French Spaniel
About the French Spaniel
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-24" |
| Weight | 44-60 lbs |
| Coat Type | Long |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Moderate - Weekly
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, French Spaniels may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- First-Time Owners
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your French Spaniel
The story behind the French Spaniel
Bird dogs of this general type are recorded in France from the medieval period onward, and the French Spaniel is usually presented as one of the older continental pointing breeds, though records before the nineteenth century describe types rather than modern breeds. Its job was to find, point and retrieve game for hunters working on foot, first with nets and falcons and later with guns. Competition from imported British setters and pointers reduced its numbers severely by the late nineteenth century, and the modern breed owes its survival to a revival effort led by the priest Father Fournier, who gathered remaining dogs and bred them at his kennel. A standard was drawn up in the early twentieth century. The breed is now reasonably established in France and in Quebec, but remains uncommon elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Pointing gundog, Bird finder, Retriever on land. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a French Spaniel
A complete diet aimed at active medium-to-large sporting dogs works well, with portions adjusted between hunting season and quieter months. Feeding twice daily and allowing a rest either side of hard fieldwork is a sensible routine for a deep-chested build.
Watch for: No breed-linked food intolerance is established. Reports among owners resemble those for other feathered gundogs, mainly ear and skin irritation that may or may not be dietary. A veterinarian should direct any structured food trial rather than guesswork at home.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a French Spaniel
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.