Longevity
Life expectancy
Its lifespan is generally between 10 and 12 years. Suitable activity, a balanced diet, maintaining a stable weight and preventive veterinary monitoring help preserve its quality of life.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
Its balanced build, its selection for endurance and its tight coat make it a robust dog, capable of sustaining prolonged effort. This sturdiness does not exempt one from monitoring the paw pads, joints, ears and skin after intense activity.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
The breed does not present any clearly established major hereditary disease. Vigilance mainly concerns problems related to drooping ears, external parasites, grass awns, field injuries and prolonged exertion.
External otitis: Drooping, poorly ventilated ears should be inspected regularly, especially after wet outings or in vegetation.
Parasites and awns: Outdoor work increases exposure to ticks, chiggers, fleas and plant foreign bodies.
Activity-related injuries: Cuts, paw pad lesions, sprains and muscle soreness can occur after a hunt or prolonged effort.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
Its short, close coat offers it adequate protection against the cold when it remains active, but a dry shelter is essential for rest. It tolerates high heat less well: sustained activities must be moved to cooler hours, with permanent access to shade and water.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
Its high activity level often limits weight gain, but the ration must be adjusted to the actual workload. A less active dog or one retired from hunting can gain weight if its intake is not reduced. The silhouette, ribs and muscle mass must be checked regularly.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Inspect the ears after each outing and keep them clean and dry.
- Check the paw pads, the interdigital spaces and the skin upon returning from hunting.
- Quickly remove ticks, foxtails and plant debris.
- Maintain vaccinations and parasite prevention suited to the lifestyle.
- Plan a veterinary check-up at least annually.
Vaccination
Small Anglo-French Hound vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Small Anglo-French Hound need? Like all dogs, Small Anglo-French Hounds should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Small Anglo-French Hound vaccinations in several shots spaced 4 weeks apart, followed by a first booster at 1 year. Depending on their lifestyle (hunting, hiking, boarding, travel, region), your veterinarian may add vaccines against Rabies, Kennel cough, Piroplasmosis, Lyme disease and Leishmaniasis.
| Vaccine | Primary vaccination | First booster | Then | For whom? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
CHPPi (core vaccine)Core Distemper, Rubarth hepatitis, parvovirosis and parainfluenza | 8 weeks · 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | All animals |
LeptospirosisCore Leptospirosis (bacterium transmitted by rodent urine and stagnant water) | 8 weeks · 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | All animals |
RabiesDepending on lifestyle Rabies | 12 weeks | 1 year | every year | Mandatory for travel abroad, categorized dogs, most boarding kennels and shows |
Kennel coughDepending on lifestyle Bordetella bronchiseptica and parainfluenza | 8 weeks | 1 year | every year | Dogs attending boarding kennels, daycares, dog clubs and shows |
PiroplasmosisDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne babesiosis | 5 months · 6 months | 1 year | every year | Hunting dogs, dogs living in rural or wooded areas, dogs highly exposed to ticks |
Lyme diseaseDepending on lifestyle Tick-borne borreliosis | 12 weeks · 3 months | 1 year | every year | Hiking dogs, hunting dogs, forest areas of the East and the Center |
LeishmaniasisDepending on lifestyle Leishmaniasis transmitted by sandflies | 6 months | 1 year and 6 months | every year | Dogs living or staying in the South of France, Corsica and the Mediterranean basin |
Adult Small Anglo-French Hound booster shots are given annually for leptospirosis and rabies. For distemper, hepatitis, and parvovirus, a booster every three years is often enough after the first booster. Your veterinarian will tailor the schedule to your dog's actual risk.
Which boosters does your Small Anglo-French Hound need?
Enter your companion's age to see which vaccines are due now and when the next boosters are needed.
Choosing well
Adopting a healthy Small Anglo-French Hound
Before acquisition, it is prudent to ask for the parents' health history and the puppy's veterinary documents. A regular clinical examination must include the musculoskeletal system, the heart, the skin, the eyes and the ears. In a hunting dog, parasite prevention, vaccinations adapted to the lifestyle and the monitoring of injuries after each outing are essential.
This information is for guidance only and doesn't replace advice from a veterinarian. If you have any concerns about your pet's health, consult a professional.
