Apartment fit
The breed is rarely a good apartment choice because it is large, vocal, and bred for pack work over distance.
HoundLarge
France
FranceGreat Anglo-French Tricolour Hound
Weight
60-80 lb
Height
23.5-27.5 in
Lifespan
10-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound is a large French pack scenthound with Foxhound influence, a short tricolour coat, and a serious hunting temperament.
Large French pack scenthound with English Foxhound influenceShort tricolour coat with black blanket or patchesVery high exercise needs and strong scent driveBest for experienced hound homes, not apartments
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
AthleticScent-DrivenSociableDeterminedEnduringPack-Oriented
Weight
60-80 lb
Height
23.5-27.5 in
Lifespan
10-13 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
Very High
Barking
High
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound, also called the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore, is one of the large Anglo-French scenthounds developed in France from French hounds and English Foxhound influence. It was bred for pack hunting rather than casual city companionship, and its build, voice, stamina, and nose all reflect that job.
This breed is athletic, social with its pack, and usually more practical than flashy. The UKC standard describes a solid dog with an air reminiscent of its Foxhound ancestors, while the FCI places it among large scenthounds with a working trial. Owners should expect strong scent drive, a need for space, and better results from structured outdoor work than from repetitive indoor drills.
The short, fairly coarse tricolour coat is simple to brush, but ears, feet, and skin still need checks after hunting, hiking, or wet walks. Because the breed is rare outside working hound circles, health data is limited; hips, ears, eyes, injuries, and lean body condition should be discussed with knowledgeable breeders and veterinarians.
Temperament & Personality
AthleticScent-DrivenSociableDeterminedEnduringPack-Oriented
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a athletic, scent-driven, sociable companion, with daily rhythms shaped by very high energy, high barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Tricolour, Black Blanket, Black Patches, Bright Tan
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly3/5
Good with Kids3/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly1/5
Exercise Needs5/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability3/5
Good fit if you want
- A breed chosen for specific lifestyle fit
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 5/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- high barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- experienced scenthound owners
- rural or active homes with secure outdoor access
- people interested in tracking, hunting, or structured scent work
- homes with other compatible dogs
Not ideal for
- apartments or dense housing
- owners who need a quiet companion
- first-time owners wanting an easy starter dog
- homes with no plan for daily exercise and scent work
Common challenges
- recall around scent trails
- hound baying
- restlessness without enough outdoor work
Barking & behavior
Expect baying and excitement barking, especially around scent and other dogs. Management and enrichment matter as much as obedience cues.
Training style
Use practical, reward-based training in the places where the dog must behave: trails, gates, kennels, vehicles, and around livestock or wildlife scent.
Grooming & shedding
The short coat needs only simple brushing, but ears and feet should be checked after every wet or brushy outing.
Care Guide
Exercise
This is a working pack hound, so plan long daily walks, controlled running, scent games, and safe enclosed exercise. A healthy adult needs more than a casual stroll, especially if it is not hunting.
Grooming
The short, fairly coarse coat is easy to maintain with weekly brushing. Check ears, feet, and skin after outdoor work because debris, ticks, and moisture can cause problems.
Training
Train with rewards, repetition in real outdoor settings, and secure management around scent trails. Recall should be treated as a long-term project, not assumed because the dog behaves well indoors.
Nutrition
Feed a measured diet for a large active hound. Keep the dog lean to protect joints and adjust portions when hunting, running, or seasonal activity changes.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
Very High
Barking level
High
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
3/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Ear infectionsHip dysplasiaEye diseaseField injuriesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound a good apartment dog?
No, it is usually a poor apartment fit. This is a large, vocal, scent-driven pack hound that needs space, exercise, and secure outdoor access.
Does the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound bark a lot?
Owners should expect a hound voice. It may bay or bark when excited, working scent, separated from its group, or under-exercised.
Is the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound good for first-time owners?
It is usually better for experienced hound owners. The combination of scent drive, stamina, size, and voice can be frustrating for a first-time household.
How much exercise does the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound need?
Most healthy adults need long daily activity and scent work. This breed was developed for pack hunting, so simple leash walks may not provide enough outlet.
Is the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound good with kids and other dogs?
It is generally pack-oriented and can do well with other dogs when socialized. Around children, supervision matters because this is a large, energetic hound.
Does the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound shed a lot?
The short coat sheds moderately and is easy to brush. Ear checks and foot checks are more important than coat styling.
What is the biggest challenge of owning the Great Anglo-French Tricolour Hound?
The biggest challenge is providing enough safe scent-led exercise while managing voice, recall, and independence.
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