- French Spaniels are recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, and the United Kennel Club. The Kennel Club (UK) and the American Kennel Club do not recognize the French Spaniel, but is recognised by the North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, and can be registered with US dog registries in order to record their registries and compete in associated dog shows, such as the Dog Registry of America, American Canine Association, and America’s Pet Registry.
- French Spaniel is not well-known outside in France until the breed was first introduced in Quebec around 1970s and quickly became famous as a woodcock and grouse hunter.
- French Spaniels are medium-sized sporting dogs that originated in Canada and France where it was commonly used to hunt various types of game birds.
- French Spaniel is originally considered to be the main species among all long-bristle pointers which in its name have Spaniel.
- French Spaniels are gentle and good with older, more considerate children, and they also get along well with other dogs too.
- French Spaniels are very active and need lots of daily exercise in the form of long walks, runs or games to stay happy.
- French Spaniels are the tallest of all the types of spaniel at 56-61 cm (22-24 in) tall, with a strong, muscular body.
- French Spaniel is mentioned as a descendant of dogs described by Gaston Febus and which were used in the Middle Ages.
- French Spaniel is one of the oldest pointing dogs, a famous setting dog used in the Middle Ages for hunting.
- French Spaniels are usually very good with children with socialization and especially when raised with them.
- French Spaniel is originated from France but English Springer Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom.
- French Spaniel is in many ways reminiscent of the English Springer Spaniel and King Charles Spaniel.
- French Spaniels are eager to please but needs gentle handling even though you still need to be firm.
- French Spaniels are mild-mannered, intelligent dogs that enjoy spending time with their owners.
- French Spaniels are healthy dogs that aren’t commonly diagnosed with congenital health issues.
- French Spaniels are gentle and affectionate with children, especially when raised with them.
- French Spaniels are low shedders and so may be suited to those suffering with allergies.
- French Spaniels are usually friendly towards other pets and people they don’t know.
- French Spaniels are protective towards children and may follow where ever they go.
- French Spaniels are naturally attentive to their owners and eager to please.
- French Spaniels are light shedders and are generally a low maintenance dog.
- French Spaniels are friendly, even-tempered dogs with calm dispositions.
- French Spaniels are as perfect a fit for a family dog as you can find.
- French Spaniels are elegant hunters and close family friends.
- French Spaniels are known for their well-behaved behavior.
- French Spaniel is a methodical and persistent hunter.
- French Spaniels are happiest when they have a job.
- French Spaniel is typically healthy dogs.
- French Spaniels are found in four colors.
Contents
Training
The French Spaniel tends to be easy to train and therefore makes a good dog for first-time owners. He enjoys learning and pleasing his owners.
It should be noted that he is a “soft breed” that will shut down if he feels the methods are too rough. Training a sensitive breed means that owners/trainers may need to be slightly more patient, but once the dog learns a command, he is unlikely to forget. Also take note that he can be slow to mature and may also take a little longer to housebreak than some other breeds. This is a dog that needs a job to do, so after initial obedience training has been taught, it’s highly recommended to get your French Spaniel into a sport such as tracking, hunt tests and/or agility!
Barking
Without enough daily exercise and mental enrichment, your French Spaniel may become bored and destructive.
A bored French Spaniel will display behaviors such as barking, digging or chewing.
Breed
James de Connick established the first breed standard for the French Spaniel in 1891. At the turn of the 20th century, the numbers of French Spaniels dropped so low that they nearly became extinct due to competition from foreign sporting dogs, in particular as French hunters chose to hunt particularly with English breeds of hunting dogs. A French priest named Father Fournier undertook the task of gathering the remaining French Spaniels in his Saint Hillaire kennels in order to preserve the breed. There he built the lineages that are representatives of those we now have. The French Spaniel Club was founded in 1921, with Father Fournier as the president of the association. The modern French Spaniel is one of a group of recognised French Spaniels, including the Brittany, Picardy and Blue Picardy.
Social
For the best chance of success, socialize your French Spaniel from an early age and always supervise your French Spaniel when he interacts with other animals and children.
Energy
If you need a dog that will be calm around your kids while still matching their energy level, consider the French Spaniel.
Health
The breed is robustly healthy with few issues and adapts well to wet weather conditions. A dermatological condition known as acral mutilation and analgesia may affect French Spaniels.
it’s a newly recognised disorder, with symptoms becoming apparent between three and a half months and a year of age. It was first reported in thirteen dogs in Canada and shares symptoms with the acral mutilation syndromes of the German Shorthaired Pointer, English Pointer and English Springer Spaniels.
Dogs who are affected will lick, bite and mutilate their extremities resulting in ulcers with secondary bacterial infections.
Self amputation of claws, digits and footpads can happen in extreme cases.
The majority of the initial dogs identified were euthanised within days to months of being diagnosed.
Coat
A normal dog has a muscular appearance with a deep chest and strong legs. The French Spaniel has eyes of a dark amber colour, and a thick tail that tapers towards the tip. The hair is medium, dense, with long feathers on the ears, backs of the legs and tail. It has some waviness on the chest and otherwise lies flat on the body. The normal colour of a French Spaniel’s coat is white with brown markings rather in shade from a light cinnamon to dark liver. Historically, the coat was only white with black markings, but the breed was mixed with other colours of Spaniels during the 19th century.
Temperament
If you feel that the French Spaniel temperament is the right fit for your lifestyle, it’s time to look into the options of adding one to your home.
History of French Spaniels
- In the 1850s the French Spaniel were crossed between the English Setter which created Brittany which is still in existence with huge popularity.
- In 1921, the French Spaniel Club with founded, with Father Fournier as the president, and since then, the French spaniel has been recognized alongside other French spaniels, such as the Brittany and Picardy.