Overview
The Billy is a large French scenthound, mostly white or pale lemon, named after the Château de Billy where the breed was assembled in the late nineteenth century for hunting roe deer and wild boar in big packs. It is rare outside France and very rare in Britain, so most walkers who meet one will be meeting their first.
Pack hounds share a set of traits that matter more than any breed quirk. They tolerate other dogs, often ignore people they do not know, follow scent above everything, and they are loud. A Billy is a leggy, athletic version of all that with a smooth coat that needs little care.
Exercise and walking needs
Think in hours rather than minutes. Two long walks adding up to around two hours suit an adult, at a steady trot rather than a sprint. A short lap of the park leaves the dog barely warmed up.
On the lead, a fast walk or a jog along a quiet track gives the dog something close to the rhythm it was bred for. Running alongside a bike is worth raising with the owner if the dog is fit and trained for it.
On the walk
- Recall: Treat it as absent until proven otherwise. Once the nose is down the ears close, and a deer trail will carry the dog a long way. Off lead only behind a secure fence.
- Pulling: Strong and steady rather than explosive. A well-fitted harness and a lead you can shorten quickly make a difference on a two-hour outing.
- Livestock: Bred to hunt deer and boar, so deer, sheep and anything that runs will trigger a chase. Lead on and well away from stock, every time.
- Voice: Hounds bay. Expect noise when the dog finds a scent or sees another dog. Choose quieter routes if neighbours matter.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry a long line for enclosed spaces so the dog can stretch out without you gambling on recall.
- Scent games on the lead, such as a hidden treat trail, give the nose a job and settle the dog more than extra distance.
- A thin coat offers little protection in cold rain; shorten the route or add a coat on bitter days.
- Check the ears and tail tip after walks through cover; both get scratched and knocked.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog ever lived in a kennel pack, and how does it cope with being walked alone?
- What exactly happens when it sees a deer or a cat, and how do you hold a dog this size if it lunges?
- Is the dog used to a harness or a slip lead, and does the owner mind which you use?