Scent hound Large size 25-33 kg

Billy

A rare French pack hound built for the hunt - high stamina and a strong nose make it a poor fit for anyone but active rural or working homes.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Large
Size
25-33 kg, 58-70 cm tall
Very high
Activity
Bred to run for hours; needs heavy exercise
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Pack dog; unhappy left alone
Moderate
Trainability
Independent hunter; recall is a challenge
Very low
Coat care
Short coat; minimal upkeep
Moderate
Fit with kids
Friendly but large and energetic
Low
Other pets
Strong prey drive toward small animals
Moderate
Health burden
Hip dysplasia, bloat, ear infections

The Billy typically weighs 25-33 kg, stands 58-70 cm, and lives 10-12 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt with hounds or live rurally with hours of daily activity to give,
you can keep more than one dog - this is a true pack animal,
you have secure fencing and accept a hound that follows its nose,
a loud, melodious baying voice is a feature to you, not a problem.

Do not consider this breed if…

you live in a town or suburb with close neighbors - the voice carries,
cats or small pets share the home; the prey drive is serious,
you expect reliable off-leash recall; a hot scent overrides you,
you want a dog available locally - the Billy is barely bred outside France.

A typical day with a Billy

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long run or trail outing, ideally with dog company
  2. 9:30 · Midmorning
    Rests after real exercise; restless without it
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Sniff-heavy walk on a long line
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Scent games or tracking work in the yard
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Second long outing; stamina seems endless
  6. 21:30 · Night
    Sleeps soundly after a properly filled day

Temperament and training

Hunting drive Very high
Stamina Very high
Independence High
Pack sociability High
Vocality High
Sensitivity Moderate
Common owner mistakes
Trusting off-leash freedom in open country; the nose wins every time · Keeping a pack hound as an only dog in an empty house · Ignoring the long drop ears until chronic infections set in

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Amiable but big and boisterous; better with older kids.
Dogs Good
Bred to live and work in packs; wants dog company.
Cats Poor fit
Strong prey drive; a risky combination.
Apartment Unsuitable
Energy, size and baying rule out flat life.
House with a yard Conditional
Only with high fences and hours of daily exercise.
City Poor fit
Too loud, too driven, nowhere to run.
Countryside Ideal
Rural working life is what it was bred for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Moderate

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip Dysplasia Screen breeding stock
Bloat (GDV) Deep-chested breeds are at risk
Chronic Ear Infections Long ears trap moisture; check regularly
Hypothyroidism Manageable with medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

Fellow French pack hound from the same region
Poitevin
A stamina-built French pack hound suited to rural life and long days afield - too much dog for a small home or a first-time owner.
View profile →
Similar pack-hound life, slightly easier to find
English Foxhound
A sociable pack hound built for stamina and following a scent, best for a rural home with room to run, not an apartment.
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Smaller pack hound with the same needs in a handier size
Harrier
A sturdy, sociable pack hound like a bigger Beagle - cheerful and good with company, but energetic with a nose that pulls it away.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Billy cost, and can I even get one in the US?
Honestly, availability is the main obstacle: the Billy is rare even in France and essentially not bred in the US, so plan on importing - realistically $2,000-$4,000 once the dog, paperwork and transatlantic transport are counted. Over a 10-12 year life, food and routine vet care for a large active hound typically add $15,000-$22,000 or more, and bloat surgery or chronic ear care can add thousands.
What was the Billy bred for?
It is a French pack hound from the Poitou region, developed in the late 1800s by Gaston Hublot du Rivault at the Chateau de Billy and rebuilt from a handful of survivors after World War II. It was and largely still is used for hunting roe deer and wild boar in organized mounted hunts, working in packs for hours at a stretch.
Can a Billy live as a family pet?
Only in an unusual family: rural, very active, ideally multi-dog, with secure fencing and tolerance for a loud hound voice. The breed is gentle and sociable with people, so temperament is not the problem - the sheer exercise need, prey drive and pack orientation are. In a normal suburban pet home it will be miserable and destructive.
Is the Billy good with other dogs?
Yes - pack living is in its blood, and it is generally excellent with other dogs, especially fellow hounds. In France some huntsmen note occasional scrappiness within working packs, but as a companion it positively benefits from canine housemates. Small pets are a different story; treat cats and rabbits as incompatible by default.