Poitevin Dog

The Poitevin Dog is a breed of scent hounds that developed in France. They are hunter dogs proficient in hunting large animals including wolves and deer. The Poitevin is a strongly-built canine having a long and slim head and neck. Their ears are floppy, the eyes are large and round, while the muzzle is long, with a pointed tip. They have a broad chest, strong wolf-like feet, and a long tail. Today they are tough to find and are almost exclusively kept by hunters.

Poitevin Dog Pictures

History & Development

In 1692, the Poitevin Dog was developed in the Poitou region of Western France by one Marquis Francois de Larrye. De Larrye created this dog from the Montemboeuf and the now extinct Chien Ceris breeds. Since then, these dogs were used to hunt wolves, boars, deer, and foxes.

This breed was much established until Larrye died in the guillotine during the Reign of Terror, and these dogs got dispersed. Larrye’s family, however, could somehow manage to rebuild the breed and maintain the line. Their population once again began to decline during the 18^th century French Revolution, when rabies turned out to be an epidemic in 1842, and also after the devastations of the World War II.

In 1844, the blood of the English Foxhound was added to the gene pool of the Poitevin in order to revive the breed. Until 1957, the breed was known as Chien de Haut-Poitou, and on January 1, 1996, it was recognized by the FCI as the Poitevin. At present, these dogs are extremely rare and are almost exclusively bred and used by the hunters.

Temperament and Behavior

Poitevins are loyal to their owners and family members, though they are not affectionate in general. Because of their pack hound instinct, they can stay comfortably in kennels even with other dogs and are not suitable for apartment living.

This breed is not appropriate for very young kids, strangers or other animals. They have a natural guard dog instinct. With their high prey drive, they would often run after any small animal they would see around. Poitevins are not the type to stay alone for long hours, and if left alone, might bark incessantly only to trouble the neighbors.

Training

You might want to consult a professional trainer unless you are a very experienced and consistent dog owner.

• You should spend some time regularly in teaching your dog to remain calm and silent when you are not around. Right from the time your dog is a puppy, begin with leaving it alone for 10-15 minutes, while you move out of your house. Increase this time gradually and come back with a treat. Express your love through physical contacts like hugging and cuddling. Such an act will help it relate your absence with the love you show and the gift you bring, and it would learn to hold patience and stay quiet until you return.
• It is important to socialize this breed thoroughly. Ask a new friend to visit you and press the doorbell. Wait and watch how your pup reacts to it. If it starts yapping, ask it to stop using gestures – holding your finger on your mouth, uttering ‘shhh’ or just say, ‘quiet’ and give it a treat. Let your friend come in and sit with you, while you share your attention with both your friend and your pup. Let your dog understand that the ‘stranger’ is someone dear to you just like it is, and there is nothing to be wary of.
• Your dog is a pack dog and has a prey drive, which might entice it to indulge in mischiefs at times. Buy interactive games and dog puzzles to keep your dog busy, and at the same time, have some brain gym, rather than roam or bark around and chase birds and small animals.

Diet/Feeding

This big dog needs 3-4 cups of good-quality dry kibbles daily. Divide this quantity into two main meals.

Interesting Facts

• While hunting, the Poitevin Dog can travel up to 56 kilometers in one day, as well as follow a scent for up to seven hours.