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Poitevin

History

The Poitevin Hound was developed as the Haut *Poitou Hound in 1692 by Marquis F. de Larye. The breed’s most notable ancestors are the Chien Céris and the Montemboeuf, descendants of the famous Chien Blanc du Roy and of Irish scenthounds and English greyhounds. Crosses were made with the Foxhound and the Saintongeois. Known as an excellent wolf hunter in the nineteenth century, he is now prized for his skill on hare and deer. In 1957, the breed’s name was changed to the «Poitevin Hound.» Since the founding of the French Pack Hound Club in 1977, this breed has steadily gained popularity.

GENERAL APPEARANCE A very distinguished hound presenting, to a high degree of perfection, strength, elegance and lightness, with a range of the most fascinating colours.

HEAD * Long but not exaggerated, not very wide, the bones prominent with a slight occipital protuberance.

CRANIAL REGION * Skull * Rather flat, sloping very gently to the foreface.

NECK * Long, slim, without dewlap

FACIAL REGION Nose * Strong, wide and prominent.

Muzzle * Slightly convex, long without exaggeration.

Lips * Upper lip covering the lower, muzzle tapering.

Eyes * Large, round, surrounded with black. Lovely expression.

Leathers * Of medium width, fine leather, set on a little low, medium length and slightly turned inwards.

BODY Back * Well muscled and very well coupled.

Loin * Muscular.

Flank * Slight tuck-up but sufficiently spacious for the intestines.

Brisket Very deep, proportionately more so than wide.

Ribs * Long.

TAIL * Medium length, fine, smooth, never with longer and coarser slightly offstanding hairs (like ears of grain) towards the tip; elegantly carried in a slight curve.

LIMBS FOREQUARTERS * Straight, very muscular, lean and strong, flat and broad.

Shoulders * Long, flat and sloping, close to the chest.

Forefeet * the “wolf-foot”, rather long, very resistant.

HINDQUARTERS

Hip * Somewhat sloping, well developed and of good length.

Thighs * Very muscular.

Hockjoint * Low to the ground, slightly bent. Hocks vertical.

Hind feet * As forefeet.

GAIT / MOVEMENT Free mover; gallops easily, bounding lightly and passing well through undergrowth.

SKIN * Black nose. Testicles varying from white to black.

COAT

HAIR * Short and glossy.

COLOUR Tricolour with black saddle, or tricolour with large black patches; sometimes white and orange (bicolour); wolf-coloured hair is quite frequent.

SIZE * Dogs 62 to 72 cm, bitches 60 to 70 cm.

FAULTS * Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

ELIMINATING FAULTS Aggressive or overly shy.

Black and white hounds.

Dewlap. Hounds with slightly overshot mouth not to be disqualified, but all things being equal, the hound with correct jaw is to be preferred.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

Behavior This very active, hardy, speedy, spirited dog can pursue quarry all day long. He is not afraid of thickets and brambles. With his keen nose, powerful voice, and great skill as a pack hound, he excels on deer. Like all pack hounds, he is not well-suited to family life. He must be trained not to abandon the trail of one animal to pursue another.

Faults Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note * Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.