When compiling the lists and information for the dogs of France their list in many ways is daunting to look at. Unlike Germany and the United Kingdom, who also have long lists of dogs hailing from their homelands, many of the French breeds are not known outside of France, or at best, outside of Europe. Information on some of the breeds is limited, or next to non-existent. There are over fifty breeds of dog from France and most of them were developed and still used for hunting.
Many of the French hunting dogs are scenthounds, most of them used in packs to hunt prey such as fox. Longer legged scenthounds are commonly used when the hunter is on horseback, while the shorter legged dogs are easier to follow if one is on foot. The popular Basset Hound is a scenthound that originated in Great Britain, but unknown to most outside of France there are actually six different Basset breeds. The other five are Frenc, the Basset artesian normand, Basset bleu de Gascogne, Basset fauve de Bretagne, Grand Basset griffon vendeen, and Petit Basset griffon vendeen. Other types of French hunting dogs include many spaniels and pointers. These breeds differ in area of origin throughout France, as well as size and color.
Aside from the hunting breeds there are other French dogs, such as the toy breeds, which include the Bichon Frise, Papillion, and Lowchen. There are several herding breeds from France as well, including the Pyrenean Sheepdog and Beauceron.
France’s national dog, the Poodle, while developed there, most likely originated in Germany.
Many of the French hunting dogs are scenthounds, most of them used in packs to hunt prey such as fox. Longer legged scenthounds are commonly used when the hunter is on horseback, while the shorter legged dogs are easier to follow if one is on foot. The popular Basset Hound is a scenthound that originated in Great Britain, but unknown to most outside of France there are actually six different Basset breeds. The other five are Frenc, the Basset artesian normand, Basset bleu de Gascogne, Basset fauve de Bretagne, Grand Basset griffon vendeen, and Petit Basset griffon vendeen. Other types of French hunting dogs include many spaniels and pointers. These breeds differ in area of origin throughout France, as well as size and color.
Aside from the hunting breeds there are other French dogs, such as the toy breeds, which include the Bichon Frise, Papillion, and Lowchen. There are several herding breeds from France as well, including the Pyrenean Sheepdog and Beauceron.
France’s national dog, the Poodle, while developed there, most likely originated in Germany.
