The French Spaniel, originally known as lEpagneul Français, is a breed of gun dogs which has migrated to France, but has its roots in Spain. This Spaniel type is one of the largest breeds of hunting dogs. Their popularity began during the Middle Ages and continues even nowadays.
One of the most pleasant features of this dog is its proud posture. Its head always kept high as if only looking forward, its well arched back prepared for action and the profundity of its eyes make anybody truly believe in its instincts.
The head is of normal size, the eyes are large and of dark color, the neck is muscular and the chest is fairly curved. Its hair is dense and a bit long with feathers on the ears, legs and tail. Its coat is not only beautiful, but it is also useful by helping it to protect from thorns and water. The standard color is white with brown or black markings. The color of its head tends to be darker than the rest of its body.
Its body is solid but graceful, and its legs are not very long. The body tends to be longer than taller. Its constitution is more compact compared to other medium sized gun dogs. Males are about an inch bigger than the females. They can range in height from 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) and in weight from 45-60 pounds (20-27 kg). Both genders are elegant and possess a strong nose and a firm point.
The French Spaniel is a calm, gentle dog that requires a similar owner. Because of its personality, it does not respond well to harsh tone. Its friendly personality charms anyone, and the easy training transforms it into a wonder dog. However, training must be firm and consistent. This enthusiastic dog works very well on any type of terrain and adapts really fast to all weather conditions.
It is important to remember that this is a working dog and needs daily exercise and a lot of space. Its level of its stamina is high, and so it needs vigorous exercise. Moreover, this fellow really needs attention, if not from the owner than from other pet companions; the privation of these things leads to separation anxiety. It is not recommended for apartment life. This breed is flexible and shows a distinct patience with children. This easy nature transforms it into a perfect family pet.
Like the other hunting dogs, this breed is healthy and is not prone to any diseases. The grooming is not that difficult - they only need to be brushed twice a week and bathed only when necessary. Even if it is a low-maintenance dog, the ears must be checked constantly and kept clean.
To sum up, the French Spaniel is suitable for any type of family or persons that are enjoying an active life in the open fields; a well balanced person will form a strong bond with this dog, especially if he takes care of it properly.
