Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Overview
The Poitevin is a rare French hound breed originating from the Poitou region, where it developed from the 16th century as a dog for hunting large game, primarily wolf and deer. The breed emerged through the crossing of local hunting dogs with large English hounds brought into France. The main goal of selection was to create a hardy, fast, courageous and persistent hound capable of pursuing game over long distances and working for extended periods without losing pace. Poitevins were traditionally used in large hunting packs, where their coordination, excellent scenting ability and capacity to stay confidently on track were highly valued. In the 20th century the breed declined, but was preserved by enthusiasts and remains a rare yet highly valued hunting dog.
General Appearance
The Poitevin is a large, elegant yet strong hound with an elongated body, dry musculature and well-developed limbs. The dog gives an impression of strength and endurance while retaining light, refined lines. The head is narrow and long, with a noble profile and an expressive, focused look. Ears are long, thin and pendulous. The chest is deep, the back straight and firm, the croup slightly sloping. Limbs are straight, long, well-boned and very dry. Movement is free, far-reaching and springy, reflecting the breed’s ability for sustained running. The coat is short and dense. Overall the dog appears enduring, concentrated and well adapted to pursuing game over long distances.
Important Proportions
The Poitevin has an elongated outline: body length clearly exceeds height at the withers. The head is long, narrow, dry, with a straight or slightly convex profile. The muzzle is long, nearly equal in length to the skull. The chest is deep but not too broad, reaching the elbows. The back is long, straight and strong. The loin is dry, slightly arched and muscular. The croup is long and sloping, improving push. Limbs are long, light but strong, with correct angulation. Feet are oval and compact. The tail is long and sabre-shaped. All proportions aim to provide high endurance, speed and the ability to maintain working pace over long distances.
Behavior and Temperament
The Poitevin is energetic, determined, goal-driven and courageous, with a strong hunting instinct. Bred for pursuing large game, the dog is steady, persistent and able to work for hours without losing drive. It has excellent scenting ability, a high level of concentration and the capacity to confidently follow a trail even in difficult conditions. In a pack it shows sociability, coordination and good interaction with other dogs. Towards humans it is respectful and non-aggressive, but may be independent. It requires physical activity and opportunities to express its working qualities. Shyness, lethargy or aggression are unacceptable — the breed must remain balanced and functional.
Head
The head of the Poitevin is long, narrow, elegant, with noble lines and a pronounced hunting type. The skull is elongated, slightly convex, not excessively wide. The forehead is flat or slightly rounded. The stop is mild but visible. The muzzle is long, thin and straight, nearly equal in length to the skull. The nose is large, dark, with wide nostrils. Lips are dry, not pendulous. Jaws strong, with a scissor bite. Ears long, thin and lying close to the cheeks. The general appearance of the head should show a combination of elegance, strength and endurance. Coarse head, short muzzle, weak pigmentation, excessive width or disturbed proportions are faults.
Facial Region
The facial region is characterized by length, dryness and refinement. The muzzle is straight, very elongated but not coarse, tapering toward the nose. The bridge of the nose is straight; the nose large, black or very dark with wide nostrils. Lips moderately developed, dry and neat. Jaws strong with full dentition. Cheeks smooth, not protruding. Skin on the muzzle thin and tight. Expression is attentive, focused and work-oriented, reflecting the breed’s specialization as a hound for large game. Short or coarse muzzle, light nose, excessive looseness or blurred lines are unacceptable.
Eyes
The eyes are medium-sized, oval, moderately deep-set, with a lively, alert and focused expression. The preferred color is dark brown, though slightly lighter shades are acceptable. Eyelids are tight and well-pigmented. The gaze must be confident and determined, reflecting the breed’s working temperament. Light, round or protruding eyes, weak eyelid pigmentation, signs of ectropion or entropion are faults. Correct eyes emphasize the concentration and stamina of this hound.
Ears
The ears are long, thin, soft, set low, hanging close to the cheeks. The tips may curl slightly inward, forming a delicate curve typical of French hounds. Ears should be long enough to highlight the elegance of the head but not heavy. Coat is short and smooth. High-set, short, coarse, thick or protruding ears are undesirable. Proper ears complement the breed’s noble and focused expression.
Neck
The neck is long, strong, elegant, slightly arched, emphasizing the noble silhouette. Musculature is dry, well developed, without coarseness. The neck must be long enough to allow free head movement and wide range for scenting. Skin is tight with a slight dewlap allowed, but not excessive. A smooth transition from neck to withers is important. Faults include short, thick or weak neck, abrupt transitions or excessive looseness. The correct neck is essential for a working hound capable of sustained pursuit.
Body
The body is long, strong, dry and well adapted for endurance running. The chest is deep but not broad, providing lung capacity and sustained stamina. Ribs are long and moderately sprung. The back is straight, firm and elongated. The loin is dry, muscular and slightly arched. The croup is long, sloping and well developed, providing powerful thrust. The abdomen is tucked up, emphasizing the dry outline. The topline must remain stable and elastic. Softness, weak back, insufficient chest depth or excessive heaviness are unacceptable.
Tail
The tail is long, thin, sabre-shaped, set fairly high but not excessively so. At rest it hangs down; in motion it forms an arc but never curls over the back. The tip is fine and flexible. Coat is short and smooth. The tail helps balance during fast running over long distances. Short tail, kinks, thick or clumsy tail, or excessively high set are faults. Proper tail complements elegance and functional structure.
Forequarters
Forequarters are long, dry, strong, with good bone but without heaviness. Shoulder blades are long, sloping and close-fitting, providing wide reach. Upper arms muscular with correct angulation. Elbows directed backward, not turned out. Forearms long, straight, dry. Pasterns strong, slightly sloping, springy. Feet oval, compact, with thick pads. Faults include weak pasterns, turned elbows, shortened forearms, soft joints or excessive looseness that impair function.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are long, dry and very strong, providing powerful propulsion and endurance. Thighs long and muscular but not heavy. Stifles strong with well-defined but harmonious angulation for speed and agility. Lower thighs long, dry and muscular. Hocks low, firm, not turned in or out. Rear pasterns vertical and strong. Feet oval and well-knit. Faults include weak joints, cow-hocked or bow-legged stance, overly straight angles, short lower thighs or weak hindquarters.
Gait and Movement
Movement is free, extended, light and springy with long strides. At a trot the dog moves smoothly with a stable topline. The front limbs reach widely, the hind limbs give strong but not heavy drive. Movement must be economical, allowing the dog to work long hours without loss of pace. At high speed the Poitevin shows rapid acceleration and steady gallop. Short steps, stiffness, body sway, crossing or weak drive are faults. Correct movement emphasizes the endurance and working nature of the breed.
Coat
The coat is short, dense, smooth and close-lying. It must be sufficiently firm to protect the dog from weather and vegetation during prolonged hunting. Undercoat is moderate, present but not excessive. The topcoat is even and not soft or wavy. Coat should highlight the dry body and muscle definition. Long, curly, soft or sparse coat, lack of density or undercoat are faults.
Permitted Colors
The most common color is brindle — black striping on a fawn or red background. Light or dark brindle variants are acceptable. Fawn dogs with shading also occur. White markings on chest, legs and tail tip are allowed but must not be excessive. Pigmentation of nose, lips and eyelids must be dark. Pure white, black or brown colors, or insufficient pigmentation are faults. Color must emphasize elegant lines, harmonize with the silhouette and maintain the breed’s traditional working look.
Size
The Poitevin is a large but elegant hound. Height at the withers: males 65–72 cm, females 60–70 cm. Weight varies within functional limits; the dog must not be heavy or coarse. The outline is elongated, the body stretched, limbs long and dry. Proportions must support long-distance pursuit and sustained pack work. Heavy build, softness, insufficient height, weak bone or disproportions impairing endurance and lightness are faults.
Faults
Faults include any deviations that impair working ability and breed type. Undesirable are soft or weak bone, insufficient musculature, short limbs, narrow chest, weak back. The head must not be short, broad or coarse; light pigmentation, round eyes or short ears are faults. Faulty movement — short stride, body sway, weak drive, crossing — is serious. Coat that is soft, long or sparse reduces type. Behavioral faults include shyness, lack of persistence, irritability or aggression.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults include features that destroy breed type or impede working ability. These include severe shyness, unwarranted aggression, unstable temperament. Serious head defects include depigmentation of nose, eyelids or lips, blue eyes, odd-colored eyes, jaw deformities, severe under- or overshot bite. Missing multiple teeth is disqualifying. Major structural defects of limbs, paralysis, severe gait abnormalities and congenital deformities are also disqualifying. Non-standard colors, lack of brindling, excessive white markings or poor pigmentation exclude the dog.
Important Notes
The Poitevin is a specialized working breed, and evaluation must consider functionality, endurance and ability for sustained pursuit. Puppies develop unevenly, and temporary disproportion is acceptable if it does not affect health or movement. It is important to preserve lightness and dryness — excessive weight impairs speed and stamina. The coat must remain short, dense and natural. Special attention is paid to limb strength and stable movement. Persistence, concentration and pack sociability are highly valued. The breed must stay energetic, confident and purpose-driven. Any signs of nervousness or weakness are serious faults.
Conclusion
The Poitevin is a rare yet highly functional French hound created for hunting large game. The breed combines endurance, speed, courage and strong working focus. A correct Poitevin gives an impression of an elegant yet powerful dog with an elongated body, light movement, dry type and noble head. It must demonstrate confidence, persistence and the ability to work long hours in a pack. With proper handling and conditioning, the Poitevin becomes a reliable hunting partner, retaining natural qualities and stable temperament. The breed requires activity, space and opportunities to express its potential. The Poitevin is a dog of strength, endurance and tradition.
