Dog Breed

Billy

Primary image of Billy dog breed
Full Name
Billy
Your PupScore
Take the best dog breed quiz to get your Pup Scores!
Life Span
10-15 years
Weight
52-70 Pounds pounds
Description

The Billy is known to be an elegant scenthound with long ears, muscular legs, and smooth, short fur. They have a medium length snout with a nose that can either be brown, reddish brown, or black. Unlike many other scent hounds, their top lip does not hang far below the bottom lip. The main color in the Billy dog’s fur is a shade of white. They can appear to be pure white, off white, or a more tan white. They can have spots of a variety of colors including orange, brown, or a light yellow or tan.

Origin
France
Bred For
Hunting Dog
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Billy good with children?

    Yes, the Billy is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Billy naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Billy friendly with strangers?

    The Billy is about average in how friendly they are with strangers. They can be timid or protective, but with proper training and socialization can be fine for any household.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Billy friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Billy naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Billy typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Billy like to cuddle?

    The Billy likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Billy like to play?

    The Billy is always ready for play! It's important to keep in mind, as they need to be stimulated with games and affection throughout the day.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Billy make a good service dog?

    The Billy is not typically used as a service dog. There are always exceptions to the rule, but a service dog has to have many natural traits in addition to the proper training- smart, patient, and obsessed with pleasing their owner.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Billy good for first-time owners?

    The Billy would not be the best fit for first-time owners. A breed is only good for first-time owners if it is raised for home companionship, and is open to training and is motivated to please its owner.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Billy be trained?

    The Billy can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Billy can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Billy shed a lot?

    The Billy is an average shedder. Billy owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Billy easy to groom?

    The Billy requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Billy to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Billy on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Billy need a lot of exercise?

    The Billy has a lot of energy and getting daily exercise is very important, both for their well-being and for their focus, which is important when you train them.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Billy?

    The Billy is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Billy bark? Does the Billy bark too much?

    The Billy barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Billys - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Billy a good guard dog?

    The Billy is not a dog breed necessarily known as a guard dog, but they are alert. The Billy is protective of its family, and has above average tendencies when it comes to guarding property.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Billy good at staying alone? Is the Billy independent?

    The Billy does not enjoy being left alone for extended periods. They can do well for a couple of hours alone, but may have anxiety for time beyond that.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Billy a good apartment dog?

    The Billy is not a good dog for apartment living for several reasons. It is still possible to make it work if the owner is dedicated to plenty of training and daily exercise, but it may be challenging.
    Size

    How big is the Billy?

    The Billy is a large dog breed. A dog's size is important to consider when it comes to travel arrangements, budgeting for food, and how big of a living space you have.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Billy tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Billy?

    The Billy can tolerate hot weather well. They still prefer having some variation and a cool space to sleep, but overall they can do well in warm climates.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Billy tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Billy?

    The Billy can tolerate cold weather well. Play time in the snow or on particularly cold evenings may need to be limited, but overall they can do well in cold climates.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Billy try to run away?

    It is natural for the Billy to run away. They are easily distracted and excited, so the urge to run away should be expected and prepared for- a fenced yard is important.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Billy a healthy dog? The health of a Billy should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Billy is healthy, but has an average number of health risks that should be taken into consideration.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Billy?

    The Billy has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Billy into your home. Can you give your Billy enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Billy drool?

    The Billy drools a decent amount, especially if that irresistible food is nearby.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Billy have a large prey drive? Does the Billy like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Billy has average prey drive. They will probably enjoy chasing after birds and other small animals at the park, and it may be an issue at the home if you have small animals, but with some training and introduction can usually learn to live with them.
    Athleticism

    Is the Billy atheltic?

    The Billy is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
  1. Working
  2. Billy
The Billy is a purebred dog that falls within the larger Working dog breed group.
Working group: Working dogs encompass a wide range of different breeds- but they all were bred to assist people, so they are used to working hard. It is important for them to feel they have a "job" as their roles traditionally have varied from rescuing people to pulling sleds. Because of their large size and intensity, they may be a handful for first time dog owners. On the other side, they can be trained well, so any owner who can exercise and dedicate to training their working dog, will be well rewarded. A common misconception may be that the working dog's jobs are only in physically challenging jobs; actually working dogs can also make excellent service dogs, since they are also kind and attentive to their owners.

Billys for adoption

Similar Breeds