Porcelaine
About the Porcelaine
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 21-23" |
| Weight | 55-62 lbs |
| Coat Type | Smooth |
| Coat Length | Short |
| 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 | $700-$1,300 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,100/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Porcelaines 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
- Active Owners
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Porcelaine
The story behind the Porcelaine
The breed comes from eastern France and the Franche-Comte region, with related dogs also historically present across the Swiss border, and it is often described as among the older surviving French hound types. It was developed for hunting hare and roe deer in packs, valued for a fine nose, musical voice and endurance rather than for power. The population was severely disrupted around the time of the French Revolution and is generally described as having been rebuilt in the nineteenth century using surviving French and Swiss hound stock. A standard was established and the breed recognised internationally, keeping the name that refers to its distinctive coat. It remains a working hound in France, hunted in packs by hunting societies, with a small companion following and very limited presence in other countries.
Originally bred for: Hare hunter, roe deer pack hound, scent trailing dog. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Porcelaine
Feed a complete diet suited to an endurance hound, with energy adjusted upward during the hunting season and reduced when work stops, since these dogs put on weight when idle. Divide meals and keep a clear waistline; the fine coat shows condition honestly.
Watch for: No breed-specific sensitivity is recognised. Thin-skinned white hounds may show skin irritation that owners attribute to food when sun exposure or contact irritation is the more likely cause. Any restrictive diet should be trialled under veterinary supervision.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Porcelaine
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.