Large Scent Hound / FCI Group 6 · Purebred · France's rare white pack hunter — a large white scent hound bred for hunting large game in French forests with exceptional nose and enduring pack instinct
The Billy is a large French pack scent hound created in the late 19th century by Gaston Hublot du Rivault, who bred it at his estate, the Château de Billy, from which the breed takes its name. He built it from several now-extinct French hound breeds, including the Céris, Montemboeuf, and Larye, to produce a fast, powerful pack hound for hunting big game.
Tall, elegant, and muscular, the Billy wears a short white or pale-lemon coat and has the deep bell of a classic French hound. It was designed to run roe deer and wild boar in large packs across the French countryside and remains primarily a working hunting dog. Recognized by the FCI in Group 6 (Scent Hounds), it is genuinely rare, with only a small number maintained by French hunters.
Real Billy photos — showcasing their unique appearance and character.
Energetic, brave, and driven, the Billy is first and foremost a pack-hunting hound. It is affectionate and gentle with its own family but can be assertive and quarrelsome with unfamiliar dogs, a legacy of its intense pack dynamics. It needs experienced owners who understand hound behavior and can provide firm, consistent leadership.
Bred for all-day hunting, the Billy has enormous stamina and needs a great deal of vigorous exercise — well over an hour a day, ideally with space to run flat-out. It is not suited to apartment life or sedentary homes. Without a serious outlet for its energy and hunting drive, it becomes frustrated, loud, and difficult to manage.
The short, fine coat is very easy to maintain, needing only a weekly brush and the occasional bath. As with all drop-eared hounds, routine ear checks and cleaning are important to prevent infections, and nails should be trimmed regularly given the breed's active lifestyle.
Independent and strongly scent-driven, the Billy responds best to patient, consistent, reward-based training and early socialization — particularly around other dogs, given its tendency toward dominance. A reliable off-leash recall is challenging once it locks onto a trail, so secure containment is essential. This is a hound for owners who respect its working nature.
A hardy, athletic breed with a lifespan of around 10–12 years. As a large, deep-chested, drop-eared hound, the main concerns are ear infections, hip dysplasia, and a heightened risk of bloat/gastric torsion. Keeping ears clean, feeding measured meals, and buying from responsible breeders help protect this rare breed's health.
The Billy does best on a good-quality complete dog food matched to its age, size, and activity level. As a rough guide, a typical adult eats about 2½–3¾ cups of dry food per day, split into two meals — but a hard-working or very active dog needs more, while a couch companion needs less. Use a large-breed formula and avoid heavy exercise right after meals to reduce the risk of bloat.
Puppies: 3 meals a day of a puppy formula to fuel growth.
Active adults: around 2½–3¾ cups daily, in two meals, adjusted to keep a trim waistline.
Seniors (7+ yrs): slightly fewer calories and, if needed, a joint-supporting formula as they slow down.
Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in some gums and peanut butters), macadamia nuts, or cooked bones. Keep treats to no more than about 10% of daily calories so they don't crowd out balanced nutrition or lead to weight gain.
Where puppies are available, a Billy from a responsible breeder typically costs around $1,000–$2,500, with rarer bloodlines and imported dogs sitting at the higher end. Rescue or adoption, where possible, is far less — usually a few hundred dollars in fees.
Food, treats & preventatives, routine care and supplies together usually run about $110–$200 per month for a healthy adult, not counting emergencies or boarding.
Over a full lifetime the total cost of ownership generally lands around $18,000–$28,000, including the purchase price. Pet insurance ($15–$45/month) and a small emergency fund are smart ways to cushion against unexpected veterinary bills.