Dog
Group:
Hound 
Poitevin Champions
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Pronunciation:
poitevin
Breed Description:
The Poitevin breed of dog is a medium to large sized breed that should be athletic without appearing too coarse or large. They should be well-balanced adn should have a light build that is elegant. The top line of the dog should be level and they are usually slightly taller than they are long. There should be a slight tuck up of the stomach and the head should be strong and narrow with a slightly flat skull. The ears should hang down the side of the head and the tail should be long.
The coat of the Poitevin should be short and dense. It should be naturally glossy and should cover the dog completely. The breed can be found in a number of colors including wolf, tri-colored with black patches, white and orange and tri-colored with a black saddle.
Temperament:
The Poitevin breed of dog is an intelligent breed that is known for their energy and dedication for work. This is a hunting dog and they do well working throughout the day. The breed is usually loyal to their family, however, they can be stubborn and do need a firm owner for training. The Poitevin usually does well in a multidog home but they need proper socialization to be accepting of other animals. They are not recommended for homes with small children and they do much better in a home with older kids.
Height:
The average height for a Poitevin is between 24 to 28 inches.
Weight:
The weight of a Poitevin should be in proportion to height. The average weight is usually around 65 pounds.
Health Problems:
The Poitevin breed of dog is considered to be a very hardy breed and has few known health problems at this time.
Living Conditions:
The Poitevin breed of dog is not recommended for apartments. This is a hunting breed and does much better in a home with a large yard or acreage. In addition, the breed can be quite vocal and may not be the best breed for urban settings.
Exercise:
The Poitevin breed of dog is a very active breed and requires 45 to 60 minutes of exercise each day.
Life Expectancy:
11 to 13 years
Grooming:
The Poitevin breed of dog is a very easy breed to groom and they require little to no maintenance to keep their coats healthy. On average, you should expect to brush your dog on a weekly basis to remove dead hairs and dirt. A wipe down with a damp cloth will keep them clean and they should only be bathed when it is absolutely necessary. Ears should be cleaned on a regular basis and nails should be clipped once or twice a month.
Origin:
The Poitevin breed of dog was developed in the region of Poitou, which is a province of France and is considered to be a very ancient breed. Although much of the history behind the breed is not known, it is believed that the breed originated from the Montemboeuf and the Chien Ceris, both of which are extinct. The breed was commonly used for hunting, especially hunting wolves. The breed was nearly wiped out in the 1800's but by the 1950's, efforts to restore the breed was undertaken and foxhound breeds were used to restore it to how we know the breed today. The breed is still used for hunting, however, they often specialize in deer and hare hunting. Comments
The standards for all the breeds accepted to the AKC are used here for breed information, and those not part of the AKC are resourced from FCI standard information, where it is written and coded into the club rules for those breeds.
