French Spaniel: the ideal companion

Balanced, straight, gentle, calm and obedient: the French Spaniel is an enthusiastic hunter and an ideal companion in all circumstances.

The French Spaniel is a versatile and affectionate hunting dog breed that, as its name suggests, originated in France. Its excellent hunting abilities and gentle temperament have made the breed popular with dog owners for centuries. The breed’s exceptional versatility makes it outstanding in the field. It excels in hunting both waterfowl and upland game birds and also makes an excellent family pet. It is renowned for its extraordinary sense of smell, retrieving skills, and natural instinct to work in harmony with people.

History of the French Spaniel

The French Spaniel, like the English Springer Spaniel and the Englsih Cocker Spaniel, is probably descended from medieval Spanish and Portuguese hunting dogs. However, some believe that the breed was bred in France in the 14th century.

In the Middle Ages, the breed was highly popular in royal courts, but by the turn of the 20th century, French Spaniels were nearly extinct. They were saved from extinction by a French priest, Father Fournier. The first breed standard was recorded in 1891 by James de Connick, although it has been modified several times over the years. The American Kennel Club recognized it as a distinct breed in 1996, but it remains a rarity not only in the United States but also worldwide, even in its homeland, France.

Breed standard

The French Spaniel is a medium-sized dog. There is no significant difference between males and females, with members of both sexes averaging between 20-27 kilograms in weight and 53-60 centimetres in height. Their coats are generally brown and white, with a range of colours from dark brown to cinnamon.
Their patterning is irregular  Some have an all-white head, others have a white body to go with the patterned head. The fur is dense, with longer, feathery stalks on the back of their legs, on the belly, tail and ears.

Character of the French Spaniel

Being a hunting dog, the French Spaniel a very active breed. He loves playing outdoors, playing fetch and going for long walks and excursions. Training is relatively easy as he is extremely intelligent, calm and and it is important for him to please his owner. He is not a lap dog and does not want to be petted at all costs, but he is very affectionate with his family. Not a noisy breed. He only barks in case of danger or when playing.

As his original job required a high level of activity, the French Spaniel should be provided with constant exercise and mental challenge as a family dog.
In the absence of these, or if left alone a lot, he may be prone to destructive behaviour.

Ideal environment

The French Spaniel gets on well with children and, with the right socialisation, will also make friends with other pets. He needs at least an hour of intensive exercise a day, so he should only be with an owner who can meet this need to the maximum. He adapts relatively well to any environment, but is at his best in nature.
A garden where he can play with his owner is highly recommended.

Care

Apart from weekly brushing and the occasional bath, the French Spaniel’s coat does not require much grooming. However, one thing to pay attention to is the dog’s nails. The breed’s nails grow very quickly, so they need to be trimmed monthly to prevent injuries.

As a breed with drooping ears, extra care must be taken with the ears! They should be checked and cleaned weekly to prevent inflammatory diseases.

Common health problems

The French Spaniel is generally a healthy breed, but some individuals may be prone to the following health problems:

• Compulsive licking or chewing: French Spaniels often show signs of psychological problems (stress, anxiety, loneliness) by self-destructive behaviour;
• inverted eyelid;
• hip dysplasia;
• external ear infection.