French Spaniel

French Spaniel

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The French Spaniel is one of the oldest of the pointing dogs and a popular subject in the artwork of the 17th century. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the French Spaniel is often referred to as the French Pointing Spaniel because he freezes on point when he scents game. This distinguishes him from other Spaniels who typically flush game. As their name suggests, French Spaniels were developed in France, to hunt partridge and pheasant. An excellent retriever on both land and in water, he can withstand icy waters, dense undergrowth, and cold temperatures.

One of the two largest spaniels, the French Spaniel stands up to 24 inches at the shoulder and has a medium-long, weather-resistant coat. His coat is white with brown markings, and he has feathering on the legs, ears, chest, and tail. Many believe that the French Pointing Spaniel is an ancestor of the Setters who also point game.

The French Spaniel is calm, gentle and devoted to his family. He bonds closely with his owner and does not adapt to changes in ownership well. Like most sporting dogs, the French Spaniel is best suited to an active home where he will be a cherished member of the family. Friendly, loyal, and energetic, this dog is patient with children and will happily play with them for long periods. Although he will sound the alarm when strangers approach, he is much too fond of people to make an effective guard dog. 

An intelligent, willing and fast learner, the French Pointing Spaniel easily adapts to different hunting styles. He is easily trained but sensitive too and should not be harshly corrected. A versatile hunting dog, the French Spaniel will also hunt hare, rabbit, deer, and even boar. He has a high energy level and requires lots of exercise, and room to run off-leash. He should live in a home with a fenced backyard with an active owner who can keep up with him! 

The French Spaniel is an intelligent dog that looks to please its owner. It does not take to a harsh handler. It responds well to positive treatment and repetitive lessons. It is a calm loving hunting companion and makes a wonderful house dog.

The French Spaniel is a true versatile or multipurpose hunting dog that will pursue, point, track and retrieve game on land or water but like most pointing breeds the French Spaniel’s true strength is hunting in the fields and forests. The French Spaniel is a medium to close working pointing dog that works at a very comfortable pace. His gait has been referred to as a trotting fashion. They are a tough, determined dog that can adapt to all types of terrain.

History: The French Spaniel is a very old breed with documentation of the breed back to the 14th century where is was used for net hunting and falconry. For net hunting the dog would point with a low elongated, “setting” style which would make it easier for the hunter to throw the net over the dog.

There was a time when the French Spaniel was on the verge of extension. However, a French priest gathered the remaining French Spaniels in his kennels. There he rebuilt the lineages that are representatives of those we now have. There is some speculation that outcrosses of the French Spaniel make it the cousin of the Small Munsterlander and the Drentse Patrijshond. It is also thought that the French Spaniel is the forerunner of the modern setter.

The French Spaniel was little known outside of France and neighboring countries until it was introduced in the Canadian providence of Quebec in the 1970’s. It quickly became a popular dog for hunting woodcock and grouse. The Canadians formed a strong breed club to ensure the French Spaniel would continue to meet breed standards. In 1985 the French Spaniel received CKC or Canadian Kennel Club recognition.

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