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Breed Characteristics
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Porcelaine
| Other Names | Chien de Franche-Comté |
| Country of Origin | France |
| Weight | 55 - 62 lbs. (25 - 27.9 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | Males: 22 - 23 in. (56 - 58½ cm) Females: 21 - 22 in. (53½ - 56 cm) |
| Coat | The fur is incredibly short and very fine. |
| Colour | The Porcelaine gets its name from its shiny coat, said to make it resemble a porcelain statuette. The fur is white, sometimes with orange spots, often on the ears. The skin should be white with black mottling that is visible through the white coat. |
| Litter Size | 3 - 6 puppies |
| Life Span | 11 - 14 years |
| Origin & History | The Porcelaine is thought to be a descendant of the English Harrier, some of the smaller Laufhounds of Switzerland, and the now-extinct Montaimboeuf. There have been records of the breed in France since 1845 and in Switzerland since 1880. The breed actually disappeared after the French Revolution (1789–1799) but has been reconstructed. Breeders in the UK are attempting to have The Porcelaine accepted as a recognized breed. As of 2009 there have been 14 puppies bred in the UK. |
| Personality | The Porcelaine is an energetic and fierce hunter, but gentle at home and easy to handle. It is good with other dogs and children. This friendly hound is vigorous and tireless with a wonderful sense of smell and a musical voice. It is a hound used for hunting in packs for all types of wild game. Because these dogs hunt together without orders from their owner, they have developed into very independent dogs which are brave and very sociable. This is one of the few French hunting dogs that has overcome the confines of its native land and aroused interest abroad. Given the proper activities and exercise, this is an ideal fellow for the home. Without enough mental and/or physical exercise this dog can become high-strung and/or distractible. If it senses its owners are not as strong minded as itself, it will become a bit willful as it will believe it needs to be the leader of the relationship. It will bark at suspicious noises, but it is not a watchdog. Hunting instincts develop early. Puppies, even at eight weeks old, often display pointing behavior. Proper human to canine communication is essential. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | The glossy white coat is easy to care for. |
| Exercise | This breed needs a lot of exercise, including a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as instinct tells a dog the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. |
| Other Considerations | The Porcelaine is not recommended for apartment life. The Porcelaine is a hunting dog usually used to hunt hare, roe deer, and in the north wild boar. The Porcelaines hunt in packs. Being a scent hound, it has a very good sense of smell with which it hunts. The Porcelaine is a fierce hunting dog that has been bred to hunt independently without many orders from the owner. The Porcelaine is also being bred in small numbers in Italy and used to hunt wild boar, however Italian indigenous hounds continue to be the preferred choice of local hunters. |
