AKA: Epagneul Francais

Description: The French Spaniel has a well-formed head, of medium length and width. It has a sloping stop, with a brown nose, dark oval eyes, and long feathery ears set back and hanging. The neck is muscular and arched, and the back is slightly sloping. The thighs are muscular and well-rounded. The chest is wide and deep. The tail is not docked and is usually set low. The coat of the French Spaniel is feathery along the back of the legs, belly, tail, and ears.

Dynamics: The French Spaniel has a calm and even temper. It is affectionate and is gentle with children. It has the tendency to become so attached to its owners. This breed is people-oriented and do not like to be alone. It can be easily trained and is sensitive, so training and caring for it has to be consistent, firm, but gentle. This is an intelligent and brave breed, enthusiastic and persistent in hunting and possessing an excellent nose.

Breed Group: Hunting

Weight: 44 – 55 pounds (20-25 kg)

Height: males 22-24 inches (55-61 cm), females 21-23 inches (54-59 cm)

Color: The coat of the French Spaniel comes in white with liver markings, which can either be small or dominating. Speckling may be present.

Country of Origin: The French Spaniel is a distant descendant of the Chien d’Oysel from the middle ages. The French Spaniel is a rare breed, even in its homeland France, where it was almost endangered but was revived by Father Fournier.

Activities: The French Spaniel loves exercise, and it has the amount of stamina for it. This breed is known as a remarkable hunting companion, retriever and flusher.

Grooming: The feathery coat of the French Spaniel should be brushed regularly. Bathe only when necessary. The ears has to be checked to avoid infections.

Other Info: The French Spaniel is not recommended to live in the city or in an apartment. This is an active dog made for the hunt and action. This breed can resist the cold and harsh conditions.

Photo by Trisha Shears

AKA: Bourbonnais Pointer, French Pointing Dog, French Pointer

Description: The Braque du Bourbonnais is a medium-sized pointing dog with muscular features and a round head. Its nose is the same color as its coat and its eyes are big with the color of hazel or dark amber. Its ears are slightly set at eye level hanging down.

The body of the Braque du Bourbonnais is solid, wide, and muscular. Its chest is wide and deep, and its ribs are well-sprung and rounded. The tail is set low and short. Sometimes, the tail is naturally absent. The forelegs are straight, and both legs are well-constructed.

Dynamics: The Braque du Bourbonnais is an affectionate dog with a calm personality. It is only when hunting and running around when its passion and vigor is clearly seen. The Braque du Bourbonnais is intelligent and quick to learn. It can adapt quickly to any terrrain and condition. It is also very cooperative and agreeable, which makes it an excellent hunting and companion dog.

The Braque du Bourbonnais is a people-oriented dog and likes to be with its family at all times. It can also get along well with other breeds.

Breed Group: Gun Dog, Sporting

Weight: males 39.5-55 lbs (18-25 cm), females 35-48.5 lbs (16-22 cm)

Height: males 20-22.5 inches (51-57 cm), females 18.5-22 inches (47-56 cm)

Color: The coat of the Braque du Bourbonnais has two colors: liver and fawn. It can be moderately ticked, with possible spotting. There is also a spot that covers one eye.

Country of Origin: The Braque du Bourbonnais comes from the Province of Bourbonnais, France, tracing far back to 1598.

Grooming: Brush and bathe only when necessary. The ears should be checked regularly and the nails trimmed.

Activities: The Braque du Bourbonnais is a hunting dog so it naturally prefers to be outdoors. Lots of exercises and time outdoors is needed for this breed.

Other Info: The Braque du Bourbonnais has a life expectancy of 13-15 years. It is generally healthy, but still prone to hip dysplasia, ectropion eyes, and pulmonic stenosis of the heart. The Braque du Bourbonnais is not fit to live in an apartment. It may be people-oriented but it is an active breed which is bred for hunting and outdoors.

AKA: Boykin

Description: The Boykin Spaniel came from the breed of Spaniels, larger than the Cocker Spaniel, and with a rather wavy or curly coat. Its distinctive feature is its ears which are small and set high on the head, covered with long wavy hair. It also has yellow or amber eyes that is also considered its trademark characteristic.

Dynamics: The Boykin Spaniel is a pleasant-mannered and obedient companion dog. It is intelligent, enthusiastic, and eager to please its owner. This breed is an excellent swimmer, fueled by its love for water. It needs to be dried immediately though, because this breed is prone to ear infections. The Boykin Spaniel also has an excellent nose, which makes it a great hunter.

Breed Group: Gun Dog

Weight: 25-40 lbs (11-18 kg)

Height: 15-18 inches (38-46 cm)

Color: The Boykin Spaniel comes in either liver or brown.

Country of Origin: The Boykin Spaniel originated in South Carolina, United States, bred as a hunting spaniel and descended from a small brown spaniel dog found by Alexander White who gave it to his partner L. Whitaker Boykin. Crossed with American Water Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Pointers, and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, the dog (named “Dumpy”) gave existence to the Boykin Spaniel.

Grooming: The coat of the Boykin Spaniel needs to be brushed every few days to avoid matting.

Activities: The Boykin Spaniel is a hunting spaniel and therefore needs a lot of exercises. It has an enthusiastic personality that adds makes the breed energetic and hardworking. It needs to have a job to do to burn off its energy, otherwise it’ll get bored and become destructive. This breed is used in hunting and retrieving upland birds and water fowls, and is very popular among bird hunters.

Other Info: The Boykin Spaniel has a life expectancy of 14-16 years. Like other breeds, it is prone to hip dysplasia, eye problems, and sometimes heart and skin problems. But it is a generally healthy breed. The Boykin spaniel will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised.