Billy

Named after the castle in the Poitou region where the breed was shaped in the 19th century, this white coated hound was bred to hunt large game, particularly boar, in packs. A male can weigh up to 32 kilograms, and the short, fine coat needs little care but offers poor protection against cold. Like several other French hounds it was nearly wiped out by the First World War, when many hunting estates collapsed and dog populations dropped sharply. The modern population was rebuilt from a very small founder group, so the breed remains extremely rare even in France. It's used almost exclusively for pack hunting rather than as a companion. Life expectancy runs 12 to 13 years.

Browse dog food sized right for this breed

Billy: how old in human years?

58–70 cmHeight
26–32 kgWeight
12–13 yrsLife expectancy

Basset Bleu de Gascogne

FCI group: Scenthounds and Related Breeds
FCI section: Section 1.1: Scenthounds, Large sized
FCI: 25
Country of origin: France

Energy level

5/5
Trainability

3/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Height

Males 60–70 cm

Females 58–68 cm

Weight

Males 28–32 kg

Females 26–30 kg

Life expectancy

12–13 yrs

Coat

short, fine (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Billy's average temperament and family-life score for this breed is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with other dogs 4/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 3/5
Trainability 3/5

Exercise, Energy & Space

Billy'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

Billy's guarding and alertness traits are low.

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

Grooming & Care

Billy's grooming needs are low.

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

Living with the Billy

Tall, lean and long in the leg, the Billy looks like an aristocrat, but at heart he is a working dog who once ran in packs after large game through French forests. That shapes his day: he has a great deal of energy and stamina, and he needs real exercise rather than strolls. Long hikes, running beside a bike, or free running in a securely fenced area are the daily minimum, not a treat. The hunting drive is very strong; once he sees or scents game, everything else is forgotten, so keep him on a lead in open country.

He can learn, but he thinks for himself, so patience, short sessions and a gentle tone get you further than firmness. As befits a hound, he has a strong voice and uses it, especially when left alone with nothing to do.

Indoors, with his exercise done, the Billy is a calm, quiet presence in the corner, attached to his family. He usually gets on very well with other dogs, having been bred to live in a pack, while with strangers he is reserved and slow to warm up. He makes a poor guard dog. A city flat is too small for this great runner; he is happiest in the countryside, with plenty of space and an owner who loves being outdoors as much as he does.

Grooming and coat

The Billy wears a short, fine coat that sits as close as a well-cut jacket, so a few minutes a week is all it takes. Go over it with a soft rubber mitt or a natural-bristle brush to collect the dead hair and bring out the shine. Shedding is light, and a bath is only needed when your dog comes back from a hike browner than he left.

A fine coat gives little protection against cold and wet wind, so in winter don't leave him standing about outside after a long walk, and give him a soft bed indoors: bony elbows aren't comfortable on hard floors. After every trip to the woods, check for ticks, scratches and thorns between the toes, and lift the drop ears once a week to make sure the inside is clean. Trim the nails when they stop wearing 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 large breeds — cheapest per kg

This list is chosen by the breed's weight (32 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.

≈ 370 g of dry food a day, from €20,21 a month For a neutered, normally active 29 kg dog. Calculate for your dog