French Spaniel

Brown (cinnamon to dark liver) and white. Speckled or roan.

Long to mid-length. Flat or slightly wavy. Wavy on the ears and tail.

From cinnamon to brown.

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.

The French Spaniel is a highly affectionate dog.  A real people-dog, they tend to latch onto their owners and love strokes and affection.

The French Spaniel is another working dog with a playful personality. Stimulating games helps puppies develop into healthy, well-adjusted adult dogs.

This active dog gets very excited during walkies and can become a bit boisterous if they haven't seen their favourite humans for a while. But they know when to switch off. They become especially docile after a good run.

These dogs are docile, and understand quickly what’s expected of them.

The French Spaniel is a born hunter. They have a natural desire to hunt, track, and explore, especially in water. 

French Spaniels are social dogs who love being around people. They want to make friends with as many humans as possible and will rarely become nervous or shy around strangers.

Smart dogs like the French Spaniel often have an independent streak. This needs to be managed carefully. They can take the initiative and go about their business without the need of a master.

Pack dogs like the spaniel were not designed for long periods of solitude. They can, however, accept the absence of a human if they are used to it from an early age.

French Spaniels are fairly easy to train, but they do have some very specific requirements. Training needs to be fun and engaging. Keep the sessions short, kind, and consistent. 10-15 minutes a day is ideal.

French Spaniels are  much quieter than many other breeds.

This is a real possibility. Working dogs are curious creatures who love to explore. They also need time off the leash to run free. Keep a close eye on them. 

French Spaniels are susceptible to separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviour. So make sure they're always getting enough companionship and stimulation. 

French Spaniels definitely have a greedy side. Food can be a great source of motivation for education, but make sure you don’t overfeed them!

These lovable dogs are too affectionate to make good guardians.

First time owners need to be aware of a few things: these dogs need lots of exercise, lots of company, and must be trained in the right way. If you’re comfortable with this, a French Spaniel will make an excellent “starter” dog. 

Although this dog can adapt to city life and be kept in a flat or small house, they were bred to run free in wide open, rural environments, and would be better in the countryside, in a house with a well-closed garden.

They need around two hours of exercise each day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated. They also need to run free; it’s best to exercise them in large parks or the countryside. 

These medium sized dogs are fairly easy to travel with, but they're too big to travel with many commercial airline companies.

French Spaniels were designed to chase small furry creatures. That being said, early socialisation can help them live alongside cats.

French Spaniels rarely display any aggressive behaviour. If they learn to socialise from a young age, they are very sociable and fluent in all the dog codes.

This is a perfect dog for families with young children. French Spaniels are gentle animals who love being around children.

Their balanced temperament allows them to adapt to many lifestyles, but a sedentary page will not suit. Whatever the age of the masters, they must have enough energy to meet their needs.

Moderate shedder. 

Thanks to centuries of careful breeding, the French Spaniel is a very healthy dog with an average life expectancy of 13 years.

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.

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. 

These dogs were designed for the great outdoors, meaning they can cope with cold weather very well. 

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. 

• Hip Dysplasia
• Arthritis 
• Acral mutilation 
• Analgesia
• Cataract
• Entropion
• Dislocation of the nictitating gland
• Eczema
• Ear infections

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.