AI-generated imageThe Poitevin is a highly athletic, tireless scent hound and pack dog—bred to hunt deer in large groups with endurance and lightning speed. It is a pure performance machine, built for pack life rather than the sofa.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Poitevin fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
11–13 yrs
Shoulder height
60–72 cm
Weight
30–35 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Poitevin, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
The coat colors that occur in the Poitevin — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Poitevin is like a Formula 1 car on four paws: built for extreme speeds, long distances, and pure performance, not for dense city traffic. It is not a cuddly pet that wants to please you, but a highly specialized athlete designed for pack dynamics. If you cannot keep it busy with hunting or a comparable extreme sport, this majestic dog will simply wither away in a normal family daily routine.
The Poitevin is an elegant and enduring hound breed from France that belongs to FCI Group 6, Section 1 (hounds). Originally, the Poitevin was bred for hunting large game, especially wolves, and is characterized by its speed, endurance, and keen sense of smell. Its slender, muscular build with long legs and a low-set, slightly curved tail enables high agility and speed. The short, shiny coat is usually tricolored – black, white, and tan – giving it a distinctive appearance. Within the breed, there are different lines that may vary slightly in hunting behavior and appearance, but all Poitevins are loyal, hardworking companions who require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
The Poitevin is a lively and enduring hunting dog with a friendly and balanced temperament. He is very people-oriented and shows a close bond with his family, especially appreciating contact with active people. Due to his hunting drive and high motivation, he enjoys working closely with his owner and is excellent for tracking and field work. The Poitevin is intelligent and eager to learn but requires consistent and loving training to manage his temperament well. He has a strong need for exercise and requires a lot of physical and mental activity to remain balanced. Without sufficient engagement, he can become restless or destructive. His prey drive is strongly pronounced, making him a passionate pursuer, but this behavior can be well controlled through targeted training. The Poitevin is not a typical guard dog but shows natural alertness and reliably alerts to strangers. Overall, he is a loyal and active companion, particularly suitable for experienced dog owners who can support his hunting instincts and provide him with enough activity.
| Watchfulness Occasionally alerts but is fundamentally open. | Low |
| Openness to Strangers Neither pushily friendly nor suspicious. | Neutral |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
The Poitevin is a French hound with impressive endurance, originally bred for hunting wild boar. With its long legs and distinctive, melodic bark, it is not only an excellent hunting companion but also a real charmer in the dog world!
The Poitevin is a lively and enduring hunting dog, especially valued for tracking and pursuing game. It is characterized by its good nose and strong hunting instinct. Poitevins are friendly and affectionate but require consistent training and sufficient exercise. They are well suited for active families and hunters looking for a reliable companion in the field.
Poitevins are friendly and balanced dogs that are well suited as family dogs. They are generally compatible with children and other pets if socialized early. Due to their working background, they require regular exercise and mental stimulation to remain balanced and content. Purely apartment living is less ideal; a house with a garden or regular outings outdoors are recommended. Poitevins are affectionate and enjoy being close to their people, which is why shared activities are important to strengthen their bond.
Gets on well with different people and varying routines.
Gets on well with children — with adult supervision.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Suffers in tight urban conditions.
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Poitevin: Poitevins are intelligent and eager-to-learn dogs that require consistent but loving training. They benefit from varied training that offers both physical and mental challenges. Similar to Labradors and German Shepherds, it is important not to overwhelm the Poitevin but to provide clear structures and periods of rest. The breed shows a natural joy of working and is well suited for dog sports such as obedience or tracking. Due to their strong hunting drive, it is important to promote impulse control and frustration tolerance early on to avoid unwanted behavior. A positive, reward-based training method strengthens the bond between you and your Poitevin and motivates him sustainably. Socialization and regular activity are essential for the Poitevin to remain balanced and content. With patience and commitment, you will gain a loyal, versatile companion who enjoys working and learning with you.
The diet of the Poitevin should be balanced and nutrient-rich to support its energy and health. High-quality dog food that contains all essential vitamins and minerals is ideal. Make sure to adjust the amount of food according to the activity level, as the Poitevin is an active hunting dog and may have increased energy needs. The coat of the Poitevin is medium-length and dense, with a slightly wavy texture. Regular brushing, about 2-3 times a week, helps keep the coat clean and free of tangles. Especially during the shedding seasons in spring and autumn, more intensive brushing is recommended to remove loose hairs. The Poitevin is well adapted to the Central European climate. Its coat protects it from the cold, but in very hot weather, sufficient shade and water should be provided to prevent overheating.
| Care Level Occasional brushing is all it takes. | Very low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Robust
Health grade
The Poitevin is considered a very healthy breed; nevertheless, orthopedic conditions such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED) can occur in large scenthounds. Responsible breeders therefore have their breeding animals X-rayed for both joint diseases to ensure the resilience of the offspring. When buying a puppy, specifically look for the corresponding X-ray results of the parents: you should only accept results with the values HD A–B for hip dysplasia (HD) and ED 0–1 for elbow dysplasia (ED).
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
You should ensure the dog is raised in a way that is easy on the joints, check its floppy ears regularly, and enforce strict rest periods after feeding to prevent bloat.
Reputable breeders have the hips and hearts of the parent animals tested and strictly pay attention to a history free of bloat when selecting their lines.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
We sort tests into three tiers — from the core standard to a fully exemplary program.
Recommended standard. These tests make up the recommended health standard for this breed — the baseline of any careful breeding program. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
No entries in this tier.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
A Poitevin costs around ~€190 per month (€100 – €360, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€5,080 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (12 years) it comes to about ~€29,850.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€190 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€190
In the first year
~€5,080
Across the dog's life
~€29,850
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,500 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
HonestDog Concierge
We currently have no breeders for this breed who have passed our verification. Create your short buyer profile: we'll set up your search alert, review a possible source and email you within 28 days.
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative image
Illustrative imageThe history of the Poitevin begins in the 17th century in the Poitou region of France. Originally, this dog breed was bred as a versatile hunting dog, particularly suited for hunting wild boar and hares. The Poitevin is characterized by its endurance, speed, and keen sense of smell. In the 19th century, the breed was further refined to improve its abilities as a pack dog. Despite some setbacks in popularity, the Poitevin has remained a valued hunting companion to this day and is still primarily used in France for traditional hunting.
The Poitevin is a French hunting dog that was used to hunt wolves and other large game.
France
1800
The Poitevin is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Poitevin is 11-13 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Poitevin grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Poitevin can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Poitevin comes in these colors: Tricolor, Bicolor, Wolf grey, Black and white. Colors that fall outside the breed standard are marked as such on the breed page.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Poitevin.