Longevity
Life expectancy
With an appropriate lifestyle, regular activity and good-quality food, the Poitevin generally lives between 12 and 14 years. Its longevity depends greatly on maintaining its overall condition and on good veterinary follow-up.
Constitution
Is this a robust breed?
The Poitevin is a solid dog, built for endurance and effort. Its robustness is good without being exceptional, which implies respecting its exercise needs, its recovery times and the routine maintenance essential to any working dog.
Things to watch for
What to look out for
The absence of any known major predisposition does not exempt from regular monitoring. Particular attention must be paid to the drooping ears, the paw pads, the locomotor condition and small lesions related to outings on natural terrain.
Hip dysplasia: Like many dogs, the Poitevin may have a joint malformation that promotes pain and osteoarthritis, especially in cases of overweight.
Eye conditions: An ophthalmological examination of breeding dogs and monitoring of tearing or vision remain useful.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus: Large dogs are more exposed: split meals and avoid intense exertion around feeding times.
Elbow dysplasia: This developmental joint condition can cause lameness and early osteoarthritis.
Otitis and skin allergies: Itching, redness, or dirty ears should be checked, especially if the dog works in dense cover.
Climate
Tolerance to cold and heat
The Poitevin tolerates both cold and heat moderately. Its short coat offers little protection against extremes, hence the importance of avoiding intense exertion during hot hours and providing it with suitable shelter in cold or damp weather.
Weight
Prone to weight gain
The Poitevin is not particularly prone to weight gain, but an imbalance between ration and physical expenditure can quickly harm its condition. A less active dog must have its ration adjusted to maintain a lean and athletic silhouette.
Everyday care
Good habits to keep your pet healthy
- Check the ears after outings and clean them if needed.
- Regularly check the paw pads, skin and limbs after exercise.
- Maintain annual veterinary follow-up and good dental hygiene.
Vaccination
Poitevin vaccinations: schedule
Which vaccines does a Poitevin need? Like all dogs, Poitevins should receive their core vaccines from 8 weeks of age: CHPPi (core vaccine) and Leptospirosis. Puppies receive their initial Poitevin 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 Poitevin 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 Poitevin 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 Poitevin
Regular veterinary follow-up, supplemented by checking the ears, teeth, claws, locomotion and the condition of the paw pads, helps keep this large scenthound in good condition throughout its active life.
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.
