Billy (dog)

The Billy is a large scenthound originating from central western France.

Billy
Poitou Hound 1915
Origin	France
Traits Height Males 60–70 cm (24–28 in) Females 58–62 cm (23–24 in) Coat Short Harsh to the touch Colour White or off-white; may have orange or lemon patches or mantle.
Kennel club standards Société Centrale Canine standard Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

Description

The Billy may be pure white, off-white or grey, with some displaying orange or lemon-yellow spots on the head and body. The coat is short, smooth, and somewhat harsh to the touch. Weight is between 72 and 104 lbs (max. 47 kg), and height is 60–70 cm (approx. 2 ft 3 in) at the shoulder, for males, and 58–62 cm (approx. 2 ft), for females.

The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) standard suggests that the dog should gallop easily in its movement.^[1] The standard for the breed was established in 1885.

The Billy is not suitable for a small house, needing a lot of exercise and being difficult to restrain and extremely fast.

History and use

The Billy was bred by Monsieur Gaston Hublot de Rivault Taco in the 19th century, and was named after his home, Château de Billy, in Poitou. The breed was created by combining the three original strains of the Poitevin: the Montemboeuf, Ceris and Larrye. While the extant Poitevin more-closely resembles the original, tricoloured Larrye line, de Rivault was more drawn to the paler colours associated with the Montemboeuf and Ceris lines, and colouration was a key factor when selecting breeding stock.^[2] The pack was dispersed in 1927, with the breed almost facing extinction, and only two hounds survived World War II;^[3] however, de Rivault's son, Anthony, set-about reviving the breed by judicious use of the Poitevin, the Porcelaine, and the Harrier.^[4]

The Billy became one of the foundational breeds used in the development of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange in the late 19th century.

Today, the Billy remains a rare breed, though there are several packs in its native France, used to hunt roe deer and wild boar.^[5]

See also

• Dogs portal
• List of dog breeds
• Scenthound
• Scenthound Group
• Hound

References

1. FCI, Billy
2. Alderton, Hounds of the World, p 94.
3. Fogle, The Encyclopedia of the Dog, p 196.
4. Alderton, Hounds of the World, pp 94-95.
5. Alderton, Hounds of the World, p 95.

Bibliography

• Alderton, David, Hounds of the World, Swan Hill Press, Shrewsbury, 2000, ISBN 1-85310-912-6.
• Cunliffe, Juliette, The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds Parragon, 2001, ISBN 0-7525-6561-3.
• Federation Cynologique Internationale, Billy, retrieved 12 Dec 14.
• Fogle, Bruce, The Encyclopedia of the Dog, DK Publishing, New York, 2009, ISBN 978-0-7566-6004-8.
• Hancock, David, Hounds: Hunting by Scent, The Crowood Press Ltd, Marlborough, 2014, ISBN 978-1-84797-601-7.