Let's talk about the Épagneul Français, the distinctive French Spaniel. We trace its history from the very beginning, describe its physical appearance and temperament, and explore what this breed needs and the kind of family that suits it best.
Origins and History of the Breed
The Épagneul Français has very ancient origins, dating back at least to the 13th century. A direct descendant of the Chien d'Oysel, a breed now extinct, it has always been a highly prized hunting dog. In the 17th century, however, the English setter — imported from Great Britain for hunting purposes — gained the upper hand, spreading rapidly until the Épagneul Français nearly disappeared altogether, with its numbers dropping to a dangerously low level.
At that time, the only use made of the breed was for the selection of setters by the British themselves. It was Abbot Fournier who saved the French breed from severe decline: in the 19th century he devoted himself to repopulating the breed, reviving breeding programmes and selective breeding.
Breed Standard
The Épagneul Français is a medium-sized dog of the pointer type; its physique combines harmonious, elegant lines with strong, supple muscles. An adult male stands at a maximum height of 61 cm at the withers and weighs 27 kg. The chest is broad and well supported by firm muscles; the back is slightly lower than the withers and well extended to the round, solid loins. The legs are long and strong, defined by substantial but not excessive bone structure, covered by protective muscle groups. Ground contact is excellent; the feet are oval and well closed, with a superb grip on the terrain. The neck is of good length, with a broad attachment to the chest and good mobility. The skin is taut and close-fitting.
Temperament of the Épagneul Français
The head has a regal appearance, well carried and elegant in its bearing. Moderately broad between the ears, it features a pronounced but not excessive stop; the muzzle is long and sturdy, straight down to the very open nose. The eyes are oval, very large and perfectly aligned with each other. The colour is dark amber, with a very kind and aware expression. The ears are set slightly back, at the level of the eye line. The base is narrow, and they fall softly at the sides of the head, covered with soft, wavy hair. The tail is set low and reaches the hock in length. It is carried low, straight or in an S-shape, covered with wavy hair that grows progressively sparser towards the tip. The root is wide, while the tip is slender and slightly raised.
The coat is short on the head, while on the ears, the back of the legs, the belly and the tail it is long and wavy. On the body it is smooth, short and close-lying. The permitted colours are white and brown, interwoven in shades and patches of varying sizes. Brown is accepted in all shades, and a white star on the head is particularly prized.
Care of the Épagneul Français and Nutrition
The health of the Épagneul Français is excellent; it has no predisposition to congenital diseases and requires only the usual, yet essential, routine check-ups. Its diet must be of very high quality, as this also affects the shine of its coat. The coat itself requires regular care and thorough brushing sessions — especially after physical activity — and must be kept clean and glossy at all times.
Temperament of the Épagneul Français
The Épagneul Français is a pointing dog suited to all types of terrain, with a good ability to withstand all weather conditions. A capable hunter in general, it specialises in snipe hunting. It works very well in woodland or in damp, densely vegetated environments. It is considered a slow and methodical hunter, but a highly effective one that never gives up. It is described as an attentive and reliable companion, deeply focused on its work and stubborn enough never to abandon a quarry, even if it takes an entire day.
As a companion dog it is ideal; its temperament is gentle, affectionate and naturally good-humoured. It gets along well with both adults and children, and is capable of great shows of affection without ever becoming clingy or intrusive. With its owner it shares a bond built on pure love — this is not a dog that adapts well to changing families, as it would find such a change very hard to bear. It needs a great deal of physical exercise, a dynamic family and an owner who hunts, because walks alone are simply not enough for the Épagneul Français: it needs to do what it was born to do — hunt.
Breeders and Price
The Épagneul Français is a breed that enjoys great popularity in its home country, France, yet remarkably it is not widely available abroad. In Italy, finding purebred specimens is difficult; sometimes the only sources are non-profit associations, as there are no specialist breeders of this breed in the country. To purchase a puppy, it is best to contact local breeders and ask for all relevant information.
Ideally, you should collect the dog in person, so that you can meet its parents and see the environment in which it was born. When buying abroad in particular, it is important to deal only with recognised breeders and to ensure, before completing the purchase, that the dog has up-to-date medical records and a pedigree confirming its purity.
