Francais Tricolore
fron-SAY tree-koh-LOR
France· Various regions of France
The Francais Tricolore is a large French scenthound, one of three related Francais breeds distinguished by coat colour, developed for pack hunting deer and wild boar.
At a glance
Quick facts
Size
Large
Exercise needs
2 hours+ per day
Home size suited to
Large
Grooming frequency
Weekly brush
Coat length
Short
Sheds
Yes
Lifespan
11-13 years
Town or country
Country preferred
Garden size needed
Large
Where it comes from
Origins of the Francais Tricolore
As English hound blood was introduced into French packs during the nineteenth century to add speed, breeders sought to fix a distinctly French type in three coat colours, one of which was the tricolour Francais. Bred for stamina and voice suited to large mounted hunts, it worked the varied farmland and forest of central France. Careful selection kept it recognisably French rather than a straightforward English import. It remains one of three closely related Francais breeds distinguished mainly by colour.
- Region
- Various regions of France
- Climate it was bred for
- Mixed farmland and forest across temperate France
- Original job
- Pack hunting deer and wild boar
The long read
About the breed
Its development drew on English hound influence for speed, combined with French stamina and voice, producing a hound suited to large, mounted pack hunts across varied countryside.
It is an energetic, sociable dog best suited to active hunting households with the space and experience to manage a large pack hound, rather than typical pet homes.
Today it remains primarily a working hound in France, used for deer and boar hunting, with very few kept outside its native country.
Living with one
Temperament & needs
Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.
Friendliness
3/5
How openly the Francais Tricolore greets people it does not know.
Trainability
3/5
How readily the breed takes to training in an ordinary home.
Energy
3/5
How much daily exercise and stimulation the breed expects.
Barking
3/5
How vocal the breed tends to be day to day.
Grooming
3/5
How much coat work the breed needs to stay comfortable.
Suits a first-time owner
3/5
How forgiving the Francais Tricolore is for someone taking on their first dog.
Illustrated breed standard
The points of the breed
Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.
Point 1
Skull
The Francais Tricolore's skull is judged on balance rather than size — proportionate to the body, with a clean cheek and a stop typical of the breed. Coarseness or an over-refined head are both faulted.
Timeline
History & development
1800s
English influence
French breeders crossed native hounds with English Foxhounds to improve speed for mounted hunting.
1957
Three Francais breeds fixed
The Francais Tricolore, Blanc et Noir and Blanc et Orange were formally distinguished as separate breeds by colour.
1970s
Established pack use
The breed became established with French hunting clubs for large-scale mounted hunts.
1990s
Continued specialist role
The breed has remained a dedicated hunting hound with limited spread outside France.
Reference
Breed standard summary
- body
- Long, deep chest with strong, muscular limbs.
- coat
- Short and dense.
- ears
- Set at eye level, of moderate length.
- eyes
- Dark brown, alert expression.
- head
- Long, with a moderately domed skull.
- size
- Dogs and bitches 62-72cm
- colour
- Black, white and tan (tricolour).
- temperament
- Energetic, sociable and driven, with a strong voice.
- general appearance
- A large, robust hound with an athletic build and confident, energetic bearing.
Health
What to screen for
Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.
General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.
From real owners
Dogs like this
Francais Tricolores added by PawPoint members through their pet passports. Share yours to appear here.
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Made for the Francais Tricolore
The book, plus prints, hoodies and mugs using our own Francais Tricolore illustration — and one everyday accessory that suits any dog.
The book
Pawpoint: The Complete Dog Breed Book
Every officially recognised breed plus the unofficial ones nobody else documents. 400+ pages, hardback, printed and shipped from the UK.
Own stock — shipped by us
Framed poster
Francais Tricolore Framed Poster
Museum-weight print of our Francais Tricolore illustration, framed or unframed.
Printed to order
Hoodie
Francais Tricolore Hoodie
Heavyweight hoodie carrying the Francais Tricolore illustration on the chest.
Printed to order
Mug
Francais Tricolore Mug
Ceramic mug with the Francais Tricolore illustration wrapped around it.
Printed to order
Accessory
Car Seatbelt Restraint
Clips any harness to a standard seatbelt buckle.
Fits any dog
Pawpoint on YouTube
Watch the full Francais Tricolore video
Breed deep-dives, history and honest ownership talk. New film every week.
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