Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

This French scenthound was bred by crossing English and French hound lines to get a smaller, more agile dog for tracking hare or fox through tighter woodland. An adult weighs around 20 kilograms on a compact but tireless frame, carrying a short coat that's easy to maintain. The breed survives mostly within French hunting packs and remains almost unknown outside the country. Like most scenthounds, it works in a pack rather than alone, and it bays constantly while trailing scent, so a single dog kept indoors can be loud without an obvious trigger. It needs daily exercise, since pent-up energy tends to turn into restlessness at home. Life expectancy runs 12 to 14 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie: how old in human years?

48–56 cmHeight
16–20 kgWeight
12–14 yrsLife expectancy

French White and Black Hound

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.2: Scenthounds, Medium sized
FCI: 325
Country of origin: France

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

4/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 48–56 cm

Females 48–56 cm

Weight

Males 18–20 kg

Females 16–18 kg

Life expectancy

12–14 yrs

Coat

short (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 4/5
Good with children 4/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 3/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie's energy and exercise needs are high.

Energy level 5/5
Exercise need 5/5
Apartment friendly 1/5
Prey drive 5/5
Hunting instinct 5/5

Guarding & Alertness

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie's guarding and alertness traits are low.

Guarding instinct 1/5
Watchfulness 2/5
Barking level 4/5

Grooming & Care

Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie's grooming needs are low.

Shedding 2/5
Drooling 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

Living with the Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

French hunters keep these dogs in packs and take them after hare, rabbit and pheasant, and that tells you a lot about their character: they live with dogs, work with dogs and talk to the world loudly. The Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie is a medium-sized, light and tireless runner for whom the fields are a workplace, not scenery.

It has so much energy that a stroll round the block won't even warm it up. Every day it needs long runs and work for its nose, and its prey drive and hunting instinct are so strong that off-lead time belongs only in a well-fenced area. It trains reasonably well, but scent will always be the toughest competition for your commands. Expect barking and baying, particularly when it is bored, which neighbours in a block of flats are unlikely to enjoy.

With people, though, it is gentle and friendly, good with children and very good with other dogs; a second dog in the house is often the best present you can give it. It isn't hostile to strangers, and it is no guard. Its ideal home is in the country or the suburbs, with a yard and an owner who has the time and patience for an active hound.

Grooming and coat

A short, smooth coat is a gift to anyone who doesn't care for brushing. The Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie needs no more than a weekly going-over with a rubber brush or grooming mitt to lift out dead hair and dust and bring the shine back. Shedding is moderate, and mud that dries on such short hair can usually just be brushed off.

The attention goes less to the coat than to what's under it. After every run in the fields, check the paws for scrapes and the coat for ticks. Lift the hanging ears weekly and look inside; redness, discharge or a bad smell is a reason to see a vet. Trim the nails if they don't wear down on their own.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

We don't have reliable health information specific to this breed, so we don't list conditions here. Keep up regular vet check-ups, and if you are getting a puppy, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Food for medium breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (20 kg) rather than the breed itself: shops label food by dog size, so every breed of the same size gets the same list. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 260 g of dry food a day, from €14,13 a month For a neutered, normally active 18 kg dog. Calculate for your dog