Billy vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison | MyDogBreeds

Both Billy and Artois Hound are originated from France. Billy may grow 9 cm / 4 inches higher than Artois Hound. Both Billy and Artois Hound are having almost same weight. Both Billy and Artois Hound has same life span. Billy may have less litter size than Artois Hound. Billy requires Moderate maintenance. But Artois Hound requires Low maintenance

History

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.

artois hound - historyThe Artois Hound developed in France, essentially from the Picardy and Artois regions of northern France. The idea was to use them for the hunting of hares, fox and wild boars during the time of King Henry IV and Louis XIII. Unfortunately, with cross-breeding, the bloodline all but deteriorated and it took a couple of decades for the Artois breed to be restored.

After the 2nd world war, there was once again concern about the breed becoming extinct. A certain Mr.Audréchy from northern France stepped in and the breed was built up again. Today this hunting dog is essentially found in France, and a few hundred of them are registered with the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI), and both the FCI and the United Kennel Club (UKC) recognize the Artois Hound.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
France
France
Height Male:
58 - 68 cm
22 - 27 inches
52 - 59 cm
20 - 24 inches
Height Female:
56 - 66 cm
22 - 26 inches
50 - 59 cm
19 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
22 - 32 kg
48 - 71 pounds
28 - 30 kg
61 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 29 kg
44 - 64 pounds
26 - 30 kg
57 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
3 - 5
8 - 15
Size:
Giant dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Chien de France-Comte
French Artois Hound, Picard or Briquet
Colors Available:
White or off-white; may have orange or lemon patches or mantle.
Tri-Colour - white, tan, black
Coat:
harsh, short
short-haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Outgoing, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Social, Stubborn, Sweet
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Moderate
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

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.

artois hound puppy - descriptionLooking much like the Basset Hound and also referred to as French Artois Hound, Picard or Briquet, the muscled Artois Hound is a descendant of the Bloodhound and a rare breed.

The dog is well built with a large head, large eyes and large, hanging ears. He has a short coat, with the main colours being white, tan and black.

The energetic Artois Hound is a medium-to-large sized dog breed, and by FCI standard, they should be 20 inches to 22 3/4 inches tall from ground to withers.They weigh between 25 – 30kg or 55 and 65 pounds, are well muscled and strong with a short, dense coat.

A Friendly Character – Gets on with Children

These dogs are known for their endurance, making them ideal as a hunting- or walking companion. The Artois Hound is full of energy and he will require plenty of boisterous activities as well as training and socialization.

Although this is an intelligent breed, he can be stubborn. He’s a friendly character and will get on well with children, loving their energy and games. He’s amicable, and will also get on with other pets in the home too.

Not Aggressive – won’t Pass as a Good Watchdog

Artois Hounds are loyal to their human families. They’re not particularly good watchdogs though as they aren’t aggressive dogs, being social and friendly.

Characteristics

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.

artois hound dog - characteristicsYour Artois is an ideal family pet when you provide him with the love and attention that any member of a family deserves. Buy your Artois from a reputable breeder so that all the excellent characteristics of this lively breed are found in your 4-legged friend.

A Devoted, Loyal Friend with an ID Collar

The Artois is just waiting to be your devoted companion and will promise unconditional friendship in exchange for quality food, veterinary care, exercise and attention. To make sure you never lose your pet, outfit him with a collar and ID tag so that should he become lost, the chances are far better that he’ll be found.

He’s Intelligent and Trainable – with Patience

A dog isn’t a human and you want to always make sure that you’re reasonable with what to expect from him. Most little problems with your wonderful friend can be solved with kindness, compassion and patience.

Health Problems

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.

artois hound puppies - health problemsThere are no known health problems that come as specific to the Artois Hound. The health problems that do develop are common ailments that can be found in most other dog breeds too.

Your Artois Hound will still need to visit the vet as a puppy for a thorough check-up as well as vaccinations and for any health issues he may have.

Oral Health

check for bad breath problems. Dental plaque can cause a nasty odour that will require dental treatment from a professional. The dog’s teeth can be maintained by brushing the teeth regularly with special canine toothpaste- and brush. However your dog’s bad breath could be indicative of other health problems such as diabetes.

Parasites, fleas, ticks and worms – there are many new treatments to manage these pests and your veterinarian will guide you towards a treatment for your pet.

Heartworm

if your pet is exposed to mosquitoes often, the insect carries the worm from dog to dog. Speak to your vet about treatment, more so when you live in a warm, wet area where mosquitoes thrive.

Vaccinations

Your Artois Hound puppy will have to be vaccinated with a combo vaccine to protect him from hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza. They should have received their first immunizations by 8 weeks of age. Speak to your vet about rabies shots as well.

Caring The Pet

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.

artois hound dogs - caringThe beauty with the Artois Hound is that he is low-maintenance and he will only require the basic tender loving care to keep him happy and healthy.

Grooming

The Artois isn’t a high maintenance dog and the low-shedding, short-haired coat will required a good brush a couple of times a week to remove loose hairs. The dog only requires a bath when absolutely necessary as bathing dries out natural oils in the skin. Never use a human shampoo – only a proper dog shampoo.

Feeding

Artois Hound puppies up to 12 weeks will need to be fed every 6 hours. Puppies of 6 months and older can have 2 bowls of food, and from one year of age, one bowl of food may be adequate. It’s an individual choice as 2 smaller meals a day can also suffice. Speak to your vet about premium-quality dry- and wet foods as well as about making your own dog food. You want to ensure the foods eliminate mineral and vitamin deficiencies. Ensure there is ALWAYS a bowl of fresh, cool water within your dog’s reach.

Exercise

This is a hunting dog so he will need plenty of exercise. Without regular exercise, a dog like the Artois becomes frustrated and destructive. Your Artois is your 4-legged family member, and according to age and individual traits will benefit from throwing ball games, pulling on ropes and running while you cycle. The cherry on the top is that you benefit from the exercise too!

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Irish Wolfhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  2. Francais Blanc et Orange vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  3. Billy vs American Staghound - Breed Comparison
  4. Scottish Deerhound vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  5. Great Dane vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  6. English Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  7. Newfoundland Dog vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  8. Neapolitan Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  9. Leonberger vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  10. Bully Kutta vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  11. Mountain Burmese vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  12. Gaddi Kutta vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  13. Billy vs Bernese Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  14. Billy vs Anatolian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  15. Billy vs American Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  16. Billy vs Alaunt - Breed Comparison
  17. Billy vs Alangu Mastiff - Breed Comparison
  18. Billy vs American Molossus - Breed Comparison
  19. Pyrenean Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  20. Bisben vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  21. Moscow Watchdog vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  22. Nebolish Mastiff vs Billy - Breed Comparison
  23. East Siberian Laika vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  24. French Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  25. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  26. Finnish Spitz vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Ariegeois vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Beagador vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  30. English Water Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  31. Field Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  32. Artois Hound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  33. Curly Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  34. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Braque Francais vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  36. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Shikoku vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  38. Slovakian Hound vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  39. Small Munsterlander vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  40. Sussex Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  41. Kooikerhondje vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  42. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. West Siberian Laika vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Wetterhoun vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  45. Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Braque Saint-Germain vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  47. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds