King's White Hound
Also known as: Chien Blanc du Roi
Originating in France, the King's White Hound is a rare breed known for its distinctive white coat. The King's White Hound comes from France. Individual King's White Hounds vary, so treat this as a general guide rather than a guarantee.
Breed at a glance
- Origin
- France
- Other names
- Chien Blanc du Roi
About the King's White Hound
Originating in France, the King's White Hound is a rare breed known for its distinctive white coat. Characteristics and history of this breed are detailed below.
Overview
The King''s White Hound , the Chien Blanc du Roi in French, was a breed of scent hound from France that is now extinct. The breed was said to be the favourite of the French kings from Louis XI to Louis XIV .
History
The King''s White Hounds were said to have descended from a pure white St. Hubert Hound named Souillard that was gifted to King Louis XI by a poor squire from Poitou in 1470. The hound was passed to the king''s daughter, Anne de Beaujeu , he was widely used at stud and his white progeny gradually replaced the hounds in the king''s pack until the whole pack was white. Several notable infusions of outside blood were added to the pack, in 1500 Louis XII introduced an Italian Pointer called Greffier, in 1520 François I introduced a powerful Grand Fauve de Bretagne called Miraud, and in 1560 Mary, Queen of Scots gifted a Talbot Hound named Barraud to her husband François II , all of these infusions improved the breed. The White Hounds reached the height of their fame during the reign of Louis XIII (1610–1643) when they were renowned throughout Europe for their speed, being able to run a stag down in half an hour and kill four stags in a day''s hunting. By this time the breed displayed many sighthound features and hunted as much by sight as by scent. By Louis XIII''s death the hunt employed over 90 hunt servants, and under Louis XIV the pack consisted of over 100 hounds and costs continued to rise. Towards the end of Louis XIV''s reign (1643–1715) the king was becoming too infirm to follow the fast paced White Hounds on horseback, wishing to follow the hunt from a carriage from 1700 the hounds were crossed with the slower Norman Hounds to slow them down. At the beginning of his reign (1715–1774), Louis XV wanted to revive the pack, so his son the Count of Toulouse procured English Staghounds which were crossed with the pack. In 1725 the pack was dispersed and the king adopted a new pack consisting of English Foxhound crosses. The King''s White Hounds are believed to have been foundational in the development of a number of French hound breeds, including the Grand Griffon Vendéen , the Porcelaine and the Billy , the latter is sometimes called the Chien Blanc du Roi.
Characteristics
The King''s White Hounds were large, powerful hounds, initially they were deep scenting, long eared scent hounds close to the St. Hubert Hound , later they displayed many features of sighthounds. Charles IX said of them they "were as tall as grey-hounds , with heads as fine as braques ..." Whilst initially all white in colour, despite their name the White Hounds in fact came in a number of colours from pure white, to white with yellow, red or black spots or patches, to badger or pure black. They were said to have great courage and were not easily distracted by the large retinue of hunt followers that followed the royal hunts.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key characteristics of the King's White Hound?
The King's White Hound was a large, powerful hound with a deep scenting ability. Initially, they were long-eared scent hounds, but later they displayed features of sighthounds. They were described as being as tall as greyhounds with fine heads, and initially, they were all white in colour.
Is the King's White Hound a good family dog?
Unfortunately, the King's White Hound is an extinct breed, so it's not possible to consider their suitability as a family pet. However, as a scent hound, they were likely to be energetic and require regular exercise and training. General guidance for scent hounds suggests they can be good with families if properly socialized and exercised.
What health problems do King's White Hounds have?
As the King's White Hound is an extinct breed, there is limited information available on specific health problems. However, scent hounds are generally prone to injuries and health issues related to their energetic nature and long ears. Regular veterinary care and monitoring can help identify potential issues early on.
How much does a King's White Hound puppy cost?
Since the King's White Hound is an extinct breed, it's not possible to purchase a puppy. However, if you're interested in a similar breed, the cost of a puppy can vary greatly depending on factors like bloodline, breeder reputation, and location. Research the specific breed you're interested in to get an idea of the typical cost.
Where do King's White Hounds come from?
The King's White Hound comes from France. The breed developed there before spreading to dog fanciers worldwide.
Related breeds
Breed information on this page is based on the Wikipedia article on the King's White Hound, supplemented with additional research. Reviewed for accuracy.