Billy
About the Billy
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Large (50-100 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 23-27" |
| Weight | 55-73 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Very High (90+ min/day)
90 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$1,500 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,200/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Billys 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
- First-Time Owners
- Long Work Hours Away
Guides for your Billy
The story behind the Billy
Gaston Hublot du Rivault created this breed in the Poitou region of western France, beginning in the later 1800s and continuing into the twentieth century at his Chateau de Billy estate. He combined several old French hound types, including the Ceris, Montaimboeuf and Larye, which were themselves in decline, aiming at a large, fast, hardy pack hound with a strong voice for hunting roe deer and boar. Both world wars devastated French hunting kennels, and the breed was rebuilt afterwards from a very small number of surviving hounds by the founder's descendants. French recognition and an FCI standard followed. The Billy has always been kept in packs by hunting establishments rather than as a companion, remains rare even within France, and is very seldom seen elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Hunting, Pack hound. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Billy
A large athletic pack hound needs quality food with energy density raised sharply through the hunting season and cut back afterwards, since these dogs cover enormous distances at work. Feed toward a lean muscular outline, and the deep chest makes divided unhurried meals sensible.
Watch for: No breed-specific sensitivity is documented for this rare French hound. Kennel-fed working packs generally handle plain rations well, while sudden dietary change causes upset, and deep-chested build argues for calm feeding. Persistent problems deserve a veterinary opinion rather than an unguided switch of food.
Not sure what to put in the bowl? See our picks for the best dog food for large breeds.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket, and a slow feeder bowl if your dog inhales dinner. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Billy
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 chew toys built for strong jaws 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.