French Spaniel
The French Spaniel is one of the oldest spaniel breeds in Europe — documented in French manuscripts from the 14th century and believed to be an ancestor of several other spaniel and setter breeds including the English Setter and possibly the Irish Setter.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
France
Lifespan
10–14 years
Weight
20–27 kg (44–60 lbs)
Height
55–61 cm (22–24 in)
Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food appropriate for an active gun dog.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The French Spaniel is one of the oldest spaniel breeds in Europe — documented in French manuscripts from the 14th century and believed to be an ancestor of several other spaniel and setter breeds including the English Setter and possibly the Irish Setter. It was the preferred hunting spaniel of French royalty and nobility. The breed nearly went extinct in the 19th century as English gun dog breeds became fashionable in France, but was preserved by Père Fournier, a priest in Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët who maintained a small breeding group through the 20th century.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A medium to large, elegant spaniel with a moderately long, slightly wavy coat. White and liver (brown) colouring — always with the white and brown combination. The coat has beautiful feathering on the ears, legs, and tail. An overall noble, balanced appearance.
Grooming
Moderate
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
2-3x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-4-6-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Gentle, calm, and sociable — the French Spaniel has an unusually measured, balanced temperament for a gun dog. Excellent with families and other dogs. Calm indoors with sufficient exercise. One of the most manageable gun dogs for family life.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
4/5Friendliness
5/5Playfulness
4/5Protectiveness
1/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
40 to 60 min/day
Ideal Weather
0°C to 28°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
40%
Playfulness
40%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
clinginess, whining, mouthing, soft sensitivity
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1.5–2 hours exercise daily. Brushing 2–3 times weekly. Ear cleaning weekly. Excels in spaniel field trials and as a versatile pointing-flushing-retrieving dog.
Nutrition Notes
Healthy sporting breed. Acral mutilation and analgesia syndrome (AMS) — DNA test. Ear infections. Joint supplements for field dogs.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
AMS (acral mutilation syndrome) — DNA test, causes self-mutilation of extremities. Hip dysplasia. Ear infections. Ectropion. 14th-century manuscripts. One priest (Father Fournier) saved breed from extinction. 10-12 years.
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
1300 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
900 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Acral mutilation syndrome (AMS) — a hereditary neurological condition causing self-mutilation of the paws; DNA test available. Hip dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
AMS testing critical. Saved by one priest. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$1,200 to $2,500
Adoption Fee
$100 to $400
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The French Spaniel appears in medieval French tapestries and paintings from the 14th century — it was the hunting dog of the French nobility long before the English gun dog breeds rose to prominence in the 18th century.
Père Fournier, a priest who maintained the French Spaniel breeding programme almost single-handedly through the 20th century, is credited with saving the breed from extinction. His dedication over decades was the primary reason the breed survived.
