Billy

Beagle HarrierBlackmouth Cur

Billy – General Description

A Billy is a large hunting dog originating from Central western France in the 19th century. The Billy is a combination of Montemboeuf, Ceris and Larye breeds which are now extinct.

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Classification and Standards

• FCI Group 6 Section 1 #025
• UKC Scenthounds

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Character & Temperament

The Billy is not an apartment dog and needs a lot of exercise, like most large hounds they are difficult off the lead and extremely fast. They have been known to be same sex aggressive and don’t always get along with other dogs, they are very intelligent and courageous and have been known to compete in obedience.

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History

Foxblood has been introduced to the Billy to keep bloodlines fresh. The Billy was first bred by Monsieur Gaston Hublot du Rivault, who lived at the Chateau de Billy, in Poitou. They were mainly used as pack hunting dogs to track Roe deer and Wild Boar, which they still continue to do in their native France. The standard for the breed was established in 1886.

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Size & Appearance

The Billy can come in pure and off-white, possibly with orange or with lemon spots on the head and body; their coat is short and smooth. They can weigh between 52-70 lbs (24-32 kg) and they stand around 24-28 inches (60-70 cm) at the shoulder for males and 23-25 inches (58-62 cm) for females. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard suggests the dog should gallop easily in its movement.

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Health & Maintenance

The Billy needs protection from cold weather, since their coat offers little protection of its own. They can contract bronchitis if exposed to extreme cold.

The Billy lives on an average of 12 to 13 years.

References

1. Juliette Cunliffe (2001):- The Encyclopedia of Dog Breeds ISBN 0-7525-6561-3 Published by Parragon

Photo Credits

1. Drawing from the FCI breed standard
2. Image is in the public domain, the copyright has expired

This article is licensed (except where noted) under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Billy (dog)

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Breed Standard

Billy

FCI-Standard N°25 / 24.04.1997. / GB

TRANSLATION : Mrs. Kincaid, brought up to date by Dr. Paschoud.

ORIGIN: France.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 28.12.1973.

UTILIZATION:

Hound.

F.C.I. CLASSIFICATION:

• Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds.
• Section 1.1 Large sized hounds. With working trial.

GENERAL APPEARANCE :

Well constructed hound, strong, yet light; forequarters more powerful than hindquarters.

HEAD:

Fairly fine, lean, of medium length.

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : Forehead slightly domed, not very broad; occipital protuberance perceptible.
Stop : Well defined.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Well developed, black or red-brown.
Muzzle : Rather square. Nasal bridge fairly broad; first straight, then slightly arched, moderately long.
Lips : Slightly or not at all in form of flew’s, the upper lip covering the lower without overhanging fleshiness; corner of the lips often visible.
Eyes : Alert, very open and dark, eye-rims black or brown.
Leathers : Of medium size, set on relatively high for a French hound, rather flat, in the lower section turning slightly inwards.

NECK :

Of medium length, rather round, somewhat strong; a slight dewlap is permitted.

BODY:

Back : Rather wide, strong, slightly arched.
Loin : Wide, slightly arched.
Croup : Sloping.
Chest : Very deep, quite narrow.
Ribs : Flat.
Flank : Fairly long, with a slight tuck-up.

TAIL:

Long, strong, sometimes slightly feathered.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:

Strong, vertical stance, flat bones.
Shoulders : Fairly long, lying close to the chest.

HINDQUARTERS:

Thighs : Moderately muscled.
Hocks : Slightly bent, wide and strong.
Feet : Well developed, rather round; toes tight.

GAIT / MOVEMENT :

Gallops easily.

SKIN:

White, sometimes with deep brown or almost black spots; supple and fine.

COAT

HAIR:

Short, harsh to the touch, often slightly coarse.

COLOR:

Pure white or milk-coffee white, or white with light orange or lemon patches or mantle.

SIZE:

For dogs : 60-70 cm.
For bitches : 58-62 cm.

FAULTS:

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Nasal bridge too short, too long or too slim.
• Pronounced overshot mouth; such a dog must be strictly disqualified; however a dog with a slightly overshot mouth (1/2 cm) has not to be eliminated.
• Black or red hair.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B. : Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

© Fédération Cynologique Internationale