French Spaniel

A canine that is both elegant and multipurpose, the French Spaniel is notable for its loyalty and intelligence. This breed, which was first developed for hunting, is now cherished as a family pet because of its kind and amiable disposition. Many dog lovers find that the French Spaniel is a great choice because of its calm temperament, whether they are at home or in the field.

This breed is becoming more well-known due to its adaptability, even though it is still quite uncommon outside of its native France. It gets along well with kids, other animals, and even people who are new to owning dogs. The French Spaniel can prosper in both urban and rural settings with the right training and care.

The French Spaniel provides the best qualities of both worlds for people looking for an active but sensible dog. Its strong desire to please and natural athleticism make it the ideal companion for both peaceful evenings at home and outdoor adventures.

Origin of the breed

Around the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries, the breed originated in France. There are other versions besides the widely acknowledged one. There is a theory that these spaniels originated in Spain and were transported to France via this country. Another theory holds that the dogs that are thought to be the ancestors of spaniels are quail terriers, a breed that has already become extinct.

The royal court of Versailles once kept French spaniels, which were trained to hunt partridges and other birds. Later, as English spaniels became more and more of a threat, these dogs’ population drastically declined.

The 19th century saw a resurgence of interest in the breed, and the first breed standard was created in 1891. Even in its native country, the breed’s population is still small in spite of this.

Character and features of temperament

The disposition of a French spaniel is open, friendly, and serene. These dogs are extremely gregarious, require constant human interaction, and are not well-suited to live alone. They are also completely free of aggression and suspicion.

Children get along great with happy, upbeat French spaniels. They treat the younger members of the family with reverence and gentleness. The spaniel is the owner’s faithful and devoted friend, always willing to follow him around, listen to his thoughts, and grant his requests.

This breed’s representatives are highly intelligent, extremely obedient, and lack inherent stubbornness. Because the dog picks things up quickly, even a child can be trusted to train such a pet.

You shouldn’t anticipate that a dog like this will serve as a guard or security guard because these dogs are friendly to strangers. At times, they even display their happiness towards the visitors in an overly aggressive manner.

Description of the French Spaniel breed

French spaniels have uneven, curly hair and are medium-sized dogs. They have robust bones and well-developed, dry muscles. The animals can develop high running speeds and have a physique that is proportionate to that of real athletes. They are also quite resilient.

Because they can find and bring in feathered game, spaniels are employed as gundogs in hunting situations.

Males range in height from 56 to 61 cm, while females are slightly shorter, measuring between 55 and 59 cm. Deviations of no more than 2 cm are permitted. Males should weigh at least 21 kg, and females should weigh between 19 and 24 cm. The reason behind the slightly more stretched format of females is their reproductive function.

The French bulldog is an active, free-spirited dog that can change course fast. The dog uses a smooth "gallop" gait when sprinting quickly, and a "trot" gait when moving more slowly. The dog can detect even the faintest scents because it raises its head.

There have been changes to its data since the initial standard. The French terrier of today is built more gracefully:

1. Elongated shape head proportionate to the body, refined on the sides. The cranium is not large. The forehead is elongated on top, has a rounded voluminous shape. There is a groove on the forehead, but it is almost invisible. In the occipital region there is a pronounced tubercle, the cheekbones of dogs are flattened, the superciliary arches are poorly developed, located low.
2. The muzzle is oblong, rectangular in format, with a smooth, straight bridge of the nose, the length of the skull is equal to the muzzle. The lips are moderately filled, pigmented with a dark color.
3. The mouth is equipped with a full set of strong, white teeth with large fangs, creating a scissor bite. The jaws are elongated, quite powerful. The nose is large, well defined, with a movable lobe colored brown.
4. Eyes rounded, quite large, expressive, located on one line. The shade of the iris is dark brown, with an amber tint.
5. Auricles thin, elongated, well-fitting to the head, located on cartilage, elastic, rounded at the tips. Form a small fold.
6. The "French" have an elongated, rounded neck, thanks to which the dog"s head is held high, it is well muscled, closer to the shoulders it becomes much wider. The withers stand out above the line of the spinal column. There is no dewlap.
7. The body the dog is rectangular, characterized by developed muscles. The length of the body is greater than the height of the animal at the withers.
8. The sternum is wide, deep, oval-shaped, well lowered. Thanks to this constitution, the dog looks very elegant and at the same time athletic.
9. The back is tense, creates a straight line, has good muscle mass. The loin is of excellent volume, short, the croup has a slight slope. Ribs are rounded, curved, the line of the abdomen is tucked in the lumbar region.
10. Tail is located high, of a decent size, slightly thickened at the base, tapering towards the end, saber-shaped. When moving, rushes slightly above the level of the spine.
11. Front limbs stand straight, no matter which side you look at them from. The backbone is very strong, the muscles are strong, dry. Shoulder blades are positioned at an angle, pressed tightly to the body, elbows are directed backwards, shoulders are perfectly connected to the shoulder blades and body, set obliquely. The pasterns are slightly steep.
12. The hind limbs are parallel to each other, the skeleton is strong, bony, with muscular, slightly inclined thighs, equal in length to the shins. The joints have a harmonious bend, the metatarsus is plumb.
13. The paws are small, oval, with long toes. The claws are made of hard, strong tissue, pigmented in a dark color. The pads are dense.
14. Skin elastic, flexible, close-fitting to the body, does not form dewlaps or folds.

Coat and colors of French spaniels

The French poodle possesses two coat types: a thick, rich undercoat and thin, long guard hair. The tail and neck hair may not curl, but it may curl slightly.

The guard hairs on the front limbs are a little longer than on other parts, extending from the knee joints to the paw pads. They only extend to the knee joints on the back. The tail has lovely long feathering on the lower portion that is not dense.

Purebred representatives are limited to a single hair color combination of white and brown according to the standard. Tan marks in the vicinity of the muzzle are regarded as a noticeable flaw. Speckles are a characteristic of some people, but they are neither a requirement nor a drawback. The muzzle of breed representatives is striped in white.

An intelligent, gregarious, and active canine breed, the French Spaniel is well-known for its adaptability to both hunting and companionship. It is a wonderful family pet because of its loving disposition and desire to please, and it excels at outdoor activities thanks to its strong work ethic and endurance. The French Spaniel is ideal for active households that can give it regular exercise and attention because it is easy to train and gets along well with kids.

How to train French spaniels?

French poodles are highly curious and typically gladly carry out the owner’s tasks. Even the most complicated commands can be taught to such a clever pet if the right techniques are applied.

The three primary tenets of the training method are repeatability, fairness, and regularity. Training a spaniel does not allow for disrespect, incivility, or cruelty. The dog is extremely perceptive to his owner’s emotions, and his approval—rather than unjustified criticism—means a lot to him.

If you use food incentives along with verbal encouragement, you can attain excellent results. Because these dogs have strong hunting instincts, a working parent’s puppy won’t need extensive training to become a skilled hunter.

Care and health

In addition to having a lovely appearance and incredible character, these adorable dogs also lead very simple lives. Their silky, long hair requires frequent maintenance, but it’s easy: just use an elongated-toothed comb to comb your pet’s hair every five to seven days. The coat will have a radiant, healthy sheen as a result.

Due to their seasonal molting tendency, spaniels should be assisted in rapidly shedding dead hair during this time. It suggests daily brushing of the dog for this.

These dogs only swim when their wool gets soiled. Experts recommend trimming decorating wool in the anus region and between the fingers on the paws due to the frequent pollution of these areas, particularly in males.

The owner should consult the Grummer, an expert in his field, for assistance if they lack experience cutting dogs’ hair or performing other hygienic tasks. This is particularly crucial if the four-legged companion must take part in a variety of exhibition activities.

Additionally, the owner ought to follow these guidelines to maintain the pet’s health:

• After each evening walk, the body and ears of the animal should be examined for damage and parasites;
• long, hanging ears are a weak point of spaniels, they often develop an infection; to prevent this from happening, it is important to inspect their inner surface, avoid getting water in them and clean them as needed;
• pet"s claws must be trimmed regularly using a special claw cutter; on average, the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a month;
• it is not recommended to forget about teeth, they require weekly examinations to detect darkening of the enamel, chips, gum disease; if the owner finds any abnormalities or formed tartar, then it is worth showing the pet to the veterinarian.

Breed diseases

These dogs are thought to be reasonably healthy, and their members can adapt very well to different climates. However, certain illnesses are still diagnosed in French spaniels more frequently than others. These include disorders affecting the visual system as well as dysplasia of the big joints, such as the elbow, hip, and ear inflammation and otitis.

What to feed your pet?

Spaniels can eat anything and are not picky eaters. Such indiscriminateness can result in obesity and digestive tract issues, among other issues. As a result, the pet’s owner needs to keep a close eye on what enters its bowl.

Whether to feed the dog dry rations, natural food, or a combination of the two is up to the owner. The majority of people today favor prepared food. This is partially because the product is simple to use and saves them time, but a good product can also give the dog’s body everything it needs.

When a dog is fed in a mixed manner, it is given dry granules and wet rations, canned food, and/or dishes made of ordinary items. In this instance, it makes sense to alternate the feeding methods rather than combining them all at once.

First and foremost, an improper diet will show up in the state of the dog’s coat, which will become brittle, weak, dull, and lose its natural sheen. If the owner is unsure about what is best for his four-legged friend, you can discuss this matter with the veterinarian or breeder.

Features of keeping a French spaniel

Regarding whether to keep a spaniel outside or in an apartment, opinions vary. Experienced hunters claim that providing cozy living conditions for working dogs debilitates them, rendering them unfit for hunting and other activities.

A hunting dog eventually loses its natural attributes and becomes ornamental. Dogs’ health also deteriorates as a result of their increased susceptibility to illnesses.

However, living on the streets all the time is also unsuitable for spaniels, as they can get a bad cold during very cold snaps. It is best to construct a dog enclosure and light kennel where the dog will spend the warm months and be brought inside during the winter.

Both a private home and an apartment can support a companion animal that stays indoors and doesn’t go hunting. However, in this instance, longer and more vigorous walks are required.

Photo of a French spaniel

Video about a French spaniel

Renowned for its gentle nature, intelligence, and loyalty, the French Spaniel is a truly remarkable breed. This dog is exceptional because of its adaptability and loving nature, whether it is used as a family pet or as a hunting companion.

A French hound can flourish in a variety of settings with the correct upbringing and instruction. Their friendly nature guarantees that they get along with people and other animals, and their eagerness to please makes them easy to train.

The French Spaniel can be the ideal choice if you’re searching for a loving and energetic dog. They are a wonderful companion for years to come because of their devotion and playful nature, which brighten any home.

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