Discover which dog breeds originated in France.
– The French Dog Breeds –
As a group, French dogs make up a surprisingly large bunch! We have picked the most most popular dog breeds from France, most with a long history. While there are other breeds we could have included, we wanted to concentrate of the most recognizable dogs, at first. We will be adding breeds to this page regularly.
But now, let’s look at the popular French dog breeds that made this page – there may be a few French dog breeds that you haven’t seen or heard of before!
French Dog Breeds
Barbet
Origins: France
Size: Medium to Large
Grooming: High
Training: Easy
Recognition: AKC: FSS, CKC: Sporting, FCI: Group 8, UKC: Gundog
The Barbet dog breed is also known as the French Water Dog. They are quite rare, the first one to arrive in the UK was in 2001. This is a medium size dog has a dense curly coat from head (including a beard) to toe. As a water dog they were used to locate, flush out and retrieve water birds. The breed was recognized by the UK Kennel Club in 2018, but are not well known in North America.
Basset Artesien Normand
Origins: France
Size: Medium
Grooming: Easy
Training: Average
Recognition: FCI: Group 6, UKC: Scenthound
Also Called Artesian Norman Basset or Norman Artesian Basset.
This breed was created in the 19th century by crossing a Basset d’Artois with a Basset Normand. They have an elegant, athletic build with a low body. They stand 12 to 14 inches at the withers. They have a dome-shaped head with long, fine ears. There is a short, fine coat with 2 or 3 colors.
This is a scent hound type of hunting dog, and is best suited to hunting rabbit and wild hare. This is a gentle dog that makes a very agreeable companion dog.
Basset Hound
Origins: France
Size:
Grooming:
Training:
Recognition:
The Basset Hound may just be one of the most placid, gentle dogs in the hound group, with a nose to scent only surpassed by the Bloodhound. A friend to all, but they need a tolerant owner who doesn’t mind a little drool, smell, and shedding.
This breed tends to be less reactive to their owners’ comments and more understanding of chaotic households. While this is great for large families and having guests over, it can make training a bit difficult.
Beauceron
Origins: France
Size: Large to Giant
Grooming: Easy
Training: Easy
Recognition: AKC (Herding), FCI (Group 1), KC (Pastoral), NZKC (Working), UKC (Herding)
Other Names: Berger de Beauce, Bas rouge, French Short haired Shepherd
The Beauceron dog breed comes from the short-haired variety of the French flatland sheepdogs that used to found throughout France. This is a well-built, muscular and solid large dog, looking a bit like a cross between a Rottweiler and a German Shepherd. This makes it sound ferocious and maybe aggressive, but in fact the Beauceron has an endearing and gentle personality. However, it does make a good guard dog.
Berger Picard
Origins: France
Size: Large
Grooming:
Training:
Recognition: AKC (Miscellaneous), CKC (Herding), FCI (Group 1), UKC (Herding) Also called Bacardi Shepherd, Berger de Picardy, Picardy Shepherd
This is a rare breed originating in northern France. There are only about 500 of these dogs in the United States, and 5000 worldwide. They were originally livestock guardian dogs, used for herding sheep in North France.
They tend to be suspicious of strangers, and need full socialization as puppies, even up to the age of 2 years. After that, they make good family dogs, and do well in an apartment setting providing they get enough exercise. This is a high energy breed.
Bloodhound
Origins: Western Europe
Size: Large to Giant
Grooming: Easy
Training: Time Consuming
Recognition: ANKC: Hound, CKC: Hound, NZKC (Hound)
Bloodhounds are medium sized dogs that are great for families. These dogs are social and affectionate with their owners, although their primary interest will always be fascinating smells.
The Bloodhound is famous for its incredible nose, which holds true to this day. These dogs will often be seen with their heads near to the ground, tracing the source of an exciting scent.
Blue Picardy Spaniel
Origins: France
Size: Medium
Grooming: Moderate
Training: Average
Recognition: FCI, CKC
Originally from the Picardy region of northern France.
The Blue Picardy Spaniel (or Épagneul Bleu de Picardie) is a breed of Spaniel originating in France, from the area of the Somme River, at the beginning of the 20th century. This breed was developed from Picardy Spaniels and English Setters. This is a quiet breed of dog that requires much exercise due to its stamina.
It is especially good with children. Similar to the Picardy Spaniel, it has a distinctive coloured coat. Recognised by only a handful of kennel associations, the breed is mainly known in France and Canada.
Braque du Bourbonnais
Origins: France
Size: Medium
Grooming: Easy
Training: Easy
Recognition: FCI, SCC
In English, the breed is called the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog. “Braque” is the french word for Pointer. He is kind and affectionate in the home and a serious, adaptable, intelligent hunter in the field. The Braque du Bourbonnais is a breed of gundog with a rustic appearance, sometimes born with a short tail, and with a coat speckled with liver or fawn colors.
In the United States, the Braque du Bourbonnais breed isn’t well-known, but these French pointers have a lot to offer the right family. The breed was almost lost between the 2 world wars, but has staged a major return since the 1980s.
Briard
Origins: France
Size: Large
Groom: Average – time consuming
Training: Average
Recognition: ANKC (Working), CKC (Herding), AKC (Herding), FCI (Group 1), KC (Pastoral), NZKC (Working), UKC (Herding)
Also called Berger de Brie, Chien Berger de Brie
According to the American Kennel Club, “French farmers developed Briards as two-in-one dogs: They are shepherd dogs renowned for their agility, and they are also tough, courageous flock guardians capable of running off sheep-stealing predators. The Briard is a close relative of the smooth-coated Beauceron, another French pasture breed known for its dual herding and guarding ability.”
Brittany
Origins: France
Size: Medium
Grooming: Average
Training: Easy
Recognition: CKC: Sporting, AKC (Sporting), ANKC (Gundog), FCI (Group 7), KC (Gundog), NZKC (Gundog), UKC (Gun Dog)
Also called American Brittany, Brittany Spaniel.
The Brittany dog breed is listed by the AKC under ‘Spaniel-Type breeds’, but in fact the word ‘Spaniel’ was dropped from the name in 1982, as American Brittany owners and breeders considered their dogs to behave more like Pointers when in the Field.
This breed is known for its gentle nature, and they are soft dogs, sometimes verging on being shy. They are also quite sensitive, and can be intimidated easily and accidently.
Dogue de Bordeaux (aka. French Mastiff)
Origins: France
Size: Large to Giant
Grooming: Easy
Training: Time Consuming
Recognition: , NZKC (Utility), AKC (Miscellaneous), FCI (Group 2), KC (Working), UKC (Guardian)
This massive breed of dog is loving and very loyal to their family. Although their very distant ancestors were bred for battle, and then hunting, this is not an aggressive nor edgy dog. They are generally calm and confident. But at 27+ inches tall and 110+ lbs, you need to be in charge, and recognize situations that may turn bad. This is the breed in the Tom Hanks film “Turner and Hooch”.
French Bulldog
Origins: England / France
Size: Small to Medium
Grooming: Minimal
Training: Time Consuming
Recognition: FCI Group 9, AKC Non-sporting, ANKC Non-Sporting, CKC Non-Sporting, KC (UK) Utility, NZKC Non-sporting, UKC Companion
Instantly recognizable from it’s large ears, the French Bulldog is one of the most popular French dog breeds. This is not a very vocal dog, and they bark infrequently, so they’re good apartment dogs and can manage in places of high population density. This makes them ideal dogs for people sensitive to high volumes as well.
However, they can become very protective of their owners, so they WILL bark at the presence of strangers or anyone unfamiliar.
French Spaniel (Epagneul Français)
Origins: France and Canada
Size: Medium to Large
Grooming: Easy
Training: Average
Recognition: FCI: Group 7, AKC: FSS, CKC: Sporting, UKC: Gundog
The French Spaniel has a friendly and outgoing personality and is well balanced and patient. It is not a naturally aggressive dog, is eager to please and thus can be trained easily. A dog of this breed will form a strong bond with its master, being typically a working dog. It has a high level of stamina and requires vigorous exercise. These make great family companions, but need lots of exercise.
Papillon
Origins: France
Size: Small
Grooming: Time Consuming
Training: Easy
Recognition: FCI: Group 9, AKC: Toy, ANKC: Toy, CKC: Toy, KC: Toy, NZKC: Toy, UKC: Companion
The Papillon is a small breed that is well known for its known for its affectionate and energetic personality. These dogs are always looking for something to do, so they make for playful company. They are very social and are excited when they get to meet new faces. These energetic and friendly dogs makes for a lively and fun pet.The Phalene,
which is similar in all respects except for the ear carriage, is recognized separately by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). However, in the U.S., the American Kennel Club groups both varieties together into one breed, and refers to the ‘Phalene Type’ of Papillon.
Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
Origins: France
Size: Small
Grooming: Moderate
Training: Easy
Recognition: AKC
One of the smallest of the French dog breeds, the shaggy haired, short legged Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a lively hound used for rabbit hunting. This breed is known for a happy-go-lucky attitude, and hardy nature.
They were bred to work in as a pack, so they enjoy company, and get on well with other dogs and kids. Roughly translated into English, the name is a description of the breed – Petit (small), Basset (low), Griffon (shaggy), Vendeen (from the Vende region of France).
Put it all together and you have a small hound, standing 13 to 15 inches at the shoulder, with short but strong legs and a rough tousled coat, bred to hunt rabbits on the rugged west coast of France.
Poodle
Also called Standard Poodle
Origins: Germany / France
Size: Small to Large
Grooming: Extensive
Training: Easy
Recognition: FCI: Group 9, AKC: Non-sporting, ANKC: Non-sporting, CKC: Sporting, KC: Utility, NZKC: Non-sporting, UKC: Gundog
We often think the poodle originated in France (thus the French Poodle), but no one really knows the exact origin of the breed. The French, however, called the breed, “Caniche,” meaning “duck dog.”
What is known is that the breed descended from either or all the now extinct French Water Dog, the Hungarian Water Hound or the Barbet. The name “poodle” likely came from the German word, Pudel meaning one who plays in the water. The Poodle is one of the most intelligent dogs. They make a great family dog.
Pyrenean Mountain Dog (Great Pyrenees or Pyrenean Shepherd)
Origins: France
Size: Large to Giant
Grooming: Time Consuming
Training: Average
Recognition: FCI: Group 2
From the French side of the Pyrenean Mountains, which separate France from Spain.
In North America this breed is known as the Great Pyrenees. In its home country, France, it is called the Chien de Montagne des Pyrénées or the Patou. This is a livestock guardian dog, widely used in the Pyrenees and the French Alps to protect sheep from wolves and bears.
French Dog Breeds
We hope you enjoyed our favorite dog breeds list of French Dog Breeds. This list is not 100% complete, as we have concentrated on the most well-known and most popular breeds of French origins.
Please let us know if you think we have omitted a breed that deserves to be here, by using the Contact Me link. Thank you!
