Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

Hound Group Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-22"
Weight 35-44 lbs
Lifespan 12-14 years
Price $600-$1,200

About the Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

Here is a French pack hound in the fullest sense, bred to hunt small game in company rather than to live as a solitary companion, and nearly everything about its character follows from that. Temperament is sociable and even, carrying the tolerance of other dogs that pack work demands along with a friendly, undramatic manner toward people; sharpness and guarding instinct are largely absent. What the breed does possess is stamina and an overwhelming commitment to scent. Exercise needs are high and specific, meaning hours of active work or long ranging walks through interesting country, not a turn around the block. Deprived of that, these hounds become noisy and restless, and the voice travels. Training proceeds unhurriedly. Pack hounds were selected to work as a unit under a huntsman rather than perform precise obedience, so recall is unreliable near game and secure fencing is essential in any non-working home. Food motivation helps; patience helps more. Grooming is easy, since the short flat coat needs only weekly brushing, though drop ears want routine checking. Solitude suits them poorly, as most were raised in kennels among other hounds and cope far better with canine company. Rural hunting households are the realistic setting. Distinctively, the breed is bred and kept almost exclusively for pack hunting in France and is very seldom encountered elsewhere.

Temperament

Affectionate Great with Kids Dog-Friendly Playful Easy to Train
Affection Level
Good with Children
Good with Other Dogs
Playfulness
Protectiveness
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Intelligence
Adaptability

Physical Characteristics

Size Category Medium (25-50 lbs)
Height 19-22"
Weight 35-44 lbs
Coat Type Smooth
Coat Length Short
Colors
Hypoallergenic No

Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

High (60-90 min/day)

60 minutes per day recommended

Grooming

Moderate - Weekly

Shedding:

Mental Stimulation

Needs plenty of mental challenges

Drooling

Living Conditions

Apartment Friendly
Good for First-Time Owners
Tolerates Being Alone
Cold Weather Tolerance
Hot Weather Tolerance

Cost of Ownership

Purchase Price $600-$1,200
Annual Cost $1,100/year

Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.

Health Considerations

Like all breeds, Anglo-Francais de Petite Veneries may be prone to certain health conditions:

Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.

Best For

  • Families with Children
  • Active Owners

May Not Be Ideal For

  • Apartment Living
  • Long Work Hours Away
  • Sedentary Lifestyles

Guides for your Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

The story behind the Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

French hunting culture produced this breed through crosses between native French hounds and English foxhound stock, work carried out across the 1800s and consolidated during the twentieth century. The aim was a medium-sized pack hound for petite venerie, the hunting of smaller quarry such as hare, rabbit and roe deer, as distinct from the larger hounds used on deer and boar. Several Anglo-Francais varieties were established, differing chiefly in size and colouring, with this one recognised as the smallest. French kennel authorities and later the FCI formalised the standards. The breed remains a working hound bred by hunting packs for performance rather than appearance, and it is rare outside France with very few kept purely as companions.

Originally bred for: Hunting, Pack hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.

Feeding a Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

Working pack hounds should be fed to workload, with energy density raised through the hunting season and reduced sharply in the off months. A balanced adult food supporting lean muscle suits them, and condition is best checked by hand since a short coat flatters a heavy dog.

Watch for: No documented breed-specific sensitivity pattern exists for these French pack hounds. Kennel-raised hounds usually handle plain rations well, but sudden changes cause upset, and heavy pendulous ears make recurrent ear trouble worth separate veterinary assessment rather than assuming the diet is responsible.

Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.

Living with a Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.

For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.

Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.

Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.

Compare Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie with Other Breeds

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