Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is one of three Grand Anglo-Français breeds and is thought to be the rarest of them all. They are a large hound dog with short, white and orange fur and medium-sized drooping ears. Their lean, muscular bodies allow for a great athletic ability, and they excel when it comes to hunting.
While it is true that the majority, if not all, breed members are kept in packs as hunting dogs, in the correct environment and with adequate exercise, it is quite possible that this breed would make a suitable family pet. They form close bonds with their family and are laid-back and obedient within the home.
About & History
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange, or the Grand Anglo-Français white and orange hound, is the product of crossing French scenting hounds with English Foxhounds in the early 19th century. The Billy, a large, French scent hound is thought to be one of the main French breeds that contributed to their development.
One of three Anglo-Français hounds, the term ‘Grand‘ (or ‘big’ in French) refers not to the size of the dog, nor to the game that the hunt, but to the size of the pack that they hunt in. Packs can be incredibly big, containing over a hundred dogs. The other Grand Anglo-Français breeds are the Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore and the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir. The three breeds are distinguished by their coat colour alone.
An instinctive hunter, the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange has a superb sense of smell and has the ability to track an animal for miles. Surprisingly nimble, this dog can cover a large amount of land in a small space of time. They are best known for their ability to hunt deer and boar but are equally adept at hunting smaller animals, such as rabbits and foxes.
While the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is very rare and thought to be mainly confined to their native France, they have been recognised by the UKC since 2006 within their scent hound group. Some sources state that there are a few breed members in America today, although this has been difficult to clarify. The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is thought to be kept solely as a working dog and is not generally kept as a companion animal or show dog.
Appearance
An authentic working dog, the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange should be well-muscled and built in proportion. The shape of their head is quite flat and their square muzzle should not be overly long. Their prominent nose should have large nostrils and may be either black or an orangey-brown. Their soulful, dark eyes are deep set and spaced quite widely apart. Their floppy ears hang down to their muzzle and should tilt inwards. Their deep chest reaches their elbows. Their lean limbs end in round feet. The characteristic tail of the breed is long and slim, with some brushing to it.
The short coat of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange may be either white and orange or white and lemon. The shade of orange must not be too dark, and any red or black fur would not be accepted in the show-ring. The coat colour is what differentiates the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange from the other two Grand Anglo-Français breeds. Tall and slim animals, these dogs reach heights of between 60cm and 70cm, and weigh from 30kg to 36kg.
Character & Temperament
A working dog through and through, this is a breed that is not usually recommended for a family seeking out a companion animal. They are natural born hunters and thrive when they are outside and scenting. Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange dogs are obedient dogs that listen well to their master and can be trained to a high degree.
When interacting with humans, this dog tends to be respectful and tolerant. Anecdotally, they can be trusted with children, though make quite sober companions, rarely keen to play or fool around. When it comes to having other dogs as company, the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is very used to the presence of other canines, happy to accept them into their life. Due to the rarity of this dog, and the fact that they are not kept primarily as a pet, there is not much more information available regarding their personality traits and quirks.
Trainability
As the vast majority of Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange dogs are purchased with the intention of keeping them as hunting animals, the priority for most owners is their natural hunting ability. This breed has a strong hunting instinct and will naturally know how to perform its job to a high standard.
With a tendency towards being stubborn, a confident and dominant trainer will work best with this breed. Quite intelligent, the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange responds well to positive reinforcement training.
Health
A rare breed for which health studies are non-existent and anecdotal evidence is seriously lacking, it is difficult to comment on the overall health of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange. Their reported lifespan is 10-13 years. Conditions to be on the watch for would include:
Ear Infections
As with many working dogs, exposure to long grass, mud and bodies of water predisposes them to ear infections – whether caused by a foreign body within the ear canal or by the growth of bacteria and yeast within a damp and humid ear canal. The shape of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange dogs’ ears means that moisture is unable to drain out and foreign material tends to lodge within the canal.
Clinical signs to watch out for include: a reddened ear canal, foul-smelling, dark discharge within the ear, tenderness when touched, head shaking and ear scratching. While cleaning of the ear will ameliorate symptoms, the vast majority of infections require medication that is prescribed by a veterinarian. If an infection is severe, a thorough cleaning under general anaesthetic may be needed before a treatment regime is put in place.
Hip Dysplasia
Many of the larger pure-bred dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, a disease which is known to have a genetic component. As good mobility and endurance is essential for a working dog, breeders should always attempt to breed those dogs who are known to have good quality hips.
Bloat
Larger, deep-chested dogs are more prone to developing bloat than other breeds. When the stomach of a dog bloats up, their abdomen will look visibly big. The pressure will cause the dog to pant and retch, and most dogs become very distressed. Immediate veterinary assessment is essential.
Some dogs will respond well to removal of the air and the stomach will decompress, not requiring any further intervention. Unfortunately, the stomach of some dogs’ will twist over, requiring a surgery to fix.
Exercise and Activity Levels
The majority, if not all, of these dogs are kept within outdoor kennels in packs. This set up can work okay, as long as the dog is worked often. They live to hunt and will be happy to do so at any given opportunity.
The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange is said to have an effortless gait, covering great distances with ease. A serious worker, they will diligently carry out their task with speed and elegance. It can be assumed that a dog kept for non-hunting purposes would need at least an hour or two of vigorous daily exercise to keep them happy.
It almost goes without saying that this energetic dog should be kept in a rural environment and trying to contain them in a small apartment or urban home would be a mistake.
Grooming
Not thought to be an excessive shedder, brushing the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange weekly should be sufficient. Fur matting is never an issue due to their smooth, short coat.
Lifting up the ear and checking within the canal is an essential task that an owner should perform at least weekly. Wax may need cleaning away with an ear cleaner and cotton wool. Dogs that get wet during their work will need more regular ear checks and should have their ears dried when they return home.
Famous Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange
A dog that is not widely known, there are no notable Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange breed members.
Cross-Breeds
There are no well-known cross-breeds of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange in existence.