Canis lupus familiaris
French Spaniel
Featured photofrench-spaniel.jpgThe French Spaniel is a large, elegant French pointing dog considered among the oldest Continental bird dog breeds, with documented ancestry from the falconers' spaniels of 14th-century France. The breed nearly vanished in the early 20th century and was reconstructed by the priest Father Fournier from 1890 to 1921. The FCI registers it as No. 175; the breed has been recognised by the Canadian Kennel Club since 1985 and is part of the AKC Foundation Stock Service. Males stand 55–61 cm.
Quick facts
- AKC group
- Sporting
- Origin country
- France
- Origin period
- 14th century
- Coat type
- Medium
- Coat colors
- White and Brown, White and Chestnut, White and Liver
- Average lifespan
- 11-13 years
- Recognition
- FCI 1955 · Group 7 — Pointing Dogs (Section 1.2: Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel type)
Origin
The French Spaniel is documented as a distinct type in the 1387 'Livre de chasse' ('Book of the Hunt') by Gaston III, Count of Foix, known as Gaston Fébus — the most important medieval treatise on hunting in Europe. The 'chien couchant' described therein would set or crouch before birds, allowing the falconer to cast the hawk or the fowler to throw the net. By the 17th century, this French setting dog had been exported to England, Portugal, and across Europe. Over the 18th and 19th centuries, the English Setter, Irish Setter, and various British sporting breeds displaced the French Spaniel in French hunting circles, and the breed neared extinction.
Recognition
The reconstruction undertaken by Father Fournier between 1890 and 1921 re-established the French Spaniel from surviving specimens in rural Normandy and Brittany. The Club de l'Épagneul Français, founded in 1921, standardised the breed. The FCI registered it as No. 175 in 1955, assigning it to Group 7, Section 1.2 (Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel type) with France as patron country. The Canadian Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1985, as it is notably popular in the Quebec hunting community. The AKC lists the French Spaniel in the Foundation Stock Service.
Standard
The FCI standard describes a large, elegant, well-balanced dog slightly longer than tall, with a broad, rounded skull and a strong muzzle. The coat is flat, wavy, and of medium length with silky texture — longer on the ears, chest, tail, and backs of the legs. The only recognised colours are white and brown (or chestnut/liver) in varying proportions including ticked and roan patterns. Males stand 55–61 cm; females 53–59 cm. The breed is larger and less refined than most modern Continental spaniels, reflecting its medieval ancestry.
Sources & further reading (3)
- fci-standard — accessed 2026-05-27
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-05-27
- kennel-club-registry — accessed 2026-05-27
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Spaniel AKC recognised?
The AKC has not granted the French Spaniel full recognition; the breed is listed in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS), a registry for rare breeds working toward possible full recognition. The FCI has recognised the breed since 1955 as No. 175, and the Canadian Kennel Club has recognised it since 1985. The breed is particularly well known in Quebec and neighbouring Canadian provinces.
Who reconstructed the French Spaniel from near-extinction?
Father Fournier, a parish priest in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouet in Normandy, is credited with the breed's revival. Between approximately 1890 and 1921 he located surviving specimens in rural France, compiled pedigree records, and bred consistently to a fixed type. The Club de l'Épagneul Français was founded in 1921 to continue this work and formalise the breed standard.
What is the French Spaniel's FCI classification?
The FCI assigns the French Spaniel to Group 7 — Pointing Dogs, Section 1.2 (Continental Pointing Dogs, Spaniel type), FCI No. 175. The patron country is France. Within Group 7, the breed sits alongside other Continental spaniel-type pointers such as the Pont-Audemer Spaniel and the Picardy Spaniel.
