The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is docile and social. However, his independent personality and preference for living outdoors make him a dog best suited to hunting families.
If you choose one as your pet, the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore would need very firm, no-nonsense obedience training. This breed is not suitable for inexperienced dog owners.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Temperament
1. Intelligent
Like most hunting breeds, the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is a very smart dog. He learns quickly and easily.
2. Independent
Stubbornness is one of the defining features of the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament. He is very obedient to his master when hunting.
However, with general obedience training, this dog will try your patience. He has a mind of his own and will obey only if and when he wants to.
3. Docile
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is gentle and easygoing. Some say he does fine with children. But because he is almost exclusively a hunting dog, he’s not likely to be around a lot of small children.
4. Social
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore enjoys people. He will bark to alert when a stranger is near, but he is not aggressive and would not make a good watchdog or guard dog.
5. Energetic
This is a very high-energy breed who needs much more exercise than most breeds. It’s one of the reasons why a hunting life is the best fit for fit breed
6. Courageous
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is brave in the hunt. He stands up to large game, including wild boar.
7. Hardy
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is pretty tough. He works in difficult terrain and in adverse weather conditions. Very little, if anything, will slow him down.
8. Hard-working
He has a strong work ethic and dedication to his job.
9. Driven
Hunters value this dog for his passion for hunting. The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is more than enthusiastic—this breed lives for the hunt.
10. Pack Mentality
His pack mentality drives the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament. This breed often hunts in large packs of 20 to 100 dogs, so it should not surprise you that he gets along well with other dogs.
He also respects an alpha leader, so training should take that into account.
It is questionable whether the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament can adapt well to indoor living. As pack animals, it is not an uncommon practice for them to live in outdoor kennels.
11. High Prey Drive
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is not suited to life in a household with pets other than dogs. He is not trustworthy with small animals.
Grand Anglo-Francais History
This breed is one of seven scenthounds created in France in the nineteenth century. They were developed by crossing various French hounds.
These dogs are called “bastards” in France because their origins vary and they were never classified as distinct breeds. In 1957, the seven breeds were separated by origin and color. Some were crossed with French breeds and were called Chien-Francais.
Three of these French scenthounds were crossed with the English Foxhound. They were all called Anglo-Francais. They are similar breeds, distinguished mostly by color.
Along with the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore, they are the Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir and the Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
The Tricolore was created by crossing the English Foxhound with the Poitevin.
The Poitevin’s ancestors were two other French scenthounds, the Montemboeuf and the Chien Ceris. (Both breeds are now extinct.) The Greyhound and Irish scenthounds were also used in the creation of the Tricolore.
Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Noir
The Blanc et Noir’s primary French ancestor was the now-extinct Anglo-Saintongeois (or Saintongeois Hound). Its ancestors were the Normand Hound (also extinct) and the St. Hubert Hound (Bloodhound).
Grand Anglo-Francais Blanc et Orange
The White and Orange’s French blood comes from the Billy, another French scenthound. The Billy’s ancestors are also now extinct, but historians believe them to have been the Montemboeuf, the Ceris, the Layre, and early versions of the Poitevin.
What’s in a Name?
The ‘Grand’ in these dogs’ names does not relate to size. It is used to describe the large packs they hunt in and the size of the game they track.
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is a rare breed outside of its native land. A few have been exported to both North and South America, but there are still very few in those locations.
Even today, the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is rarely kept as a family pet. Hunters own nearly all of them.
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore was recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) in 1983 and by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2006. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not yet recognize the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Training
This dog is very intelligent. He is quick to learn and easy to train, but he’s famously stubborn.
He is happy to follow commands when he’s hunting. Otherwise, he is likely to make up his own mind about obedience.
The key to success with training this dog is to be very firm and consistent. He also needs a lot of interaction with his master. The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament is demanding of time and attention.
If he is bored or restless, he is likely to become hyperactive. You will also see some destructive Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore behaviors.
This is also not a dog you will want to exercise off-leash. His high prey drive will lead him to chase any interesting scent he catches.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Appearance
General Appearance
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore was created to be a hunter. There are no show or pet lines of this dog. He has never been bred for conformation, so he still has his original hunting-dog features.
He is a medium to large-sized dog with a solid, muscular build. His head is elongated with a flat, broad skull. He has a straight back, broad chest, and long legs.
His ears are set at eye level, broad, and of medium length. He has large brown eyes. His muzzle is about the length of his skull. He has a long, strong neck and a scissor bite.
The tail is “of good length, carried elegantly,” according to the UKC breed standard.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Colors
This breed has a double coat. The outer layer is short and harsh, and the inner coat is soft and finer.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore colors are white with a black blanket and black or tan patches.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Size
Average Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore weight is 75 to 80 pounds.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore height averages 24 to 28 inches.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Must-Knows
Other Names
- Grande Sabueso Anglo-Francais Tricolour.
- Grosser Anglo-Franzosischer Dreifarbiger Laufhund.
- Large Anglo-Francais Tricoloured Hound.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Lifespan
The life expectancy of this breed is about 10 to 13 years.
Hunting with a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
Hunters prize this scenthound for the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore traits of speed, stamina, and passion for hunting. He is a brave and aggressive hunter who is well suited to work with large game.
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is also fast and agile on difficult terrain. He is ready to go anytime and in any weather.
Of course, he has an excellent nose. He is also said to have a beautiful, flowing gait when he is working that is a joy to watch.
This breed lives to hunt and really needs to be with a hunting family.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Health Issues
This is a healthy breed with no major health issues. However, he is prone to a few conditions that are common to large dogs or working dogs:
- Hip dysplasia. A degenerative joint disease that affects a dog’s hip joints. It can cause lameness, osteoarthritis, and loss of function.
- Bloat. This doesn’t sound so horrible, but it’s actually a medical emergency. It is also called volvulus or gastric dilatation. It’s a twisting of a dog’s intestines that causes a blockage. You should be familiar with the symptoms and call the vet immediately if you notice any.
- Ear infections. These are common in working hounds with their pendulous ears.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Note: if you agree that your health and your dog's health should be a top priority then get a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Dog Health. Your Grand Anglo-Francais friend will love you for it. This guide will help save you money, time and most of all help you keep your dog healthy.
Caring for the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Grooming
This is a fairly low-maintenance breed. He is a moderate shedder that should be brushed once a week. He should be bathed only when necessary.
The most pressing care issue for the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore is his ears. As above, they are prone to infection. His ears need to be checked and cleaned at least weekly. They need to be washed and carefully dried after every hunting trip.
Like all dogs, he also needs his nails clipped and his teeth brushed routinely.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Diet
If this dog is hunting regularly, you may want to consider feeding him a working-breed food with plenty of protein and fat.
If he is not hunting, he should do well on any high-quality commercial food.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Exercise
The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore needs a lot of exercise—more than many other hunting breeds. Seeing that he gets enough exercise is one of the keys to a successful relationship with this dog.
Ideally, he should be with a hunting family. If not, he needs a family that is very active with outdoor activities. If he is not well exercised, he will become frustrated, bored, and even hyperactive.
He will let you know with nuisance behaviors if you are not meeting his needs.
Finding a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore
As with most breeds, you can either buy a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore from a breeder. Or you go the more conscientious route and adopt or rescue a Grand Anglo-Francais puppy or full-grown.
We explore both options below to prepare you for what you should expect. Regardless of which option you choose to pursue what follows will help you make a better decision finding and buying/acquiring the right Grand Angle-Francis for you.
Buying a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore from a Breeder
If you are interested in finding a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore for sale, you will have your work cut out for you. This breed is rare outside of his native France.
One hint for finding a rare breed is to look on Facebook for user groups. You could also do an Internet search on user forums for this dog. Groups like this exist for almost every breed.
YouTube is another option. Breeders and owners often post videos of their dogs, and some will include contact information. This would be a very good way to find a trustworthy recommendation for a breeder.
Hunting magazines are another good way to find breeders or organizations that can help you find one. Most have online editions.
If all else fails, you could try searching for Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore breeders in Europe. In this case, you could search for a breed club in France, where this dog is much easier to find.
Many breed clubs keep lists of breeders, so they may be able to help you find one who will ship Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore puppies to North America.
Vetting the Breeder
Once you find a breeder, beware of buying a pup online! It’s very important that you research any recommendations well and ask questions. Make a site visit if possible.
You don’t want to purchase a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore puppy from a puppy mill or backyard breeder.
These are the folks you see on television who keep their dogs in horrible conditions. They usually don’t provide any medical care or health records for their dogs.
They don’t concern themselves for the genetic soundness of the dogs. And they breed females over and over again until they are worn out.
A responsible breeder will breed only dogs who have passed genetic screening dogs. They are very concerned about the health and soundness of future generations.
Their pups receive appropriate medical care and vaccinations. An ethical breeder will provide you with a health record and guarantee when you purchase your puppy.
You will get no guarantees whatsoever from a puppy mill. You would be perpetuating a cruel and irresponsible practice. And you could be purchasing an unhealthy, poorly adjusted dog.
Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore Rescue/Adoption
If you would prefer an adult dog or a rescue, finding a Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore for adoption will also be difficult. You are very unlikely to find this breed in your local shelter.
At the time of this writing, we were unable to find any rescue organizations for the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore in North America. Try the tips above. They may be helpful here as well.
Also, the UKC recognizes this breed. They may know of rescue organizations for this breed or for hounds or hunting dogs in general.
Is the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore the Right Breed for You?
Honestly? If you’re looking for a household pet, there are many breeds that would be better choices. The Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore has a docile nature and is good with people.
However, his exercise need and stubbornness would be challenges for most families.
But if you want a hunting partner with a gentle nature who will also be a good household companion, the Grand Anglo-Francais Tricolore temperament could be the right choice for you.
Paula is an experienced writer who loves dogs and had many of them through the years. Her family always had large dogs—Border Collies, Labs, and Golden Retrievers. When her beloved Golden died of cancer, she decided to practice what she preached and do some research before choosing her next breed. She now shares this knowledge with thousands of dogtemperament.com readers worldwide.