Breed characteristics
There is a wide range of sizes, coat textures, and specific abilities among French dog breeds. The French utilized dogs for a wide variety of purposes, including hunting, herding, protecting property, and companionship.
Despite the fact that there is no true link between these various breeds, one thing is certain: the French adore dogs. In France, about half of all families have at least one pet. The majority of pet owners choose dogs as their companion animals.
Among the many canine breeds that call France home, these 22 are among the most well-known.
Barbet
The Barbet is a medium-sized water dog that is one of the most popular French dog breeds. It’s accepted that water dogs
have exceptional swimming skills. They are frequently employed in occupations that need or make use of water, such as water rescue dogs.
The Barbet’s sturdy build and long, woolly, curly fur make it an ideal water dog. Because of their strong coats, they can survive in water that is quite chilly. Despite some debate, the Barbet is commonly understood to have originated in France. Since they are among the oldest European dog breeds, if not the oldest, there is some uncertainty around their genesis.
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Basset Fauve de Bretagne
This French dog breed, also known as the Fawn Colored Brittany Basset, excels at tracking small animals over a wide variety of terrain types. Although Basset Hounds have a sluggish appearance, they are actually quite agile and can easily catch a fleeing rabbit.
They are great pets for any family because of their friendly and lovable attitudes. However, they need a lot of socialization with other small pets and cats because of their hunting heritage and prey drive. If you have children, it is essential.
These dogs are friendly and versatile, but they can have a stubborn side. Because of this, they should only be owned by energetic people who can train them to obey with regularity and a firm hand.
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Basset Hounds
These well-liked canines originated in France and Belgium, where they were bred to be a low-snout scent hounds. French for “low” is a basset.
Basset hounds gained popularity among the French hunting nobility due to their great noses and dogged determination. They are well-liked as pets because they are friendly, loyal, and low-energy.
However, bassets can be defiant, so training may require some extra time and effort. As they are known to be food motivated, it is important to provide them with a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Because of the shape of their long, hanging ears, they need to have their ears often cleaned to prevent infections.
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Beauceron
Beaucerons are some of the most daring and loyal french breeds you’ll encounter, but they’re sometimes misidentified as Dobermans due to their similar appearance.
They were originally hired as field workers. This covered everything from guiding livestock herds to guarding against poachers. Despite being somewhat unknown outside of France, Beauceron canines are exceptionally clever, lively, and confident.
They are working dogs and thrive when given a task, yet that doesn’t mean they won’t test their master from time to time. When they reach the end of their 12-year lifespan, heart disease becomes their primary health worry.
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Berger Picard
The Picardy region of northern France is where the Berger Picard first appeared. Thus, it’s only fitting that the breed is called after there. Berger is the French term for shepherd. These dogs were prized for their intelligence, initiative, and perseverance in the field of sheep herding.
The Briard and the Beauceron are two other French herding groups with whom they share close ties. The destruction of their farms during World War II severely reduced their population. Until recently, their numbers have been low.
The Berger Picard is an excellent choice if you want a dog that is dedicated, bright, and fearless and who will enjoy participating in dog sports and going on daily treks with you. They may be fiercely independent and distrustful of new people. To keep them from being unduly anxious or reactive, this breed will need consistent socializing.
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Bloodhound
The Bloodhound is the finest sniffer dog in the world. If you encounter one of these lanky, droopy dogs dozing in the sun on someone’s front porch, don’t be fooled by its appearance of indifference. Those pups work like hounds. Once they’ve locked onto a trail, they won’t let go.
Bloodhounds are used by professionals in a variety of fields, including hunting, policing, and investigating. When they have a whiff of anything, they don’t slow down, and it makes them incredibly useful for service work.
Having a Bloodhound as a family pet is a wonderful experience from a social and emotional standpoint. Laziness during free time necessitates modest activity levels. As content as they are chasing after squirrels in the yard, they would be resting by your side.
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Braque du Bourbonnais
This ancient pointer breed is extremely rare in the United States despite being a highly intelligent gundog. Moreover, it’s not the first French dog that was almost lost forever before being saved by careful breeders.
The Braque du Bourbonnais, like all other French pointer breeds, can trace its ancestry back to the first French Pointer, which was developed in the 1500s. The Braque de Bourbonnais was “recreated” in the 1970s after nearly dying out in the 1960s.
Some additional types of French pointers are the Braque Saint Germain and the Braque d’Auvergne.
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Braque Francais Pyrenean
These dogs are friendly and sociable, and they do well with both humans and canine companions. In addition to being people-friendly and amenable to obedience instruction, these French canines are also beautiful. Because of this, the Francais Pyrenean
is more well-rounded than most other French dog breeds.
Francais Pyreneans’ are praised by their proprietors for their unique ability to juggle work and family responsibilities. This is in part because the
y are so flexible and can adjust to new environments and ways of life as long as they get enough playtime and mental challenge.
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Briard
The Briard is a huge, sturdy dog with beautiful, silky hair. They are the oldest French dog breeds that were originally bred for herding purposes. Briards have earned veneration as a result of their reputation as trustworthy friends.
Briards are lauded for their excellent disposition because they are generally sociable and welcoming toward both canine and human companions. Being a herding breed, they enjoy going on adventures. Perhaps it’s acceptable if you’re a farmer or own a sizable piece of land. On the other hand, city inhabitants may not benefit as much.
Don’t be fooled by the Briard’s lengthy hair; he or she is actually a fairly mild shedder. Because of their tendency to mat, though, you’ll need to brush them multiple times a week. Common health problems, including hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism, are possible in this breed.
These trustworthy guardians make wonderful house pets. While the temperament of these French dogs is ideal for households, some of them can be reserved at first when meeting new people.
It’s interesting to learn that the Briard is a hybrid of two other French dog breeds: the Beauceron and the Barbet.
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Brittany
The medium-sized Brittany Spaniel is full of life and has a strong desire to explore the world. Brittanys are bred to be bird dogs, so you should expect them to keep a sharp eye out for, and even chase after, anything small enough to catch their attention.
If you don’t have the time to devote to your Brittany, don’t get one. They need a lot of mental activity because their minds are always going. It’s hardly the kind of animal you’d often find lying around. They constantly have a can-do attitude and are eager to take on additional responsibilities.
They are friendly to everyone they meet, whether they are complete strangers or children, and they always have a wagging tail. But you’ll have a tough time stopping your Brittany’s fast pace for a moment of pettiness. They’d rather make a new pal who’ll throw them a ball.
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Dogue de Bordeaux
Large in stature but kind in disposition, the French mastiff is a large french dog breed. They resemble bulldogs in appearance and have short, fawn-colored coats. Despite their massive size, Dogue de Bordeaux is a kind and devoted pet.
Although they have a reputation for being stubborn as puppies, with consistent training, they may be made to behave. Some of them have a tendency toward obesity; therefore, it’s best to limit their access to high-calorie foods like human food scraps.
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French Bulldog
The French Bulldog, or “Frenchie” for short, is one of the most well-liked small dog breeds in France. The English Bulldog is the ancestor of the modern miniature bulldog. Their friendly personalities, playfulness, and lovable natures make it easy to see why these ‘bat-eared’ dogs are so popular.
It’s crucial to keep in mind that these dogs have high social needs and demand a lot of attention from their owners if you want them to remain well-adjusted. If a French Bulldog is left alone for long periods of time, it may become destructive and suffer from separation anxiety. Therefore, it may not be a good fit for you if you’re constantly on the go or if you value your independence.
Keep in mind that these canines are brachycephalic, meaning they require special attention to ensure their continued health. This helps protect French Bulldogs from common health problems as well.
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French Spaniel
A French Spaniel is a kind, active, and intelligent dog. On the contrary, these hunting and falconry spaniels are the largest of their kind. They are of the pointing variety, which means they will stop moving and instead point in the direction of their quarry.
They are naturally motivated to work and learn, making them easy to instruct. They learn rapidly from guidance and direction, making them ideal candidates for basic obedience training and stunts.
Because of their sturdy constitution, this breed rarely experiences health problems. But they are susceptible to a recessive genetic disease called acral mutilation and analgesia. As a result, the animals lose feeling in their legs and paws, and their paw pads eventually wear away.
Due to their high stimulation requirements, they are not suitable as apartment pets. In addition, they cannot survive in a kennel throughout the day. When a pet is unable to play or run around, it may develop destructive or anxious behaviors to channel its excess energy. If given a chance to release their energy, these dogs may be very obedient and loving companions.
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Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen
The Vendéen area of France, known as the Vendée, produced the grand basset griffon Vendéen (GBGV) in the 16th century as a tenacious, relentless hunter capable of bringing down enormous game.
By the turn of the twentieth century, breeders had created two distinct sizes of griffon: the bigger Great Basset Griffon (GBGV) and the smaller Petit Basset (PBGV). Present day, the GBGV is still uncommon outside of France. Although they have a reputation for being devoted and affectionate, they also have a high prey drive, may be stubborn, and require frequent vigorous exercise.
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Grand Bleu de Gascogne
It has its origins in the French area of Gascony, although outside of France, it is rarely used. Gascony is one of the most popular breeds of hunting dogs in France. In appearance, these hound dogs can be rather massive and intimidating. They have powerful muscles, long, powerful legs, and large, floppy ears.
Historically, it has served as a pack hunting dog because of its acute sense of scent and sturdy build. After that, their noble, calm, and devoted nature helped them become popular pets.
Nonetheless, they do have a loud bark; therefore, training and socializing are essential in order to minimize excessive barking. It bears repeating that they are not suggested for teachers who have never owned a dog.
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Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
When it comes to tracking, the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne is the breed to beat. Their uniqueness, however, lies in the fact that they can thrive in a wide range of environments. These griffons are professional hunters, and it shows.
These French hunting dogs also make wonderful companion pets for their human families. They will have the unwavering loyalty of a German Shepherd and the sunny disposition of a child. These pups are eager to learn and will excel at any training you throw at them, including tricks and obedience.
However, they are not suited to the role of a guard dog. Their sociability and friendliness are excessive. They’re wonderful around friends and family and often show the same warmth to complete strangers. Consequently, a Griffon Fauve is a great choice for a family pet.
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Griffon Nivernais
The Griffon Nivernais is a smart, social, and energetic dog breed with French origins. It’s great for families with kids because of how friendly and lively it is. Because of their boundless enthusiasm, they do best in busy households with access to outside space.
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Papillon
Papillons share a higher intelligence level with Labradors and Rottweilers, with whom they rank tenth among all dog breeds. Because of this, they excel at agility events and respond well to almost any kind of training.
The Papillon’s quickness to learn new acts, however, will be appreciated by less dedicated owners. The Papillons are cheerful house pets that can also serve as guard dogs. And yet, despite their laid-back demeanor, they are a very sensitive species, with very little slipping by them.
They’re little, but these dogs aren’t exactly the ideal picks for couch potatoes. Not because they don’t care about their owners but because they prefer to keep their distance. The Papillon’s upbeat disposition and optimistic outlook make it a welcome addition to any family.
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Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen
According to the American Kennel Club, the French name for this breed is a great description in English: “Petit- little; Basset- low to the ground; Griffon- rough or wire coated; and Vendéen- the area of France he originates from.”
The PBGV, as it is commonly abbreviated, is a short, stocky scent hound that was developed specifically for tracking hares and other small games. PBGVs are great pets because of their self-assured, energetic demeanor (well, maybe it’s a Napoleon complex?), but only if you’re willing to provide them with enough exercise and mental stimulation.
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Picardy Spaniel
The Picardy Spaniel is a more recent addition to a line of French Spaniels that may be traced back to the Middle Ages. These magnificent medium-sized dogs were created when English Setters and French Spaniels bred them. They are easily trainable for people who enjoy duck, goose, and other bird hunting, and their gorgeous blue coat is a hit with the kids.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog
Since the Middle Ages, the Pyrenean, one of the tallest of the mountain breeds, has been protecting flocks in the Pyrenees. He gained favor in the royal courts and palaces of the nobility due to his refined demeanor. Louis XIV christened him France’s Royal Dog.
The French Army utilized the Pyrenean, a calm and gentle worker, as a courier dog and a pack dog during World War II. It has also been reported that the Pyrenean was used as a smuggler to transport vast quantities of prohibited commodities from one side of the Pyrenees to the other, bypassing customs posts by using difficult human trails.
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Standard Poodle
The Poodle is a lively, adaptable dog that is the official french breed and is renowned for possessing superior dog intelligence. It’s true, you know. It’s been found that Standard Poodles are the second-smartest canine species. Actually, only the Border Collie is more dedicated to their duties.
Poodles are energetic canines that will appreciate a trip to the lake or the beach because of their ancestors’ initial purpose in breeding them. As befits such a graceful and regal canine, they tend to be haughty and outgoing.
Some of the top show dogs have french Poodles as their owner. A Poodle’s distinctive coat prevents excessive shedding. They are dogs that are hypoallergenic, making them ideal for anyone with allergies. However, they still need to have their coats brushed on occasion to get rid of the debris that accumulates on them.
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To Sum Up
We just mentioned a small fraction of the rare and prized breeds that may trace their ancestry back to France. Which of these French dog breeds do you most admire?
