Billy (dog breed)
A rare French scent hound bred for pale coloration.
The Billy is a French breed of large scent hound, originating in Poitou in western France. It is notable for its pale coloration and its role as a foundational breed in the development of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange.
Quick Facts
- Country
- France
- Coat
- short, harsh to the touch
Facts from the source article.
History
The Billy dog breed was developed in the 1800s by Gaston Hublot de Rivault Taco, who named it after his home, Château de Billy, in Poitou. To create the Billy, he crossed the three original Poitevin strains: the Montemboeuf, Ceris, and Larrye. De Rivault favored the lighter coats of the Montemboeuf and Ceris lines, so color heavily influenced his breeding choices. In 1927, the pack was broken up, and the breed nearly died out; only two dogs lived through World War II. De Rivault’s son, Anthony, brought the breed back by carefully using the Poitevin, Porcelaine, and Harrier. The Billy also served as one of the foundation breeds for the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange in the late 1800s. Today, the Billy is still uncommon, but a few packs exist and are used to hunt roe deer and wild boar.
Characteristics
The Billy comes in pure white, off-white, or grey, and some dogs have orange or lemon-yellow spots on their head and body. Its coat is short, smooth, and a bit rough. Weight runs from 72 to 104 pounds (47 kg max). Males are 60–70 cm (about 2 ft 3 in) tall at the shoulder; females are 58–62 cm (about 2 ft). The breed standard, set in 1885, calls for an easy, galloping movement.
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