French Spaniel

Breed Fact

Country of Origin: France
Hypoallergenic: No
Height: Male: 55–61 cm, Female: 54–59 cm
Weight: Male: 20–27 kg, Female: 20–27 kg
Color: Brown & White, Roan, Spotted White, Brown
Life Expectancy: 10 – 13 years
Temperament: Adaptable, Energetic, Calm, Tough, Intelligent, Loving
Litter Size: 2 - 7 puppies
Health Problems: N/A

The French Spaniel is related to the German Small Munsterlander and Dutch Partridge Dog, and like all of the spaniels who became the first pointers, the French Spaniel is a distant descendant of the longhaired Chien d Oysel (setter), a dog of the middle ages. The breed was widely used as a game bird hunter in the 1600s.

Its numbers dwindled due to the competition with English breeds, however in the nineteenth century, it was revived by Father Fournier. In 1891 the first standard was written by a man named J. de Connick. The head of the French Spaniel is held proudly, well sculptured, unburdened, without excessive sparseness, but presenting the characteristics of the breed.

Head is of average length and size. The skull has a length of 1 to 2 inches more than the forehead. The lateral faces of the skull appear almost parallel.

The head is of medium length and width. It is well-chiseled, but not excessively. It has pronounced brow bones and a sloping stop. The slightly domed nose-bridge is a bit shorter than the skull.

The upper lip does not cover lower lip. The brown nose is wide with good nostrils. Bite is either level or scissors.

The eyes are fairly large and oval, dark amber in color, with an intelligent and gentle expression. Ears are set well back and in line with the eyes.

They are long with feathering at the top. The neck is muscular, signally arched, oval-shaped and of medium length. Withers are pronounced and large.

Back is slightly sloping, sustained and hard in action. Loins are large, of medium length, and well-muscled. Thighs (croup) are large and muscular, well rounded, without apparent bone structure. Chest is bursting with large capacity, high, good depth.