Have you also noticed that every country has a different attitude towards dogs? The French seem to love dogs as there are more than 51 officially recognized French dog breeds!
In this article, you will get to know French hunting dogs, French herding dogs, French shepherd dogs and many other four-legged baguettes.
With us, place 48 has emerged as a favorite. Which is your French heart dog?
1. Griffon Nivernais
The Griffon Nivernais is a medium-sized hound with a maximum height of 55 to 60 centimeters.
He has shaggy, cloudy fur. This means the ends of the hair are darker than the hairline. He has soft, hairy floppy ears and a wary gaze.
One of the French hunting dogs, the Griffon Nivernais is a pretty tough guy. That is why it is also often used for hunting wild boar.
2. Briquet Griffon Vendeen
The Briquet Griffon Vendéen looks like a shaggy mongrel.
However, the French hunting, companion and guard dog has been officially recognized by the FCI since 1954!
Today, more and more French families are enjoying the faithful companion, even though he is considered very independent and dominant. The Briquet Griffon Vendéen is only for someone who loves a challenge and action!
3. Ariégeois
Here we have in mind a very sociable, enterprising, affectionate, happy, hardworking and trainable dog, the French Ariégeois.
This cheerful dog has a short black and white coat and long lop ears. Although his character description is excellent, this French hound should not be kept purely as a family or companion dog.
He needs a job and if possible, that is: go hunting with dad!
4. Petit Gascon Saintongeois
The Petit Gascon Saintongeois is a French working trial medium-sized hound. Males reach a height of up to 62 centimeters at the withers.
His preference is flint and hare hunting, but he is also used for hunting big game. Here, however, his big brother, the Grand Gascon Saintongeois, is preferred!
5. Grand Gascon Saintongeois
Did you also have small dogs in mind when you thought of France?
We were also amazed at how many large French hunting dogs there are and here comes another one!
The Petit Gascon Saintongeois reaches a proud height of 72 centimeters at the withers. It is used for flint, hare, or hound hunting. His appearance is strong and elegant.
Outside of its hunting ground, the Petit Grand Gascon Saintongeois is a calm and affectionate dog.
6. Grand Bleu de Gascogne
By now you have already got to know a few French dog breeds and have probably already recognized what type of dog the French are into.
The Grand Bleu de Gascogne also joins the ranks of French hunting dogs in terms of appearance and character. He is tall, leggy, active, intelligent and stubborn.
Its ears are long and hanging. He loves to hunt in packs and is known for his excellent nose and deep, howling voice.
7. Poitevin
The French Poitevin not only impresses with his elegance and filigree, athletic physique, but also with his skills!
He is the fastest hunting dog in France and can easily spend up to seven hours a day hunting. Daily routes of 50 kilometers and more are no problem for him.
With a height of 72 centimetres, the large hound weighs just 30 kilograms. He is very lively, active and intelligent. On the other hand gentle, sensitive and friendly.
He is definitely out of the question for family keeping!
8.Billy
The Billy was named after its place of origin, Billy in Poitou, France. He is also one of the big scent hounds and reaches a maximum height of 70 centimeters with a body weight of around 33 kilograms.
The Billy is a robust, original dog that has no great demands. He prefers life in the pack and is definitely not a city or apartment dog.
9. Chien d’Artois
Another French classic is the Chien d’Artois. He also corresponds exactly to the favorite type of the French and ranks among the medium-sized hounds.
He loves to work with his two-legged partner and is primarily used for shotgun hunting. The Chien d’Artois is considered tough, courageous, affectionate, loyal and adventurous.
10. Porcelain
We happily move on to the next medium-sized hound, the Porcelaine. This French dog breed is also an excellent hunter and pack dog.
Its name comes from its white, short and delicate fur, through which the pigmentation of the skin shimmers. It makes him appear elegant and gentle, but he’s anything but a china dog on the hunt!
11. Petit Bleu de Gascogne
The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is actually not that petit. Bitches reach a height of 50 to 56 centimeters and males 52 to 58 centimeters.
This makes it one of the medium-sized hounds and is also used for hunting. Prefers flint and hare hunting.
He has a lot of self-confidence and is very independent. Nevertheless, he can handle it well. The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is considered friendly and affable.
12. Griffon bleu de Gascogne
The Griffon bleu de Gascogne is also a French hunting dog.
Its shaggy, hard and rough fur is characteristic. It is spotted black and white all over its body and may have black patches.
The Griffon bleu de Gascogne is a very people-friendly and sociable dog.
Due to his suitability, however, he also has a strong will of his own and can make decisions independently.
13. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Contrary to its name, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is not that grand. He reaches a maximum height of 44 centimeters.
Nevertheless, he is the fastest of the bassets and a perfect companion on rifle hunts!
The Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen is definitely not suitable for city life, an apartment or purely as a family dog.
We will come to the French dog breeds, which you can also get privately, later. Wait!
14. Basset artesien normand
Another French hound! But this time with short legs.
The Basset artésien normand was specially bred for rabbit hunting and can therefore run damn fast even with its short legs!
He looks super cute, is considered intelligent, eager and a little stubborn. The Basset artésien normand can certainly get used to family life. Nevertheless, a potential owner should deal intensively with the hunting instinct of this French dog breed.
15. Basset bleu de Gascogne
This small French Hound reaches a maximum height of 38 centimeters with a body weight of 16 – 18 kilograms.
He is lively, curious, affectionate, agile and always seems to be happy.
16. Grand Anglo-Francais tricolore
The Grand Anglo-Francais tricolore is a cross between English Foxhounds and French Senthounds.
They are beautiful and impressive animals!
17. Basset fauve de Bretagne
Here comes a real bundle of energy! The Basset fauve de Bretagne is a compact, very lively hunting dog with an excellent sense of smell.
Its fur is short, rough, hard and either fawn, wheaten or brick red.
18. Beauceron
portrait of a purebred french sheepdog beauceron
The Beauceron or Berger de Beauce, Chien de Beauce or Bas-Rouge is a very interesting and demanding dog that is definitely not suitable for beginners.
He has a strong protective instinct and is considered fearless and intelligent.
The Beauceron was allowed to live out its courage as a herding dog for a long time and is still gladly used for this task today. The dominant Beauceron can also be kept as a family and companion dog, but needs people who deal with it intensively!
19. Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
A medium-sized hound specializing in rabbits, foxes, deer and wild boar. He is robust, muscular, active, good-natured, trusting and balanced.
His pronounced hunting instinct does not necessarily make him a relaxed everyday companion.
20. Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Really cute, these French dog breeds. The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is again a particularly sweet specimen. This may be due to the short legs, floppy ears, shaggy fur and sweet face.
However, the Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen should not be underestimated, because it is also an excellent hunter and extremely extroverted and adventurous!
21. Epagneul Breton
The Epagneul Breton is considered an insider tip among hunters. Word has already gotten around in Germany.
Here the medium-sized, long-haired hound is also called «Breton Spaniel».
He is considered to be particularly capable of learning, sociable, clever, full of energy, child-friendly and is also suitable for beginners due to his good-natured nature!
22. French Bulldog
The French bulldog was probably the first thing you thought of?
In fact, this French dog breed has also been around for a relatively long time. Nevertheless, the Frenchie has increasingly become a «fashion dog» in recent decades.
Unfortunately, it’s also the Frenchie that we think of first when we hear the word torture breeding. This breed of dog has been so overbred that the little dog has extreme difficulties with breathing, thermoregulation and gait.
If you are planning to adopt a Frenchie, please take extra care to breed responsibly and do not support torture breeders!
23. Barbet
The bearded dog from France is a real adventurer. He needs a lot of exercise and activity so that he can lead a happy and contented life.
He is an affable and loyal dog who can integrate well into a family. However, the barbet is not suitable for living on the couch!
24. Epagneul bleu de Picardy
The Epagneul bleu de Picardie is a northern French pointer and a loyal companion. He is suitable as a hunting, companion and family dog.
His character is described as balanced, adaptable, caring, calm, gentle and playful.
25. Griffon d’arret à poil dur-Korthals
The Griffon d’arret à poil dur-Korthals or just Griffon Korthals or Griffon à poil dur is another French pointing dog.
It has rough chestnut or steel gray fur with dark patches and reaches a maximum height of 55 to 60 centimeters (males).
26. Epagneul Picard
Also called the Picardy Spaniel, the Epagneul Picard is a continental pointing dog from France. With enough variety, for example through dog sports such as obedience or