Billy vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison

Austrian Black and Tan Hound is originated from Austria but Billy is originated from France. Austrian Black and Tan Hound may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Billy. Both Austrian Black and Tan Hound and Billy are having almost same weight. Both Austrian Black and Tan Hound and Billy has same life span. Both Austrian Black and Tan Hound and Billy has almost same litter size. Austrian Black and Tan Hound requires High Maintenance. But Billy requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Austria
France
Height Male:
50 - 56 cm
19 - 23 inches
58 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
Height Female:
48 - 54 cm
18 - 22 inches
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 30 kg
35 - 67 pounds
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 28 kg
35 - 62 pounds
20 - 29 kg
44 - 64 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 5
Size:
Large
Giant
Other Names:
Osterreischische Glattaarige, Austrian Smooth-Coated Hound, Bracke, Brandlbracke and Vieraugl
Chien de France-Comte
Colors Available:
tan and black combination
White or off-white; may have orange or lemon patches or mantle.
Coat:
smooth, dense, short
harsh, short
Shedding:
Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Intelligent, Lively, Outgoing, Playful, Social
Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Stubborn
Grooming:
High Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

austrian black and tan houndWhen Celts began settling in Western Europe, they brought their dogs along. The Celtic Hounds had a duty to hunt, guard and fight in battles. They were, most likely, the ancestors of breeds like Greyhounds and Irish Wolfhounds. The original Austrian black and tan hound was created in Austria during the late nineteenth century. They were very specific dog breed because of their sharp nose, agility, speed, trainability and extraordinary persistence while hunting or tracking.

The Billy (or Billie) Dog is a rare breed developed in France and mostly still only found in France. Created in the 19th century by Monsieur Gaston Hublot de Rivault and named after his home, Chateau de Billy, he is hunting dog of high quality. The Billy dog was developed by crossing the Poitevin’s original three lines – the Larrye, the Ceris and the Montemboeuf. In developing the Billy, Rivault favored the colors found in the Ceris and Montemboeuf strains as opposed to the tricolors of the Larrye strain. The Billy is a scent hound from all the lines leading back to the monks of the Saint Hubert Monastery in the middle ages, in Belgium, then refined in Gaul (France). The Billy line was considered the most elegant French breed and they were the last breed to come from that large scent hound type that the French nobility and royalty loved to breed.

In 1886 the Federation Cynoloquique Internationale established the standard for the Billy breed. The breed was a great hunter with resilience, speed, scenting and fortitude. The Billy hunted in large packs in pursuit of Wild Boar and Roe Deer. This was accomplished by the crossing of great hunters developed for their specific skills. The Ceris was amazing in its skill to hunt down wolves and hares. The Montemboeuf was a large, elegant dog that hunted wild boar and Larrye for his strong scent ability. Since these three breeds were true French breeds, the Billy was a true aristocratic scent hound in a pure scent hound line.

This gregarious, handsome dog became extremely popular in France in the 19th century. Unfortunately, the World Wars of the 20th century would take their toll on this rare breed and they were almost extinct by the late 1900’. There were only two hounds left by the end of the Second World War. Anthony Rivault, the son of Gaston, set about saving the breed by incorporating the lines of Harrier, the Poilevin and the Porcelaine with the two remaining hounds. From there the breed has been revived and is no longer on the verge of extinction. They are still rare and certainly not “popular”, but they are excellent hunters, especially hunting in packs. Today they are considered one of the breeds used to develop the Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange in France and there are several packs that hunt roe deer in France, while a couple packs are used to hunt wild boar.

Description

austrian black and tan hound puppy - descriptionThe Austrian black and tan hound is one of the larger dog breeds. The coat colour of this breed is unique: the coat must be black with small and defined fawn markings. The body, head and legs are black, with dark or fawn markings with the fawn marks above the eyes.

The Black and Tan is a smooth coated, slim breed with the broad chest and a wide skull shape. Their teeth meet in a scissor bite. They don’t have very long ears and their tail is long and slightly bent.

The Billy dog is powerful, beautiful and built extremely well. He is large but he should also be light weight and lean. He has an athletic look, powerful muscles, and strong bones. He has floppy ears, dark eyes with dark rims and a white coat. This breed has a medium size head with a domed forehead and square muzzle. The ears are high on the head, flat and floppy while the neck is long and strong. Shoulders are also long and the back broad, the thighs muscular and the feet round. He has a long fluffy tail. The coat is short and can be seen through to the skin. He has white skin with brown spots and the fur is white or off white. The females are smaller than the males. He is a great family companion as well as a hunter. They have high pitched voices and they can be howlers. They have a strong prey drive and are great hunters. They can be great companion dogs for any family, just watch them with small children and small animals. They are big enough to need a lot of space and a lot of exercise. Scent hounds can be stubborn, and that trait is not lost on the Billy dog.

Characteristics

Adaptability

austrian black and tan hound dog - characteristicsThe Austrian Black and Tan Hound get along well with strangers, other dogs or any animals. If they are not trained, their instinct to hunt will be a problem for other, smaller dogs and small animals. This is why this breed can’t be a guard dog. He is usually very friendly, and he remains friendly in most situations. It is very easy to train and socialize them, but you must remain firm while teaching them right from wrong. They are not the breed for the indoor, apartments or senior citizens. If you are not able to fulfil his daily need for activity, he can become quite destructive.

Bite statistic

Nonexistent for the last 30 years. But, if the dog gets mistreated, neglected or threatened – this breed knows to be aggressive. But, if you are a good and loving owner who makes sure that your dog is well raised, fed, loved, trained and socialized while he is still a pup, you will have no reason for the fear.

Even though the Billy Breed is very rare and faced potential extinction it is a terrific sporting dog who loves children, other dogs, and adults. He could be a good family dog if his exercise needs are met. He is social, gregarious, and gentle with people. They are happiest in a pack and do not do well in a one dog household. They form extremely strong bonds with their people and household. They are friendly and outgoing. This makes them a poor choice for guard dog. They have an exceptionally well-developed prey drive do they might be aggressive toward any animal smaller than them. This includes the family cat, other smaller dogs, hamsters etc.

Health Problems

Hip and elbow dysplasia

austrian black and tan hound puppies - health problems(hip or elbow joint malformation) can happen from injury or overuse of the joints since the Austrian black and tan hound is a runner and jumper.

Ear diseases

They have sensitive ears and they can suffer from ear infections. To avoid this, you must have regular vet checks and have a habit of regular cleaning - hygiene of their ears.

Demodectic mange

Caused by Demodex canis. If you notice hair loss, redness and scaling you must take your pet to the vet urgently since this disease can be transmitted humans.

Despite their history of almost becoming extinct the Billy dog is a hearty and healthy group. They do tend to get Bronchitis and colds due to the short, thin coat. Keep them indoors during winter. Another area of concern is the ears. They are prone to ear infections so keep their ears clean. They should not be exposed to cold weather. The Billy life expectancy is 10-14 years which is very good for such a large dog.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

austrian black and tan hound dogs - caringAustrian Black and Tan Hounds don’t eat a lot even if you might think that they do. The truth is that they won’t need more than the prescribed portions that can be found in the instructions of high-quality dry dog food per day. All you have to do is make sure they have 3 meals during the day until they are 6 months old, and later they can settle for two meals per day.

Don’t give them the freedom to eat as much as they want. That can cause serious health complications. Their stomachs won’t be able to digest human food because it is usually made with a lot of spices. You can feed them with treats like eggs, fresh cheese, fruits and vegetables are okay as treats but only if these treats make less than 10% of their daily portion.

Points for Good Health

This playful dog needs the daily dose of outside activities. The grooming is easy but it must be regular. Once-a-week brushing at least is necessary. They don’t need to be bathed regularly but you must check their skin conditions daily since they have high risks of skin diseases. Nails need to be trimmed since they grow too fast and ears need to be cleaned every day to avoid ear infections.

Games and Exercises

The Austrian Black and Tan Hound are like any hound: they have an excellent sense of smell and they love to explore. They like to run and they can run for miles. Any outside activity will be a good choice. They like to bark and they bark even when they are happy. They are usually friendly towards strangers and other dogs, so the dog park is a good choice as well. They will love being at playgrounds as well since they love children and they can be a great Frisbee partner.

Feeding

The Billy dog is large, muscular and lean. Do not overfeed him, but you can safely free feed. Watch to be sure he does not gain too much weight and if he does go to two feedings per day.

Health issues

As previously mentioned this is a healthy, long-lived dog. Watch for ear infections and keep him out of extreme cold.

Exercise/Games

This is a very athletic, active hunter, who needs a lot of exercise. Daily walks are good, but he needs 45 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Remember he was bred to hunt and loves to do so. Find activities that let him use his athletic skills and strong sense of smell. He needs a big yard to romp in. He will excel at obedience, barn hunt and agility. A lure game might be good also, but he would be happier with a scent oriented “find it” game.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Billy vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Billy vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Billy vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Billy vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Billy vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Billy vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Billy vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Billy vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Billy vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Billy vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Billy vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Billy vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Billy vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Billy vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Billy vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Billy vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Billy vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Billy vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Billy vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Billy vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Billy vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Billy vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Billy vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Billy vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Billy vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Austrian Black and Tan Hound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison