- Home
- Dog breeds
- French Spaniel
French Spaniel
The French Spaniel is a blend of grace, intelligence, and hunting ability. Whether gliding through brush on a point or resting peacefully beside its family, the French Spaniel embodies the elegance and heart of a true classic sporting companion.
Fun Fact
When French Spaniel numbers dwindled dangerously at the turn of the 20th century, a French priest named Father Fournier took it upon himself to try and singlehandedly save the breed. He’d bring all the French Spaniels he could find into his private kennel in order to keep them safe and keep the breed alive!
Height
Male: 21-24in
Female: 20-23in
Weight
Male: 45-60lb
Female: 45-60lb
French Spaniels are a lot less “Spaniel-like” than their name suggests. While they have the spaniel expression-- long, flowing ears and gentle eyes-- they are actually relatively large dogs and are more the size of a Setter than your typical spaniel. Because of their history as hunting dogs, they require a good deal of exercise and will suffer if not given enough time outside. While they can make good city and apartment dogs, they absolutely must be adequately exercised. They will thrive in a suburban or rural home where they will have plenty of room to run and opportunity to explore the outdoors!
French Spaniels are loving and affectionate dogs. They are very devoted to their families and are very fond of children, especially if raised alongside them as puppies. They get along well with other dogs and can generally be trusted with smaller mammals, such as cats, provided they are adequately socialized with them from an early age. They do not respond well to harsh training, and should be treated gently and patiently. Doing so will ensure that your French Spaniel learns quickly and is allowed to bloom. If scolded too harshly, they will likely retreat and become shy and fearful. French Spaniel owners need to learn to respect their dog’s delicate nature and use positive reinforcement while training them.
French Spaniels are still not super popular outside of Europe, or even outside of France. You may have better luck finding one in Canada than in the United States, because of the connection between the Canadians and the French, but if you are willing to put forth the effort, a French Spaniel ill make a lovely addition to family that can give them the gentle attention and exercise that they need.
Breed identification
Learn about your dog's genetic ancestry with 99% accuracy.
Our bestselling, most comprehensive DNA test. Includes all Breed ID features, health testing, and more.
Get a breakdown of your dog's ancestry and find their relatives.
The best choice for rescue dogs to learn as much as possible from their DNA.
Discover your dog's ancestry and estimated birthday.