French Spaniel

The French spaniel, or Epagneul Francais, is an old French pointing spaniel used to locate, point, and retrieve game birds. It is larger and more setter-like than many people expect from the word spaniel, with a balanced frame, long ears, feathering, and a brown-and-white coat often marked with ticking or roaning. The breed declined when faster British pointing breeds became fashionable, but dedicated French and Canadian breeders helped preserve it as a versatile field dog.

In the home, the French spaniel is usually gentle and people-focused, yet it still needs the exercise and nose work of a sporting dog. It can suit hunters who want one dog for upland birds and retrieving, or active owners who provide tracking, hiking, and training. The feathered coat is manageable with regular brushing and checks for burrs, grass awns, and ear irritation after field time. Breeders commonly discuss hips, eyes, temperament, and working ability, and buyers should expect a sensitive dog that responds best to calm, consistent handling.

Colors: Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Brown Roan, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, White and Brown, Yellow