Porcelaine
Also known as Chien de Franche-Comté
- Height at the withers
- 53 to 58 cm
- Weight
- 25 to 28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12 to 14 years
- Daily activity
- 90 minutes
- Origin
- France
- FCI group
- 6 · Scent hounds
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- a family with children
Less suited to
- an apartment: it needs space
- a first dog: it needs an experienced owner
- long absences: it struggles when left alone
- a home with cats
Overview
A medium-sized scent hound, refined and distinguished, the Porcelaine owes its name (French for “porcelain”) to its dazzling white coat, as glossy as glazed earthenware, dotted with rounded orange spots, especially on the ears. Gentle, sensitive and endearing with people, in the field it is a passionate specialist of hare and roe deer, with a fine nose and a melodious voice. It is first and foremost a hunting dog, and it copes poorly with inactivity and confinement.
History and origins
Considered one of the oldest French scent hounds, the Porcelaine is believed to descend from the Montaimbœuf and old Swiss hounds, and it survived in the border regions between Franche-Comté and Switzerland. It vanished from France during the Revolution and was rebuilt there in the 19th century from dogs kept in Switzerland, with packs recorded as early as 1845. Its FCI standard (no. 30) dates from 1964. It remains one of the French scent hounds most prized by hunters, with 384 registrations with the French Kennel Club (LOF) in 2025.
Health
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The most common health problems in the breed:
- Ear infections (long, drooping ears)
- Hip dysplasia
- Skin irritation (very short coat)
- Hunting injuries (cuts, grass awns)
Choose a breeder who has the parents health-screened for this breed, and ask to see the results.
Coat and care
Short, smooth coat. Low shedding, minimal coat care. Coat colors: white with rounded orange spots, orange flecks on the ears.
All ratings
Rated from 1 to 5, comparable across breeds. Green marks a strength for most households, orange something to plan for.
Lifestyle
- Energy
- High, 4 out of 5
- Apartment
- Impossible, 1 out of 5
- Home alone
- Poorly, 2 out of 5
Family and sociability
- With children
- Good, 4 out of 5
- With other dogs
- Excellent, 5 out of 5
- With cats
- Caution, 2 out of 5
- With strangers
- Open, 4 out of 5
Training and temperament
- Ease of training
- Hard, 2 out of 5
- For a first-time owner
- Poor fit, 2 out of 5
- Guarding instinct
- None, 1 out of 5
- Prey drive
- Very strong, 5 out of 5
- Tendency to roam
- Very high, 5 out of 5
Care and neighbors
- Coat care
- Minimal, 1 out of 5
- Shedding
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Drooling
- Never, 1 out of 5
- Barking
- Frequent, 4 out of 5
Climate and health
- Heat tolerance
- Average, 3 out of 5
- Cold tolerance
- Low, 2 out of 5
- Hardiness
- Good, 4 out of 5
In our lists
Porcelaine FAQ
How big does the Porcelaine get?
The Porcelaine stands 53 to 58 cm at the withers and weighs 25 to 28 kg. It is a medium-sized dog.
Does the Porcelaine shed a lot?
It sheds little and its coat needs minimal care.
Can the Porcelaine live in an apartment?
It is not recommended: it needs space, ideally a house with a yard. Mind the neighbors: it barks readily.
How much exercise does the Porcelaine need each day?
Allow about 90 minutes of activity a day: its energy is high. Add games and training exercises to keep its mind busy too.
Is the Porcelaine good with children?
Yes, it gets along well with children who respect it. Never leave a young child alone with a dog, whatever the breed.
How long does the Porcelaine live?
Life expectancy is 12 to 14 years, and the breed is hardy. The main health problems to watch for are ear infections and hip dysplasia.
