigh between 20.5 to 30.5 kilograms (45 to 67 lb).

Their flat, gently sloping skull and long, narrow tapering muzzle give them a distinctive appearance.

Their slender, well-muscled neck is a notable feature, allowing for flexibility and agility.

The Poitevin's short coat is usually tricolour, a common colour pattern among hounds.

Their long, straight, heavily boned legs provide the necessary power and endurance for their high-speed hunting.

Their long tail is a characteristic feature, often carried with pride.

The Poitevin's nickname, 'Greyhound among the French hounds', speaks to their exceptional speed, which can reach up to 56 kilometres per hour (35 mph).

The Poitevin's body is designed for speed and endurance. Its deep chest is perfect for running, allowing it to take in plenty of air and keep going for hours.

The ribs are long, which helps to support the dog's lung capacity and enable it to run at high speeds. This is especially important for a breed that can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour.

The back is well-muscled and firm, providing a stable base for the dog's powerful legs. This muscular back also helps to propel the dog forward, making it a formidable hunting companion.

The loin is muscular and the flank is slightly tucked up, giving the Poitevin a sleek and streamlined appearance. This shape also helps the dog to move efficiently, using its powerful muscles to generate speed and agility.

Here are some key stats about the Poitevin's body:

Height is a notable aspect of this breed, with males reaching 24.5 to 28 inches at the withers.

Males can grow to be quite tall, with a height range that's several inches more than their female counterparts.

For females, the height range is slightly shorter, falling between 23.5 and 27.5 inches at the withers.

The Poitevin hound is a breed that's not for everyone, especially if you're looking for a snuggly family pet. They're naturally aloof and prefer the company of other dogs to humans.

Their strong prey drive means they need to be socialized with other dogs of similar size or larger, or they might see them as potential prey. This can be a challenge for owners who don't have experience with pack dynamics.

Poitevins are not cooperative dogs and have a strong-willed nature that borders on stubbornness, making training a trial for inexperienced owners. They need to be handled firmly and consistently to understand what's expected of them.

If you're considering bringing a Poitevin into your home, be prepared for them to dislike being left alone and express their dissatisfaction with howling or barking. They're not suited for apartment living or small spaces.

These scenthounds have incredible stamina and can work for hours over harsh terrain, but they need a lot of space to express themselves and exercise their hunting instinct.

The Poitevin hound requires minimal coat grooming care, with a weekly brushing being sufficient to keep their coat looking its best.

Their short and glossy coat is low shedding and low maintenance, making it a great choice for busy owners.

Regular nail trimming and brushing their teeth are also essential to keep your Poitevin in top condition.

Those long floppy ears will need regular cleaning to prevent infections.

Be wary of bathing a Poitevin unless they get especially dirty, as this may wash away their waterproof protective coating.

The Poitevin has a low maintenance coat that only needs a weekly brushing to stay looking its best.

This short coat is also low shedding, making it a great choice for people with allergies or who don't want to deal with a lot of dog hair.

You'll also need to trim your Poitevin's nails regularly to keep them from getting too long.

Don't forget to brush your Poitevin's teeth regularly to keep them clean and healthy.

Those long floppy ears will need regular cleaning to prevent infections.

The modern Poitevin dog has a good amount of English Foxhound genetics, which can be useful to know if you're looking for breed-specific health information.

Be wary of bathing your Poitevin unless it gets especially dirty, as you may wash away its waterproof protective coating.

Check your Poitevin over at the end of each day for debris stuck in its ears or paws, and be especially vigilant for ticks or other parasites that can become attached when it's roaming in the countryside.

The Poitevin Hound sheds steadily throughout the year, but more so in the spring and autumn when they grow new coats.

This means you can expect to see more hair around the house during these seasons.

They have a low-maintenance coat that requires regular grooming, but it's nothing out of the ordinary.

Their short, close-lying coats make them a great choice for owners who don't want to deal with excessive grooming.

However, be prepared for a lot of hair, especially during shedding season!

Expand your knowledge: Grooming Lagotto

The Poitevin Hound is a gentle soul, but they're not always the best match for a household with small pets. They have a strong prey drive, which can make them unpredictable and even dangerous around small animals.

They're generally good around other dogs, especially those of similar size and temperament, and they're often housed together in kennels. However, it's essential to exercise caution when introducing them to smaller pets.

Their hunting instincts are deeply ingrained, and they may not be the best match for a household with very small dogs or cats.

For another approach, see: When Is It Best to Breed a Dog

The Poitevin hound is a hardy pack animal, which means they're built to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle.

Their robust nature is a testament to careful and selective breeding, which has helped to minimize hereditary and congenital issues that can affect other breeds.

As a result, the Poitevin is a relatively healthy breed, with few health problems linked to it.

Training a Poitevin hound requires an experienced and dedicated trainer, or the services of a professional dog trainer.

The Poitevin can be stubborn and challenging to train, so it's essential to be patient and consistent in your approach.

Socialization is a crucial part of training, especially since Poitevins tend to be wary of strangers outside of the family unit. This means exposing your puppy to new people, places, and experiences from an early age to help them become confident and calm in novel situations.

Reward-based training methods work best for the Poitevin, as they respond well to positive reinforcement. Clear boundaries and consistent training are also essential to prevent barking and other behavioral issues.

Training the Poitevin requires patience and dedication, especially since they can be stubborn and challenging to train.

You'll need to work with an experienced dog trainer or be one yourself, as this breed is not for beginners.

Socialization is crucial, as Poitevins tend to be wary of strangers outside of the family unit.

Barking can be a challenge, so be prepared to address this issue through training.

Reward-based training methods are essential, especially when combined with clear boundaries.

Mental stimulation is also vital, so consider using puzzle feeders and regular obedience training.

A well-socialized puppy from the start is key, and you should continue the socialization process to help them feel confident in novel situations.

Poitevin puppies are undeniably cute with their distinctive long noses and floppy ears. They are an uncommon dog breed, seldom found in the US, making it a complicated and expensive undertaking to acquire one.

Poitevin puppies will need an experienced dog owner who can offer them plenty of outdoor space to run in.

It's essential to consider the needs of a puppy like the Poitevin, which is happiest working and running in a pack, and not a traditional family pet.