Porcelaine
The Porcelaine gets its name from its sleek, shiny white coat. Gentle, faithful, and friendly, it is a fantastic house pet and thrives in an active home. Originally a hunting dog, it is loyal and attached to its owner and craves companionship. It is also called the “Chien de Franche-Comte,” after a region on the France-Switzerland border.
Porcelaine Pictures





Quick Information
Other names | Chien de Franche-Comte, Briquets Francs Comtois |
Coat | Short and shiny |
Color | White with some orange spotting |
Breed type | Purebred |
Group | Hound |
Life expectancy | 12-13 years |
Size | Medium |
Height | Male – 22 – 23 inches Female – 21 – 22 inches |
Weight | 55 – 62 pounds |
Litter Size | 3-6 puppies |
Behavioral Characteristics | Energetic, elegant, friendly, graceful, and faithful |
Good with children | Yes |
Barking Tendency | Moderate; they have a musical baying bark |
Climate compatibility | Moderate; can adjust to different conditions |
Apartment compatibility | Low; needs plenty of outdoor exercise |
Do they shed | Moderate shedder |
Are they hypoallergenic | No |
Trainability | High |
How much do they cost | $1,200 – $1,500 |
Competitive Registration Qualification/Information | FCI, UKC, AKC, SCC |
Country | France |
History and Origin
Believed to be the oldest French scent hound, the Porcelaine is mentioned in records going as from the 1700s. It likely descended from the English Harrier, Laufhound, Talbot Hound, and the now-extinct Montaimboeuf in Savoy, Vaud, and the Abbeys of Luxiel and Cluny. The breed almost went extinct during the French Revolution, but breeders were able to save it by it mixing with other French scent hounds. These mixes further developed their strength and stamina to hunt wild boar in mountainous terrain. The Club du Porcelaine, founded in 1971, helps safeguard the moderate population in France and Italy. Smaller numbers are found scattered over England and the rest of Europe. It received recognition from the FCI in 1975, cementing its status as a purebred hunting dog.
These dogs likely came to America as a present from the King of France to President George Washington. Records suggest they entered in the 1800s via the port of New Orleans but got lost due to crossbreeding. They were again introduced in the U.S. in 2009; currently, there are three hundred pets in the U.S. and Canada.
Temperament and Personality
Elegant, graceful, and active, they are outgoing and always ready to receive affection. They get along great with children and other dogs, making them excellent family pets. However, their hunting instincts may cause aggression towards smaller animals, especially guinea pigs and hares. Despite being quiet indoors, their beautiful baying call alerts against suspicious activity, but Porcelaines don’t make good watchdogs. These dogs need a lot of outdoor play and exercise and are unsuitable for apartment dwellers. Their independence might make training challenging for the inexperienced. Still, a well-trained Porcelaine is attached to its owner and constantly wants attention and affection from them.
Care
Exercise
You must provide ample physical and mental exercise to avoid restlessness in your pet. Multiple daily walks and fenced playtime for an hour to an hour-and-a-half are recommended. Activities like hiking, swimming, retrieving balls, and Frisbees are good outlets for extra energy. Mentally stimulating indoor play is equally important, and games such as hide-and-seek, chasing a rolling ball, and learning tricks are brilliant choices. Also, dog sports like rally, obedience, and agility are great options to explore with your dog. Lastly, its calm and steady nature makes for an excellent medical therapy and service, search and rescue, and police public relations dog.
Grooming
Its short, thin coat requires little maintenance to stay healthy. Weekly brushing with a hound mitt is adequate for removing shedding and dead skin. Give it an occasional bath to maintain hygiene and check its ears for dirt or infection. Good outdoor exercise should ideally keep its nails at a manageable length, but you may need to trim them periodically. Lastly, regularly brush its teeth to prevent tartar build-up.
Health Concerns
A remarkably healthy breed, they suffer from a few health problems, such as GDV or bloat, hip dysplasia, and ear infections. Buying from a reputed breeder can help avoid these complications and ensure a long and healthy life.
Feeding
Your Porcelaine’s diet should be formulated, considering a large breed with high energy. It does well on high-quality dog food, either store-bought or homemade. Be careful to feed it dog-safe foods and avoid overfeeding. Always provide fresh, clean water. You should consult your veterinarian to properly account for age, weight, and activity level while formulating your pet’s meal plan.
Training
Despite their hunting pedigree, Porcelaines are relatively simple to train. They are bred to be independent hunting dogs and require committed training. A successfully trained dog will be a social and loving pet.
Socialization: As with most breeds, early socialization is vital to developing a gentle and calm temperament. Despite its high energy levels, housebreaking is pretty straightforward. Crate training is a brilliant tool for housetraining your pet. Discourage possessive behavior at the earliest. As its owner, you must establish yourself as the leader early to avoid stubbornness.
Leash: Their strong tracking instinct may make them chase after scents, so a fenced yard is necessary for outdoor play. Keep them leashed on walks and invest in a GPS tracker if you want to go off-leash.
Interesting Facts
- Porcelaines are currently part of the Foundation Stock Service of the AKC, added in 2017.
- They can display hunting instincts as early as eight weeks old.
FAQs
The correct pronunciation is “Pour-suh-lein.”