France is known for its rich history, delicious food, beautiful art and excellent fashion. But did you know there are some great dog breeds that came from France as well? Here we’ve compiled a list of the most popular French dogs.
#1 – Barbet
The Barbet is a water retrieving dog and is a relatively rare breed. The Barbet is a very old breed that is thought to be the ancestor of many water retrieving dogs we see today. They’re intelligent dogs that make excellent family companions.
#2 – Basset Hound
The Basset Hound is a short-legged scenthound used for hunting rabbits and hare. The Basset Hound is an old breed with the first reference to them being in 1585. An 1879 woodcut of a Basset shows they’ve changed very little. They are gentle-natured, friendly dogs that do well with children.
#3 – Beauceron
The Beauceron is a French guard dog and herding dog most notable for it’s double dewclaws on its hind legs. They are now excellent working dogs in more modern venues such as obedience and agility. It’s thought that the Beauceron was used in the creation of the Doberman Pinscher.
#4 – Berger Picard
The Berger Picard, or Picardy Shepherd, is a herding dog that nearly became extinct after both World Wars, making it still a rare breed today. They are intelligent, energetic and friendly dogs that do well in active households.
#5 – Bloodhound
The origin of the Bloodhound is up for debate and many think various countries took part in its development, including France. It is a large scenthound very commonly used to track missing people in the wilderness, even searching across water. They are gentle dogs and make great family companions.
#6 – Briard
The Briard is a herding dog from France first appearing in writing in the 14th century. They were typically used to herd and guard flocks of sheep, moving them through large farms where row crops were grown. They are loyal dogs that are aloof with strangers, but make great companions if well socialized.
#7 – Brittany
The Brittany is a gundog from France that is called a spaniel but works more like a pointe or setter. It has been used in the province of Brittany since the 17th century. They are very active dogs with a sweet demeanor, making them excellent family companions.
#8 – Dogue de Bordeaux
The Dogue de Bordeaux is the French Mastiff and is one of the most ancient dog breeds in France. It was used for cart pulling and hauling and guarding castles and livestock. They are large, powerful dogs but have fairly soft temperaments and make great family companions.
#9 – French Bulldog
The French Bulldog was developed in France by breeding bulldogs from England to French ratting dogs. The result is the fun-loving, sweet-tempered dog we have today. They are relatively active for a bulldog breed and make excellent family companions.
#10 – French Spaniel
The French Spaniel are descended from hunting dogs in the 14th century, being developed mostly in France but also Canada. They are very active and intelligent dogs that are eager to please and make great companions. Because they are still relatively rare outside their home country, French Spaniels are a fairly healthy breed.
#11 – Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
Like the Basset hound, the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, or GBGV, was developed from larger hounds into a shorter dog that was more suitable for hunting rabbits and hare. While they’re still used for hunting today, they make great family companions and crave the attention of their owners and other animals in the home.
#12 – Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees, or Pyrenees Mountain Dog, is a large livestock guardian dog developed in the Pyrenean Mountains in France. They are gentle and affectionate dogs that are great with children, but have a naturally protective nature due to their guarding history.
#13 – Papillon
The Papillon is named so because of its ears. Papillon is the French word for butterfly and the ears of the breed fall into a butterfly shape. They are small but active dogs that excel in sports such as agility and obedience.
#14 – Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen
The Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen, or PBVG, is similar to the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen and the Basset Hound but smaller in stature. Also bred for hunting, they are more commonly found as family companions now; something they excel at.
#15 – Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean Shepherd is a small herding dog from the Pyrenees Mountains. While the Great Pyrenees was used as the flock guardian, the Pyrenean Shepherd would move the flock around and hold it in place as it grazed. The breed is still relatively rare outside of France, but has been found to do well in sports like obedience and agility.
Toledo, United States.
