French Spaniel
(Epagneul Francais)

Breed Profile

As one of the oldest pointing dogs, the French Spaniel (Épagneul Francais) dates back to the middle ages and is often referred to as the French Pointing Spaniel. Unlike other spaniels who typically flush their game, the French Spaniel freezes on point when he scents game. Not only used to hunt feathered game, the French Spaniel was also used to hunt with birds in that they would partner with falcons and hunt as a team. The breed was first recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club in May 1985.

The French Spaniel is an intelligent, adaptable, and willing hunter. He is very versatile and easily trained in different styles of hunting and for different game, such as hare, rabbit, deer, and even boar. He is an excellent retriever on both land and in the water, withstanding icy waters, dense undergrowth and cold temperatures.

Although he is high-energy, he can also be calm, gentle and a devoted family companion. Like most sporting breeds, he is best suited to an active home where he will get plenty of outdoor exercise. He is friendly, loyal, energetic, and good with children.

Physically, the French Spaniel is one of the largest of the Spaniel breeds, displaying strength, stamina and elegance. He has a medium-long coat that lies flat on the body with some wave on the ears, back of the legs and tail. His coat colour is always white with brown markings and there may or may not be brown ticking in the coat.
 

Health Issues

If you are considering the adoption of a French Spaniel puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy’s parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the General Information page.)

Additional Health Resources:

• Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
• Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
• AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
• OFA – Companion Animal Eye Registry (CAER)
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
• Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
• University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
• HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
• Labgenvet — Laboratory of Veterinary Genetics is a Canadian diagnostic laboratory that offers a comprehensive service of DNA tests for veterinary genetic diseases.

Breed Standards

• CKC Breed Standard
• UKC Breed Standard
• FCI Breed Standard No. 175
• The French Spaniel has been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service® and assigned to the Sporting Group.

Grooming Information

• Grooming — This section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.

Training Resources

• Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.

Additional Information

• Breeding World Class Gundogs by Geoffrey A. English, as published at GundogsOnline.com
• Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
• Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada’s Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.

*NOTE 1: CHIC – The Canine Health Information Center “is a database of consolidated health screening results from multiple sources. Co-sponsored by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the American Kennel Club (AKC) Canine Health Foundation, CHIC works with parent clubs to identify health screening protocols appropriate for individual breeds. Dogs tested in accordance with the parent club established requirements, that have their results registered and made available in the public domain are issued CHIC numbers.” To learn more, visit: www.caninehealthinfo.org

*NOTE 2: The Fédération Cynologique International (FCI) is the World Canine Organization, which includes 91 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 344 breeds, with each being the “property” of a specific country. The “owner” countries write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.