The Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is a medium-sized
breed
A breed is a specific group of breedable domestic animals having homogeneous appearance (phenotype), homogeneous behavior, and/or other characteristics that distinguish it from other organisms of the same species. In literature, there exist seve ...
of
dog
The dog (''Canis familiaris'' or ''Canis lupus familiaris'') is a domesticated descendant of the gray wolf. Also called the domestic dog, it was selectively bred from a population of wolves during the Late Pleistocene by hunter-gatherers. ...
used in
hunting
Hunting is the Human activity, human practice of seeking, pursuing, capturing, and killing wildlife or feral animals. The most common reasons for humans to hunt are to obtain the animal's body for meat and useful animal products (fur/hide (sk ...
as a
scenthound
Canton_of_Bern.html" ;"title="Franz Rudolf Frisching in the uniform of an officer of the Canton of Bern">Bernese Huntsmen Corps with his Berner Laufhund, painted by Jean Preudhomme in 1785
Scent hounds (or scenthounds) are a Dog type, type of h ...
, usually in packs. It is one of the
Anglo-French hound breeds which were created by crossing French scenthounds with English
foxhound
A foxhound is a type of large hunting hound bred for strong hunting instincts, a keen sense of smell, and their barking, energy, drive, and speed. In fox hunting, the foxhound's namesake, packs of foxhounds track quarry, followed—usually on ho ...
s. The name ''Petite Vénerie'' does not mean that dogs of the breed are ''petite'' or small, but rather that it is used to hunt small game.
History and use
The Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie was created from crosses of older Anglo-French hounds with Harrier (Beagle) and
Poitevin, and also with the
Petit Gascon-Saintongeois and the
Petit bleu de Gascogne
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a breed of dog of the scenthound type, originating in France and used for hunting in packs. Today's breed is the descendant of a large hunting dog. The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is not a small (petite) dog, the name co ...
. The French hunting hounds have a very long history, with named local types being recorded in the 16th century. Unlike the larger hounds, the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie was not intended for hunting large game. It was primarily used in the ''Chasse-à-Tir'', where the pack (or sometimes an individual dog) circles the game animal and chases it back towards the waiting hunter. Before 1978 the breed was called the Petit Anglo-Français, as it is the smallest of the Anglo-French hounds.
The breed is recognised in its country of origin by the Société Centrale Canine (French Kennel Club) and internationally in 1983 by the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
The (; FCI; ) is the largest international federation of national kennel clubs and purebred registries. The FCI is based in Thuin, Belgium and has 98 members and contract partners (one from each country).
History
The FCI was founded in 1911 un ...
in Group 6, Scenthounds. In France it is bred and kept primarily as a hunting dog, not as a
pet
A pet, or companion animal, is an animal kept primarily for a person's company or entertainment rather than as a working animal, livestock, or a laboratory animal. Popular pets are often considered to have attractive/ cute appearances, inte ...
or
showdog. The breed has been exported to North America, where it is recognised by the
United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club (UKC) is a kennel club founded in 1898 in the United States. In contrast with the American Kennel Club, which is non-profit and which only clubs can join, the United Kennel Club is a profit-making corporation, open to indivi ...
in its
Scenthound Group
Canton_of_Bern.html" ;"title="Franz Rudolf Frisching in the uniform of an officer of the Canton of Bern">Bernese Huntsmen Corps with his Berner Laufhund, painted by Jean Preudhomme in 1785
Scent hounds (or scenthounds) are a Dog type, type of h ...
.
Health and temperament
Because these are active hunting dogs that are normally kept in packs in rural areas, they may not be suitable for city or family living. There are no documented breed-specific health problems, but like all drop-eared breeds, the area under the ear is prone to developing infections.
[Dogs, the Ultimate Care Guide, By Matthew Hoffman, pg 412, Rodale Books, 19 May 2000, ]
See also
*
Dogs portal
*
List of dog breeds
This list of dog breeds includes both Neontology#Extant taxa versus extinct taxa, extant and extinct dog breeds, Designer breed, varieties and dog type, types. A research article on dog genomics published in Science/AAAS defines modern dog breeds ...
*
Dog terminology
*
Hunting dog
A hunting dog is a Dog, canine that hunts with or for hunters. There are several different Dog type, types of hunting dog developed for various tasks and purposes. The major categories of hunting dog include hounds, terriers, cur type dogs, and ...
*
Anglo-French hounds
References
External links
standard 325, Section 1.2 Scenthound Groupof the
Fédération Cynologique Internationale
The (; FCI; ) is the largest international federation of national kennel clubs and purebred registries. The FCI is based in Thuin, Belgium and has 98 members and contract partners (one from each country).
History
The FCI was founded in 1911 un ...
DMOZ links to clubs and information about the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie
Anglo Francais in Italysplendid specimen of Petit Anglo Francais
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie
FCI breeds
Dog breeds originating in France
Scent hounds