Originally bred by Gaston Hublot du Rivault in 19th-century France from three breeds of French scent hounds, the Billy or Billy Hound, named for the Chateu de Billy where it originated, was used to hunt deer. The breed became popular in France, and a breed standard was established in 1866. By the end of World War II, however, the breed had almost become extinct. To prevent the breed from dying out, dedicated breeders used the few Billies that remained to reestablish a breeding program. Despite this program, Billies are currently uncommon in France and rare outside of the country. Today, these dogs are used primarily for pack hunting.
The Billy is lean and muscular with an athletic appearance, a deep chest and a long tail. It has floppy ears and a medium-length head with a square muzzle. Members of the breed range in height from approximately 22.75 to 27.5 inches and weigh between 55 and 73 pounds. Males are larger than females. The Billy has a short, coarse coat that appears glossy, and its skin is visible under the coat. Breed standards specify that the dog's coat must be pure white or off white. The coat can be solid or marked with yellow or orange spots.
Personality
Billies are known for their intelligence and keen sense of smell. They function best in a pack, and they bond strongly with their families. These dogs are gentle with people in general and are especially good with children. Because they are outgoing and friendly toward strangers, Billies make poor guard dogs. Because the Billy has a well-developed prey drive, it has the potential to be aggressive toward smaller animals, including cats and small dogs, so owners should use caution when keeping a Billy with smaller pets. These dogs also tend to be vocal and have high-pitched voices. Additionally, because Billies are large, active dogs, they need a significant amount of exercise.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 10 - 14 years |
| Nicknames: | The Billy Hound |
Billy Build Information
The Billy is lean and muscular with an athletic appearance, a deep chest and a long tail. It has floppy ears and a medium-length head with a square muzzle. Members of the breed range in height from approximately 22.75 to 27.5 inches and weigh between 55 and 73 pounds. Males are larger than females. The Billy has a short, coarse coat that appears glossy, and its skin is visible under the coat. Breed standards specify that the dog's coat must be pure white or off white. The coat can be solid or marked with yellow or orange spots.
| Size: | Large |
Behaviour and Personality
Billies are known for their intelligence and keen sense of smell. They function best in a pack, and they bond strongly with their families. These dogs are gentle with people in general and are especially good with children. Because they are outgoing and friendly toward strangers, Billies make poor guard dogs. Because the Billy has a well-developed prey drive, it has the potential to be aggressive toward smaller animals, including cats and small dogs, so owners should use caution when keeping a Billy with smaller pets. These dogs also tend to be vocal and have high-pitched voices. Additionally, because Billies are large, active dogs, they need a significant amount of exercise.
| Activity Level: | Very active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Kid friendly |
Appearance
These dogs require little grooming beyond weekly brushing, periodic baths and nail trims. Special attention should be paid to cleaning and examining their droopy ears to help prevent ear infections.
| Shedding: | Little |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Billy Common Health Conditions
Their floppy ears predispose them to ear infections.
Billy Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
Billies are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of approximately 10 to 14 years. Their short coats make them sensitive to the cold, and their floppy ears predispose them to ear infections. Rare breed outside of France. Large hunting dog with an excellent nose and a high-pitched voice requires a significant amount of daily exercise.
| Training: | Easy |