Norman Hound

The Norman Hound — Chien Normand — was a large French scent hound of the royal hunts, and is extinct as a breed in its own right.

History

It was developed in Normandy from St Hubert hounds crossed with local hounds, and it hunted stag, roe and boar for the grande vénerie, the aristocratic pack hunting of large game. It worked Normandy's mixed country of forest, bocage hedgerow and marsh, and hound historians have argued that the English Talbot was the same dog under another name. It was absorbed into the Anglo-French pack breeds and did not survive the change. What is described here is a historical breed, which is why the panel is nearly empty.

Temperament

Contemporary accounts describe great scenting power, endurance over long distances and the deep voice of the old French hounds.

Care and training

Nothing here is husbandry advice for a living dog. The French pack hounds that carry its blood have pages of their own.

Health

Not documented: no population exists to describe. These are historical notes rather than a forecast for any dog; the measured facts are in the panel.