French Spaniel

The French Spaniel is a very old breed and can be researched back to the 14^th century. He is the oldest of the French pointing breeds. He was originally used for falconry and net hunting. It has been documented that the French Spaniel descends from a diverse varieties of hunting dogs, especially bird dogs from the Middle Ages. He became popular in France and her surrounding countries but was virtually unknown in other countries until the 1970s when the French Spaniel was imported into the Quebec, Canada. A breed club was formed in Quebec and he quickly gained popularity as a woodcock and grouse hunter. The breed club’s main goal was to preserve the French Spaniel breed standard. The Canadian Kennel Club officially recognized the French Spaniel in 1985. The French Spaniel is thought to be related to the Dutch Partridge Dog and the Small Munsterlander. He also is believed to be a direct descendent of a longhaired setter called the Chien d’Oysel. The Chien d’Oysel is believed to be the foundation dog for most pointing spaniels. The French Spaniel was used extensively in the 1600s as a game bird hunter. However, during the 19^th century, the number of French Spaniels began dwindling because several English sporting breeds were brought into France. Father Fournier was an enthusiast of the breed and worked diligently to preserve the breed. The first breed standard was written in 1891 by J. de Connick. The first standard described the French Spaniel as a larger dog with more power and muscle than the Brittany Spaniel. The United Kennel Club recognized the French Spaniel in 1996. He is also recognized as a part of the American Kennel Club’s Foundation Stock Service.