Poitevin
A large French pack scenthound bred for hunting wolf and deer over long distances. Sociable and gentle with its pack, but a tireless worker built for the field.
Poitevin scorecard
Overview
The Poitevin is a large, elegant French pack scenthound developed in the Poitou region of western France for hunting over long distances, originally even wolf and later deer. Standing around 60–72 cm at the shoulder and weighing roughly 30–34 kg, it is a tall, lean and powerfully built hound made for stamina and speed across open country. Its short tricolour coat and noble bearing reflect its long history as a working pack dog.
In the UK the Poitevin is extremely rare and is not separately recognised by the Kennel Club; it is recognised by the FCI and maintained chiefly in France as a hunting hound. It is sociable and gentle by nature but has very demanding exercise needs and a strong hound voice, which makes it best suited to experienced, rural owners rather than to a typical pet home.
Good to know — a Poitevin needs plenty of space and better with some experience. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The breed was developed from the eighteenth century in the marshes and plains of Poitou, where packs were used for testing hunts over great distances. It was shaped by crossing native French hounds with imported stock, and was prized for its nose, voice and remarkable endurance. The breed suffered heavy losses at times in its history, including outbreaks of disease that decimated packs, and was rebuilt by dedicated French huntsmen.
The FCI recognises the Poitevin within its scenthound section, and it remains primarily a working pack hound rather than a companion or show dog. As a result, breed-specific health and longevity data is limited, and much of the available information comes from French hunting and breed organisations rather than large pet-population studies.
Temperament & family fit
Poitevins are typically friendly, gentle and very sociable, a temperament bred into them by generations of pack life. They generally get on extremely well with other dogs and are good-natured with people and children. This is a calm, even-tempered hound at rest, but one that comes alive in the field and is driven by an exceptionally strong instinct to follow scent.
Because it is bred to work cooperatively over long distances away from its handler, the Poitevin is independent and not naturally inclined to stay close. It is a vocal breed with a deep, carrying bay, and its sociability means it does not enjoy being left alone for long periods. These traits make it a wonderful pack and country dog but a challenging suburban pet.
- Families with children of all ages
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Active homes with plenty of space
Training & intelligence
Training a Poitevin requires patience and an understanding of the hound mindset. The breed is intelligent and willing within its working context but can be single-minded once it picks up a scent, making recall the central challenge. Reward-based, consistent methods and early socialisation help, but owners should not expect the precise off-lead obedience of a herding breed.
Managing the breed's voice and its tendency to roam in pursuit of scent is an important part of ownership. Secure fencing, long-line training in open areas and plenty of legitimate scenting outlets all help channel the dog's instincts. This is a breed best matched to owners experienced with scenthounds.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Poitevin typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, training games and puzzle feeding go a long way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Grooming is straightforward. The short, dense coat needs only occasional brushing to remove loose hair and keep it healthy, and the breed is generally clean and easy to maintain. The ears, being long and pendulous, should be checked and cleaned regularly to guard against infection, and the dog should be checked over for cuts, thorns and grass seeds after working in cover.
- Brush occasionally to remove loose hair
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, balanced diet matched to the dog's size and high activity level, with extra calories required during periods of hard work. As a deep-chested large breed, the Poitevin benefits from having its food split across two meals and from avoiding vigorous exercise immediately before and after eating. Maintaining a lean, fit body condition protects the joints, and fresh water should always be available.
Poitevin health & costs
Before bringing a Poitevin home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£600–850 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£35–62 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£0–60 / year
Mostly DIY at home
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
As a functional working pack hound, the Poitevin is generally considered a hardy, athletic breed, but it is rare enough that detailed breed-specific health statistics are not readily available. Owners should treat it as broadly robust while remaining alert to the health considerations common to large, deep-chested, drop-eared scenthounds.
As with all big breeds, attention to gradual exercise in growing dogs, sensible feeding to avoid bloat risk, and routine ear care is wise. Buyers should seek out breeders who work within the FCI framework, ask about the health and longevity of the dog's relatives, and ensure routine veterinary preventive care.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat) — a life-threatening risk in deep-chested large breeds; feed measured meals and avoid hard exercise around feeding.
- Ear infections (otitis externa) — long pendulous ears need regular checking and cleaning, especially after water and cover work.
- Hip and joint problems — large, active breeds are prone to joint wear and developmental conditions; sensible exercise in growth helps.
- Working injuries — cuts, sprains and grass-seed problems are common in hounds that run in rough terrain.
- Limited breed-specific data — formal prevalence figures are scarce, so discuss family health history with the breeder.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Poitevin; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Poitevin puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Poitevin
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early — larger breeds age sooner, so start senior care from around 6–7 years.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Sociable and gentle with other dogs
- Great stamina and easy-care coat
Things to consider
- Very demanding exercise needs
- Strong nose and loud hound voice
Compare the Poitevin
See how the Poitevin measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Similar temperament
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Frequently asked questions
What is a Poitevin dog?
The Poitevin is a large, elegant French pack scenthound developed in the Poitou region of western France to hunt over long distances, originally even wolf and later deer. Standing around 60–72 cm and weighing roughly 30–34 kg, it is tall, lean and powerfully built for stamina and speed, with a short tricolour coat and noble bearing.
What is the temperament of a Poitevin?
Poitevins are typically friendly, gentle and very sociable, a temperament bred into them by generations of pack life. They get on extremely well with other dogs and are good-natured with people and children. They are calm at rest but come alive in the field, driven by an exceptionally strong instinct to follow scent.
How much exercise does a Poitevin need?
A great deal. The Poitevin has very high exercise needs and requires hours of vigorous daily activity in safe, open country. Bred to run all day, it is not satisfied by short walks and can become frustrated and noisy without enough outlet. Long off-lead runs in secure areas, scent work and canine company all suit it well.
Are Poitevins good apartment dogs?
No. The Poitevin's size, deep carrying bay, scent drive and stamina make it unsuitable for apartments, for homes with noise-sensitive neighbours, or for owners who are out all day. It is suited only to active, rural homes with experienced owners, secure space and ideally the company of other dogs.
Are Poitevins easy to train?
Training a Poitevin takes patience and an understanding of the hound mindset. It is intelligent and willing within its working context but can be single-minded once it picks up a scent, making recall the central challenge. Reward-based, consistent methods and early socialisation help, but owners should not expect herding-breed off-lead obedience.
Do Poitevins bark a lot?
The Poitevin is a vocal breed with a deep, carrying bay typical of pack scenthounds. It can become noisy if under-exercised or frustrated, and it does not enjoy being left alone for long periods. Plenty of exercise, scenting outlets and company help, but its voice is one reason it suits rural homes rather than close-set housing.
What grooming and health care does a Poitevin need?
Grooming is straightforward: the short, dense coat needs only occasional brushing, and the long, pendulous ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to guard against infection. As a deep-chested large breed it benefits from split meals and avoiding vigorous exercise around feeding. Detailed breed-specific health data is limited, so treat it as broadly robust with sensible large-breed care.
How long do Poitevins live?
Poitevins typically live around 11–13 years. As a functional working pack hound, the breed is generally considered hardy and athletic, though it is rare enough that detailed breed-specific health statistics are not readily available. Gradual exercise for growing dogs, sensible feeding and routine veterinary care support a long, healthy life.
Are Poitevins good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Poitevins tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Poitevin need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Poitevin needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Poitevins shed a lot?
Moderate shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Poitevins easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. Poitevins are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Poitevins bark a lot?
Vocal / alert barker. They can be quite vocal, so early training and enough exercise and stimulation help keep barking in check.
Are Poitevins good with other dogs?
Very sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Poitevins suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Poitevin really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.
Sources
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — breed standard and nomenclature (Poitevin) — https://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/
- Société Centrale Canine (SCC) — French national kennel club breed information — https://www.centrale-canine.fr/
- The Kennel Club — hound group guidance and Breeds A to Z — https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/breeds-a-to-z/
- PDSA — large-breed care, bloat and exercise advice — https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.