Scent hound Medium size 20-25 kg

Nivernais Rough Haired Hound

A rugged French scent hound with stamina and a strong nose; independent, nose-led, and best for active hunting homes.

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Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
20-25 kg, 55-62 cm at the shoulder
High
Activity
High; bred for long days afield
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Challenging
Trainability
Independent, follows its nose over commands
Moderate
Coat care
Harsh coat needs occasional stripping
Moderate
Fit with kids
Good with children when well exercised
Moderate
Other pets
Sociable with dogs; prey drive to small pets
Light
Health burden
Generally hardy working hound

The Nivernais Rough Haired Hound typically weighs 20-25 kg, stands 55-62 cm, and lives 12-14 years.

Consider this breed if…

you hunt or do scent sport and want a hardy, driven tracking hound,
you can give a high-stamina dog long daily exercise,
you have a securely fenced yard and will keep it leashed near roads,
you want a rugged, low-fuss rough coat.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want reliable off-leash recall - the nose wins over commands,
you expect quick, precise obedience,
you keep small pets it may treat as prey,
you are a first-time owner wanting an easy apartment companion.

A typical day with a Nivernais Rough Haired Hound

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk or run, nose to the ground
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after exercise
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short leashed walk with plenty of sniffing
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Scent work or tracking practice
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Another good walk or time in the field
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A well-exercised hound settles and sleeps

Temperament and training

Scent drive Very high
Independence High
Trainability Low
Energy High
Sociability with dogs High
Guarding tendency Low
Common owner mistakes
Trusting recall off-leash near roads or livestock · Under-exercising, then facing a bored, vocal, destructive dog · Expecting obedience training to override the nose

Family and environment

Kids Conditional
Friendly but boisterous; best with older, active children.
Dogs Good
A pack hound; generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Poor
Strong prey drive; small pets are at risk.
Apartment Poor
Too much stamina and voice for flat living.
House with a yard Suitable
Needs a high, secure fence and daily exercise.
City Conditional
Manageable only with a very active routine.
Countryside Ideal
Room to run and the field work it was bred for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

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
Ear infections Long drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock and manage weight and activity
Bloat (GDV) A surgical emergency; a preventive gastropexy is an option

Similar breeds - by reason

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

Another rough-coated French pack hound
Briquet Griffon Vendeen
A cheerful, shaggy French pack hound - friendly and hardy, but the nose, voice and stamina call for active homes and secure fencing.
View profile →
Similar rugged French scent hound
Grand Vendeen Rough Haired Hound
A large, tousled French hunting hound with high stamina and independence - suited to active owners who can channel the drive.
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Rough-coated hound with a strong nose and drive
Otterhound
A big, shaggy, good-natured scent hound with huge exercise needs; rare, independent, and not a flat dog.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Nivernais Rough Haired Hound cost in the US?
This is a rare French pack hound, seldom bred outside France, so US availability is very limited - expect waitlists, imports, and import costs on top of the purchase price. A well-bred puppy can run into the low thousands before shipping. Over a 12-14 year life, food, routine vet care and supplies for a medium dog typically add $15,000-$25,000 or more, and a major issue like bloat surgery can add several thousand at once.
Can this hound live in a city or apartment?
It is a poor apartment match. This is a working scent hound with real stamina and a carrying voice, bred to hunt long days afield. City life is only workable with a very committed exercise routine and secure containment; most people will be happier with it in the countryside.
Is it good with families and other pets?
It is friendly and gets on well with other dogs as a pack breed, but it is boisterous, so older, active kids suit it best. The strong prey drive makes it a risky housemate for cats, rabbits and other small pets.
How much exercise does it need?
A lot. Plan for long daily walks or runs plus scent or field work; this is not a dog you satisfy with a quick stroll. Under-exercised, it becomes vocal, restless and destructive.