Origin
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is a hunting dog of the scenthound type, which originated in France by crossing French scenthounds with English (Anglo) foxhounds, including other dog breeds. These dogs had a long history and had been used by the French royalty since the late 1600s.
Its name translates to ‘Anglo-French of Small Hunting’. The word “small” refers to the game, not the dog.
It was primarily used in the Chasse-à-Tir, where the pack of dogs (or sometimes just one dog) circles the game animal and chases it back towards the waiting hunter.
Before 1978 the breed was called the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie, as it is the smallest of the Anglo-French hounds.
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is ubiquitous in France yet is considered to be a rare breed elsewhere in the world.
The breed has a certain resemblance to the Harrier dog, which was one of the many breeds crossed with the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie.
Hares, boars, and foxes are a few of the wild animals that were hunted down by the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie before.
It was first recognized internationally in 1983 by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, placing it to Group 6 of Scenthounds. The said breed was then brought to North America where it was officially recognized by the United Kennel Club in January 1996.
Traits and Behavior
It is a dog that is very energetic and loves to work. They also love to be in their pack, so ideally, if dog owners decide to have an Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie as a household pet, they should have more than just one dog of this particular breed.
These dogs can live most of the time outside the house (provided with a kennel). Having a sweet personality, they are gentle and affectionate towards children.
However, they can sometimes become stubborn, which can make training difficult.
Because these are active hunting dogs are usually kept in rural areas, they are not suitable to live in the city, especially in an apartment-type of living condition.
The Anglo-Français de Petite Venerie’s nose is powerful enough to pick up any scent and trace it back to its source.
Because of this superior quality, the dog might get curious the moment it smells anything unusual and would tend to follow its location. If you live near the streets, this is quite dangerous.
A fully fenced yard is necessary to keep them isolated on your property. But if you are hunting with this dog, they should always be on a leash so you wouldn’t lose them when they get excited.
Pet Care and Diseases
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie dogs are not known to have many health concerns except for the common infestation problem involving fleas considering that they are fond of roaming outside the house more than being indoors.
They are also at risk of acquiring ear infections caused by bacteria if they live in a warm moist climate.
Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is best suited for a hunter who would like a pack of these dogs to sniff out prey.
Although they can be a dog solely for the family, they need the company of fellow other dogs for them to get socialized and not get bored.
The short coat makes it easy to groom these dogs, they just need a good brushing up every week using a brush with a soft bristle to catch the unwanted shedding.
Being outdoorsy dog, they need a good bath at least once every month.
Appearance
Generally, the medium-sized Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie has a height of about 54-56 cm and a weight of approximately 16-19 kg (30-50 pounds).
Like many of the French hounds, this dog looks elegant and delicate. The Anglo has the face of a hound yet has a long and lithe neck, giving a somewhat peculiar appearance. Their bodies are long and lean making them look like they are even taller than their true height. Their ears are also reminiscent of a hound, long and droopy.
Their short coat shows off the slight muscles in their chest and legs, and their tail is extensive and slender. The coat is short and dense and is often seen in the color combination popular in French hounds – orange and white. They can also be in white and black or tricolor.
General Information
Their life longevity can be up to 14-15 years if they are kept in a good hearty condition. The average litter size is around 4-6 puppies. it is often called as the Anglo-Francais de MoyenVénerie.
Breed Club
Visit this dog club website dedicated to Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie. Click this link: http://www.anglo-francais-petite-venerie.fr/