French Breeds
Reading edition
Pyrenean Sheepdog
French Sheepdog
Barbet
Smooth-Coated Basset
Rough-Coated Basset
Rough-Coated Basset of Brittany
Basset of Ardennes
Rough-Coated Basset of Vendée
Blue Basset of Gascogne
French Pointer
Dupuy Pointer
Pointer of Ariege
Pointer of Saint-Germain
Pointer Bourbonnais
Blue Pointer of Auvergne
French Setter
Setter of Picardie
Setter of Pont-Audemer
Griffon Boulet
Griffon Guerlain
Griffon Nivernais
Griffon Fauve de Bretagne
Griffon Vendeen
French Bulldog
Non-Corded Poodle
Corded Poodle
Toy Poodle
Bordeaux
Hound of Vendée
Poitevin Hound
Poitou Hound
Normand Dog
Saintonge
Gascogne
Franche-Comté
Artois
Virelade
Gris de Saint-Louis
PYRENEAN SHEEPDOG
Color: All white, sometimes with small orange patches on the ears.
Height: 30 in.
Weight: 155 lbs.
This is a large, well-built dog, with a rather weak head in comparison to his body. The skull is slightly rounded, and the muzzle should not be too square. The small eyes should be brown and set obliquely in the head. Ears of medium size, hanging close to the head. The tail is long, well feathered and carried low, and his coat is long, straight, dense, and fitting close to the body.
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FRENCH SHEEPDOG
Color: Dirty black, slate, grizzle and reddish.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 65 lbs.
This is a well-built dog of medium size, with a busy and intelligent appearance, and is well covered with a shaggy coat. The head is strong and covered with long hair, forming eyebrows, beard and whiskers, yet the eye is not hidden by the hair. The eyes are brown and very expressive, ears short, erect and never pendulous and often cut. Body is well-built for endurance. The tail is never docked, of medium length and carried low, and his coat is long and woolly.
BARBET
Color: Grizzle black, creamy brown, dirty white, white and chestnut, and white and black.
Height: 22 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
The Barbet is a strongly made dog, very compactly built. Is round and broad in skull with forehead well developed. Muzzle broad and short, well furnished with long moustaches. The eyes are round, lively and intelligent and dark brown in color, and are entirely hidden by the long and thick hair on the eyebrows. The ears are set on low, are long and flat and well covered with long, curly hair, which often forms cords or ringlets. The body is strongly built, ribs and loins well rounded and muscular. The forelegs are straight with plenty of bone and covered with long hair. The tail is set on low, carried slightly upwards. The Barbet’s coat is long, woolly and curly, forming cords or ringlets.
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SMOOTH-COATED FRENCH BASSET HOUND
Color: Black with white and tan, the head, shoulders and quarters a rich tan, and black patches on the back. They are sometimes hare-pied.
Height: 13 in.
Weight: 50 lbs.
The head is most perfect when it closely resembles that of a bloodhound. It is long and narrow with heavy flues, prominent occiput, and forehead wrinkled to the eyes. The general appearance of the head should indicate high breeding and a reproachful dignity. The eyes show a kind expression and no haw is visible. Ears very long, so long that in hunting they will often actually tread on them, set on low, and hang loose in folds like drapery. Their texture is thin and velvety. Forelegs only about four inches long. Stern is carried hound fashion, coat short, fine, smooth and glossy. Skin is loose and elastic.
ROUGH-COATED FRENCH BASSET HOUND
Color: Any recognized hound color.
Height: 13 in.
Weight: 50 lbs.
A very powerful hound for its size, on short and strong legs. The head is large, skull long and narrow and peak well developed. A snipy or weak jaw is objectionable. The eyes are dark with a kindly and intelligent expression. Ears set on low, of good length and fine in texture. Chest large and very deep. Body massive, of good length, any weakness or lightness of loin being a bad fault. Forelegs are short and very powerful. Stern of moderate length and carried gaily. The coat is profuse, thick and harsh to the touch, with a dense undercoat, and may be wavy.
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ROUGH-COATED BASSET OF BRITTANY
Color: Tawny red with white markings.
Height: 12 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
This is a coarse-looking dog with long body and short, heavy neck. The head is long with high domed skull. Stop slightly developed and long muzzle. The eyes are dark in color, ears long, rounded at the tips and slightly folded. Stern of medium length and carried upwards. The coat is wiry and broken, of fair length, softer on the skull and ears.
BASSET OF THE ARDENNES
Color: Black and tan, hare color or tawny red.
Height: 15 in.
Weight: 55 lbs.
This is a typical hound, a bloodhound in miniature. The head is large but not broad, skull high and narrow, occipital bone well developed, with pendulous lips. Eyes brown, with eye lids loose and pendulous. The ears are long, fine and hanging forward close to the jaws. Body is heavy and massive and the back long, broad and deep. The stern is carried hound-like. The coat is short, hard on the body, but softer on the ears and skull.
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ROUGH-COATED BASSET OF VENDÉE
Color: White with red patches or tri-color.
Height: 15 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
This is a dog of strong and muscular shape, with a long, lean, slightly rounded head. The eyes are dark brown with an intelligent outlook and somewhat hidden by the strong eyebrows. The ears are soft, flat and covered with white hair. Body long and low, and deep in chest. The stern is short, set on high and carried very gaily. The coat is hard but of rather fine texture.
BLUE BASSET OF GASCOGNE
Color: Tri-color, so-called trout color, blue mottled, white with black and light tan spots above the eyes.
Height: 14 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
This is a strong and massive dog, with a long, well developed head, skull high and narrow, prominent occiput and lips not too pendulous. The eyes are dark brown, ears very long and folded. He is long in body, with broad and deep chest. The stern is fine, set on low, and carried upwards, and his coat is short and dense.
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FRENCH POINTER
The stern is generally docked; in all other respects similar to the English Pointer.
DUPUY POINTER
Color: Pure white with small or large dull brown markings.
Height: 27 in.
Weight: 50 lbs.
The Dupuy Pointer is a big upstanding dog with considerable elegance in his movements. The head is narrow and long. Occipital bone prominent, muzzle long, lean and slightly arched. Eyes golden brown in color with a rather melancholy expression. Nose well developed and broad and brown in color. Lips fine, thin and very tight. Ears set on rather high, very fine in texture, not too long, and folded backwards. The neck is long and gracefully arched. Chest deep and narrow. Hindquarters strong and muscular. Stern long, set low and carried like a greyhound’s tail.
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POINTER OF ARIEGE
Color: White with light brown or lemon spots.
Height: 26 in.
Weight: 70 lbs.
This dog is elegant in build and well developed. The skull should be rather narrow with the occipital bone well defined. Muzzle long with a slight stop. Lips thin and pendulous. Ears very thin, long and set on low. Neck long, graceful, strong and free from dewlaps. Chest broad and deep, long in the back and loins. Hindquarters muscular and well developed. The tail is long, set on rather low, and generally docked.
POINTER OF SAINT-GERMAIN
Color: White with large lemon markings, not spots.
Height: 27 in.
Weight: 60 lbs.
In general appearance he is a clever looking, graceful dog, symmetrical in shape and standing rather high on the leg. The occipital bone should be well developed. Skull rather broad. Stop well defined, and the muzzle long and straight. Eyes golden or yellow in color. Ears set on high, shorter than the ears of the French Pointer, but longer than the ears of the English Pointer. The neck is strong and well arched; chest deep and broad. Hindquarters muscular and fully developed. Tail thick at the root, carried straight or with a little curve but no curl at the tip.
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POINTER BOURBONNAIS
Color: White with light chestnut spots, and no large markings.
Height: 24 in.
Weight: 70 lbs.
This dog is rather lighter in bone than the English and French varieties, is shorter and more compact in build, and more of the appearance of a cob. The head should be long, straight and rather broad; eyes large, dark amber in color, and with an intelligent expression. Ears fine and not too long, set on rather low and hanging in folds. Neck strong, short and muscular. Chest deep and broad. Hindquarters short, round and muscular. Stern set on rather low, and not more than 3 inches in length.
BLUE POINTER OF AUVERGNE
Color: White with black markings and tickings, giving a blue effect. Head always black with a white blaze up the face.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 53 lbs.
In general appearance this dog is of perfect proportions suitable for hard work. The occipital bone should be well defined. Skull broad with a pronounced dip below the eyes. Muzzle straight and cheek bones well developed. The eyes should be dark brown in color. Lips very pendulous. Ears long and fine in texture, hanging in folds and should be set on level with the eyes and not carried too closely to the head. Neck strong, slightly arched and throaty. Hindquarters and legs similar to other varieties of the Pointer. Stern strong at the root and generally docked and set on low.
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FRENCH SETTER
Color: White with chestnut patches.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
The French Setter is a strong, shapely dog of an imposing appearance. The head is strong and well developed. Skull round, broad and long with the occipital bone well defined and the stop nicely chiselled. The eyes should be rather small, dark amber in color, and of open expression. His chest should be very deep and broad with long and rather flat ribs. The stern set on high, rather long and be carried in two curves; the first convex and the second concave, with a nice fringe of long, wavy, silky hair. His coat should be thick and not bright, smooth on the head and flat on the body with a fair amount on the belly, chest and throat and the ears and legs well feathered.
SETTER OF PICARDIE
This is a variety of the French Setter and is sometimes called the black Setter of the North. The points are the same, except that in color he should be brown and grizzle, black or black and tan.
SETTER OF PONT-AUDEMER
Color: Brown and grizzle, brown and white, or self-colored brown. A black or black and white coat is objectionable.
Height: 22 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
This dog should be of a short, thick-set build with a cobby appearance. The skull should be round with prominent occipital bone, forehead rising well toward the top-knot or crest. Eyes dark amber with a good and frank expression. Nose brown and nostrils well open. The ears should be set on rather low, hanging close to the neck and should be very long and well furnished with long, crisp hair. The chest is deep and broad, back and loins strong and muscular; back slightly convex, strong and short. The stern should be strong in bone at the root, carried rather straight and is generally docked. The coat should be crisp on the ears and top-knot, which should stand upright, and rather thick and curly on the body. The hair on mask should be smooth.
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GRIFFON BOULET
Color: Chestnut, dead leaf color with or without white, never with black or yellow.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
A rather coarse-looking dog, but with a sharp appearance and his expression is mild and intelligent. Has broad and round skull, long, broad and square muzzle, with heavy moustaches. The “stop” well defined but accentuated by strong eyebrows, give him a rather savage aspect. The eyes, however, are intelligent and affable, of yellow color. The nose is light color or brown with nostrils well open. The chest is broad and deep and the ribs well arched. The forelegs are strong and muscular, covered with abundance of long hair. The straight tail is of medium length, well covered with hair but no feathering. His coat is of a nondescript character, fairly long, and silky without brilliancy and smooth or wavy, but is never curly.
GRIFFON GUERLAIN
Color: White with orange or yellow patches.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 56 lbs.
This is a medium-sized dog, short in the body and compactly built. He has a big head for his size and the eyes are rather large and light brown in color. The nose is always brown with nostrils well open. Chest broad and back strong and well developed. The legs are straight and muscular, rather on the long side and well covered with short, wiry hair. Stern is carried straight, covered with wiry hair but without feathering, and a third of its length is generally docked. The coat is hard and wiry, rather short and not curly.
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GRIFFON NIVERNAIS
Color: Tri-color, black and tan and brown, with or without dirty white patches.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 60 lbs.
A strongly built dog, rather long in body and not particularly attractive in appearance. The head is fairly long and rather square with slightly domed skull. Muzzle also of medium length and of square formation. The eyes are bright, intelligent and brown in color. Ears set high and well back on the head, of good size and hanging without folds close to the head. Back long, straight and muscular, as also are the loins. The legs are straight with plenty of bone and covered with hard hair. Stern of medium length, also well covered with hair. The coat is semi-long, close and of a hard texture.
GRIFFON FAUVE DE BRETAGNE
Color: Fallow, inclined to red, sometimes discolored red.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 65 lbs.
A heavily-built dog, very robust. The head is large and strong with flat skull, prominent occiput and muzzle of good length, square and strong. The ears should not be too long and are covered with soft hair. The neck is short and muscular and the chest deep. He is endowed with plenty of bone in the leg and has splendid feet. The stern is of medium length, well covered with hair but not any feathering. The coat is semi-long, hard and wiry.
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GRIFFON VENDEEN
Color: White and orange, white and wheaten, white and mouse-gray, and with red or brown patches.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 65 lbs.
An upstanding dog of firm structure, covered with a hard and close coat. The head is rather big and typical, pronounced in occiput and muzzle of good length. The eyes are rather small, brown in color and full of life. Ears long, nicely folded and hang gracefully. He is muscular in body, deep and broad in chest with a rather long muscular back. The stern is of medium length, carried gaily and well covered with hard hair. The coat is thick, hard and wiry.
A similar dog to the Vendeen but more nervous in temperament and not so heavily coated as the Griffon de Cosse, and those marked with the red or brown patches are called Griffons du Grip or Griffons d’Anjou.
FRENCH BULLDOG
Color: Almost any color, but black and black and tan will disqualify.
Weight: Three classes are provided, under 20 lbs., 20 to 24 lbs., and 24 to 28 lbs.
The French Bulldog ought to have the appearance of an active, intelligent and very muscular dog of cobby build and heavy in the bone for his size. The head should be large and square with the forehead nearly flat, the muscles of the cheek well developed but not prominent. “Stop” as deep as possible. The forehead should be wrinkled, and the skin of the head not tight. Eyes moderate in size and dark in color. “Bat” ears of medium size, large at the base and rounded at the tips and placed high on the head. The body should be short and rotund with a distinct roach and light but sound quarters. His shoulders should be strong and he should stand on short but fairly stout limbs for his size. The fundamental difference between the French Bulldog and the English miniature is seen in the foreface which in the French should show some slight protrusion of the under-jaw, and some turnup, but no layback.
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CORDED POODLE
Color: All black, all white, all red, or all blue.
Height: 22 in.
Weight: 50 lbs.
The most popular varieties of the Poodle are the corded and non-corded. In general appearance he presents an active and elegant outline. He is a well-built dog and carries himself proudly. The head is long, straight and fine. The muzzle should be strong and the lips black and fit tightly. Eyes almond shape, very dark brown, and full of fire and intelligence. The ears are long and wide, set on high and hang close to the head. The back is strong and muscular. The tail is set on high and should never be curled or carried over the back. In the corded variety the white Poodle should have dark eyes, black or dark liver nose, lips and toe nails. The red Poodle should have dark amber eyes, with dark liver nose, lips and toe nails. The blue Poodle should be of even color, without patches of black or white, and have dark eyes, lips and toe nails. All the other points of the white, red and blue Poodle should be the same as the perfect black Poodle. The coat should be very profuse, of good, hard texture, hanging in tight, even cords. In the non-corded variety the coat should be very profuse, of hard texture of even length, and may be either curly or fluffy.
NON-CORDED POODLE
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TOY POODLE
Similar in all respects to the non-corded variety, but the coat is softer and silkier, and he should not stand more than 12 inches high or weigh more than 10 pounds.
BORDEAUX
Color: Reddish fawn, with red mask, red with red mask, fawn and no mask, fawn or red with black mask. Brindles, blacks and pied disqualify.
Height: 29 in.
Weight: 120 lbs.
This is a smooth-coated dog, very powerful in build, somewhat low in stature, massive, broad and muscular. He possesses an enormous head, greater in proportion to his body than that of any other breed, and should be very long and broad, high and square, and the whole of the face and muzzle should be covered with ropes of loose skin, lying in wrinkles. The eyes are small, wide apart, deep set, light in color, and very penetrating in expression. The “rose” ears when uncropped should be small and fine in texture. The neck is very thick and powerful, with skin very loose, forming a dewlap on each side of the throat. Back is short and straight, of great breadth at the shoulder, and the hindquarters should be pear-shaped, as in the bulldog, and it should not be forgotten that this dog is the gladiator of his race.
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HOUND OF VENDÉE
Color: White or with dark red and yellow patches.
Height: 28 in.
Weight: 58 lbs.
A strong dog, well built and elegant. His head is clean and slightly arched and skull rounded. The eyes are dark yellow or dark brown in color. Nose brown with well open nostrils. The ears are flexible, thin, long, pendulous, set on low and nicely folded. The neck is long, clean, well muscled and splendidly arched. The loins are well arched, powerful and deep. Legs clean, straight and well boned and stern of medium length, tapering and carried rather high. The coat is short and fine.
POITEVIN HOUND
Color: White, blue and orange, with pale tan markings on body and legs.
Height: 25 in.
Weight: 58 lbs.
This is a muscular sort of dog with rather square fine head, slightly domed in skull, occipital bone not particularly well developed. Eyes are brown and intelligent. Nose black with open nostrils. Ears well set on, rather short and well folded. Neck of good length. Back slightly arched and chest not too deep. The legs are straight, strong and well boned. Stern of medium length, carried gaily and with a short, rather thick coat.
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POITOU HOUND
Color: White, black and tan, and tri-color.
Height: 26 in.
Weight: 58 lbs.
A muscular dog with limbs rather flat but large. The head is lean, fine and carried proudly on a well arched neck. The skull is slightly domed and the occipital bone just visible, and the muzzle should be long. The brown eyes give him a bright and intelligent expression. The ears are moderately short, very thin, velvety and hang gracefully in folds. His deep chest, slightly arched back, well muscled loins and straight, well-boned limbs, fit him for arduous work. The stern is of medium length and tapers towards the point. The coat is coarse and should not be too short, especially on hindquarters and stern.
NORMAND DOG
Color: White with large brown, black or grizzled patches, tri-color with grizzle saddle.
Height: 29 in.
Weight: 78 lbs.
A heavy, strong, rather coarse-looking dog and is the heaviest of all the French Hounds. He has a long, broad skull with coarse muzzle and the skin on the head is very loose and wrinkled. The eyes are full and gay and the haw is visible. Ears set on low, long, thin, velvety and folding inwards. The body is rather long and heavy. Neck short, strong and thick with heavy dewlap. Back broad, strong and well muscled. Legs strong, muscular and with rather coarse bone. The feet are clean and pointed. The stern is thick at the root, tapering towards the point and carried gaily, curved upwards. The coat is short and coarse in appearance.
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SAINTONGE
Color: White with black patches and blue belton. The ears and palate always black and he has light tan spots above the eyes.
Height: 28 in.
Weight: 62 lbs.
In general appearance this dog is elegant and not too heavily built. The head is lean, light and of a fair length, with skull slightly arched and with occipital bone well developed. The eyes are bright and intelligent, showing the haw and brown in color. Ears long, fine, set on low, black in color, edged with a light tan. Chest deep and rather narrow; legs straight, lean and rather long. Stern is of medium length and tapering. Coat short and fine.
GASCOGNE
Color: Blue or white with many black spots, blue mottled, and pale tan markings, rather black and the legs tinted with red.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 55 lbs.
This is a strong and massive dog, with a large and sometimes a rather long head, with the occipital bone well developed, resembling in this respect a bloodhound. The eyes are brown, bright and clear, and somewhat hidden, showing the haw. The lips are pendulous. Ears very long, rather fine and well folded. Chest very deep, back broad and strong. The stern is fine but not too long and carried well up. Coat short and hard on the body, soft and silky on the skull and ears.
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FRANCHE-COMTÉ
Color: White with yellow, orange or red patches.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 54 lbs.
A dog of medium size and symmetrically built. The head is fine and of fair length with domed skull and the occipital bone slightly developed. Eyes of medium size, bright and brown in color. Ears are set on low, of medium length, thin and soft. He is rather short in the neck, chest deep, ribs not too rounded, legs well boned and muscular. His stern is set on high, rather short, and tapers to a fine point. The coat is smooth, fine and glossy.
ARTOIS
Color: White with yellow or red patches, tri-color with black saddle.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 50 lbs.
A strong and well-built dog of medium size. Rather long skull, with the stop not too deep. The eyes are full, dark yellow or light brown in color. The ears are broad, very long and set on low. Body not too long, neck rather short, back strong and straight. His legs are not too long and are straight and strong. The stern is strong and carried upwards. The coat is short and not too silky.
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VIRELADE
Color: White with large black patches and light tan spots.
Height: About 29 in.
Weight: About 62 lbs.
A dog of great size, yet strong and light and rather long in the body. The head is fine rather than heavy; occipital bone well developed, and has pendulous lips. The eyes are brown in color and the ears long and fine. He is strong, straight and well boned in the legs. The stern is long and carried hound-like, and he is short in coat.
GRIS DE SAINT-LOUIS
Color: Grizzle on the back, red brindled with the legs of a hare color, or the back rather black and the legs tinted with red.
Height: 23 in.
Weight: 55 lbs.
This is a dog of good size, rather high on the legs, strong and symmetrically built. The long, well developed head has a broad skull, slightly rounded and stop well defined. The muzzle is of medium length, square and strong. His bright and intelligent eyes are dark brown in color. The ears are set well back on the head, are long, thin, and nicely folded. Neck not too long and very muscular. He is strong and broad in back with a deep and capacious chest. Legs straight, long and well boned. The stern is thick and well covered with hair and carried very curved. The coat is hard and wiry.
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