French Spaniel
Other names: Epagneul Français, French Setter, Canadian Setter

The French Spaniel is a graceful, athletic, and very intelligent dog. They bare a striking resemblance to the English Springer Spaniel and have many of the same character traits. Bred as a working dog, they thrive off human company and love to feel part of the pack. This friendly dog is always eager to please and requires up to two hours of exercise every day.
Key facts about the French Spaniel
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Origins and history
The French Spaniel can be traced all the way back to Gaston Phoebus’s "Book of Hunting" in the 13th century. They were popular hunting dogs used to track and retrieve small game. Prized for their stamina, loyalty, and persistent nature, their numbers continued to grow until the early 20th century. Then, as more small villages turned into industrial towns, there was less demand for hunting dogs. Thankfully, French Spaniel clubs started to spring up in the UK, USA, and Canada during the middle of the century. They helped raise awareness of the breed and played an instrumental part in saving these very special animals.
FCI breed nomenclature
FCI Group
Group 7 - Pointing Dogs
Section
Section 1 : Continental Pointing Dogs
Physical characteristics of the French Spaniel
Adult size
Female : Between 21 and 24 in
Male : Between 22 and 25 in
Weight
Female : Between 53 and 57 lb
Male : Between 53 and 57 lb
Coat colour
Brown (cinnamon to dark liver) and white. Speckled or roan.
Type of coat
Long to mid-length. Flat or slightly wavy. Wavy on the ears and tail.
Eye colour
From cinnamon to brown.
Description
The French Spaniel is a medium-sized, well proportioned dog. They look a little like the Brittany, but are up to 10cm taller. They have a sturdy, athletic physique with powerful hindquarters. French Spaniels tend to have flat silky coats which become wavy around the ears, underbelly, and tail, and they have a sweet expression in their oval eyes.
Good to know
French Spaniels are known for having large litters. New mums can produce as many as 8 pups. These guys need lots and lots of exercise, and a stroll around the block won’t do. They need to run free and explore.
Temperament
Behaviour of the French Spaniel
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Is the French Spaniel right for you?
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Compatibility
Price
We do not have enough data to set an average price. Looking after a dog of this size typically costs between £90 to £120 a month, including food, medical/insurance, and incidental expenses.
Grooming
The maintenance of the French Spaniel is not tedious but must be regular to avoid knots or parasites. Their large ears should be cleaned regularly to prevent infection, especially after playing in water.
Shedding
Moderate shedder.
Nutrition of the French Spaniel
3-4 cups of high quality dog food depending on age and activity levels. Both traditional and industrial diets are fine, since this dog is not difficult to feed.
Health of the French Spaniel
Life expectancy
Thanks to centuries of careful breeding, the French Spaniel is a very healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 13 years.
Strong / robust
They’re not the biggest or strongest, but they’re definitely one of the most robust breeds. They’re sturdy, athletic, and have loads of stamina.
Withstand heat
Spaniels have no problems coping with the average British summer, but you should always exercise them during the coolest parts of the day. It will stop them from overheating.
Withstand cold
These dogs were designed for the great outdoors, meaning they can cope with cold weather very well.
Tendency to put on weight
High-energy breeds like the Spaniel tend to maintain a healthy body weight. Any excess weight will only come from overfeeding, a lack of exercise, or certain health issues.
Common illnesses
- Hip Dysplasia
- Arthritis
- Acral mutilation
- Analgesia
- Cataract
- Entropion
- Dislocation of the nictitating gland
- Eczema
- Ear infections