Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie

Like many French scent hounds, the Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie is a storied breed that has ties back hundreds of years. It is the product of crossing older Anglo-French hounds with that of the Poitevin, Beagle, Petite Gascon-Saintongeois, and Petite blue de Gascogne, leaving them with a body similar to English foxhounds and the head of a French scent hound. They have been used for centuries, most commonly in packs and primarily to chase out small game while hunting and many of their personality characteristics derive from this age old work. While used almost exclusively as hunting dogs in France, they have just recently begun to rise in popularity as show and companion dogs in the United Kingdom, the United States and Italy. Their pack mentality has not left them even if raised as only dogs, as they are quite social, friendly, and non-aggressive toward people, even strangers, and have been noted to be gentle with children. They are affectionate and loyal, forming tight bonds with their family, especially with the owner who trains and socializes them. Like many other scent hounds, their long-standing intelligence, strong will, somewhat independent nature, and excellent noses can cause them to be stubborn, making the early stages of training more suitable for an experienced owner. They are also prone to baying, as they've been trained to use it to alert their owners, which can be limiting in smaller living spaces such as an apartment. Their hunting background also limits their ability to live with small non-canine animals, as their prey drive can instinctually take over at a moment's notice. But despite their minimal setbacks, they are a well-tempered breed that is slowly making a transition from a traditional hunting dog to a lovable family pet.