Official – FCIHound

Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange

grahn ahn-gloh frahn-seh blahnk ay oh-rahnzh

France· France

The Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange (Great Anglo-French White and Orange Hound) is a large, scent-driven pack hound originating in France. Developed primarily to hunt big game such as roe deer, red deer, and wild boar, the breed arose from deliberate crosses between the traditional Français Blanc et Orange and the English Foxhound. The introduction of Foxhound stock was intended to infuse the native French hound lines with greater speed, bone density, endurance, and pack discipline, yielding an exceptionally robust venery hound.

At a glance

Quick facts

Size

Large

Exercise needs

Very High

Home size suited to

Rural estate or kennel facility

Grooming frequency

Low

Coat length

Short

Sheds

Moderate

Lifespan

10–13 years

Town or country

Country only

Garden size needed

Extensive rural acreage

Where it comes from

Origins of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange

Illustrated map showing the origin of the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange

Developed in nineteenth-century France by crossing indigenous French hounds with English Foxhounds to create an enduring big-game pack hunter.

Region: France
Climate it was bred for: Temperate European
Original job: Large-pack scent hound for hunting big game such as deer and wild boar

The long read

About the breed

Physically, the Blanc et Orange is distinguished from its fellow Grand Anglo-Français counterparts—the Tricolore and the Blanc et Noir—by its coloration and subtle differences in head structure. Reflecting its English ancestry, the skull is somewhat broader and the head shorter and less finely chiseled than that of traditional French running hounds. Standing between 60 and 70 centimetres at the withers, it possesses a powerful, well-balanced frame, deep chest, and weather-resistant short coat patterned in white and varying shades of orange or lemon.

Documentary records and registration figures suggest that the Blanc et Orange is the least numerous of the three Grand Anglo-Français varieties. It remains almost exclusively a utilitarian working dog, maintained in specialised rural hunting kennels rather than kept as a domestic companion. Due to its intense hunting instinct, need for collective pack life, and immense stamina requirements, documented assessments of its suitability for ordinary home environments are sparse, and it is widely considered unsuitable for urban or solitary family living.

Living with one

Temperament & needs

Our own ratings, based on the breed standard and how these dogs behave in ordinary homes.

Energy
5/5
Calm and low-key around the home.
Barking
4/5
Quick to sound off.
Grooming
1/5
Wash-and-go coat.
Sociability
4/5
Friendly and outgoing.
Independence
4/5
Independent thinker; tolerates being left to it.
Trainability
2/5
Slow and stubborn — keep sessions short.

Illustrated breed standard

The points of the breed

Hover or tap a numbered point to read what the standard asks for.

Point 1

Head

Relatively large and rather broad, showing more English influence than pure French breeds; skull is somewhat flat with a moderately marked stop.

Colours & patterns

Recognised coats

Which coats the standard accepts — and which are simply popular.

White and Orange
Standard colour
White ground with orange patches of varying distribution; the standard preferred shade.
White and Lemon
Standard colour
White ground with pale, lemon-yellow markings; fully permissible under the standard.
White and Orange with Ticking
Standard colour
White base with orange patches and slight orange flecking or ticking on the limbs.

Timeline

History & development

See the full journey from wolf to breed

19th Century
Foxhound Outcrosses
French huntsmen cross native white-and-orange running hounds with imported English Foxhounds to enhance stamina, bone structure, and drive in tracking big game.
1957
Breed Categorisation
French cynological authorities officially standardise the Anglo-French hound types into separate varieties based on size and coat colour patterns.
1983
FCI Recognition
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale formally recognises the Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange under Standard No. 324.
Present Day
Modern Status
The variety persists in modest numbers as a dedicated working hound within French hunting packs, rarely seen in show rings or kept as a family pet.

Reference

Breed standard summary

body: Strong and well-proportioned; back is straight and well supported, loin muscular and slightly arched, chest deep and well let down to elbow level.
coat: Short, dense, smooth, and resilient against inclement weather and rough undergrowth.
ears: Set moderately broad at eye level or slightly lower, relatively short and flat, ending in a slight curve.
eyes: Large, dark brown, set well into the sockets, displaying an open and intelligent expression.
gait: Easy, supple, and tireless with extensive reach and strong drive from the hindquarters.
head: Relatively large and rather broad, showing more English influence than pure French breeds; skull is somewhat flat with a moderately marked stop.
size: Height at the withers is typically 60 to 70 cm for both dogs and bitches.
tail: Strong at the root, carried saber-fashion, well-feathered with short hair and reaching approximately to the hock.
colour: White and orange or white and lemon; the orange should not approach chestnut or red.
muzzle: Straight and reasonably long, roughly equal in length to the skull, with slight lateral development.
temperament: Tenacious, cooperative within a pack, courageous in the field, and gentle in demeanor toward handlers.
general appearance: Large, powerful, and balanced scent hound displaying a harmonious blend of French hound elegance and English Foxhound substance.

Health

What to screen for

Green means little to worry about, amber means ask the breeder for test results, red means manage it actively.

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
Screen for it
The breed's deep chest structure increases theoretical vulnerability to bloat and gastric torsion following vigorous exercise or rapid feeding.
Hip Dysplasia
Screen for it
Large working frame warrants screening of breeding stock to reduce the incidence of degenerative joint changes.
Otitis Externa
Watch closely
Hanging hound ears can trap moisture and debris from the field, predisposing the ear canal to bacterial or yeast infections.
Field and Musculoskeletal Trauma
Watch closely
Heavy physical exertion in dense terrain carries risk of cuts, puncture wounds, and ligament strains.

Given the breed's status as a working hound maintained in rural packs, formal veterinary literature and population-wide health surveys are extremely limited. The breed is generally considered robust and functional, having been selected primarily for working longevity and physical endurance. However, like other large, deep-chested hounds, it is anatomically predisposed to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) and may be vulnerable to canine hip dysplasia. Regular inspection of the drop ears is advised to prevent moisture retention and otitis externa, and routine preventative care for field injuries is essential.

General information only — always speak to your vet about your own dog.

From real owners

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