Porcelaine
An elegant, glossy-white French hound with orange spots, gentle with people and passionate about scent.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 55–58 cm · Females 53–56 cm
- Weight
- 25–28 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–13 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- White, Orange
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent
- Country of origin
- France
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 30 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 5/5 – Very high |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 1/5 – Very low |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an elegant, easy-care hound
- enjoy long country walks
- already keep a friendly dog
Think twice if you …
- live in a cold flat without much exercise space
- need a quiet dog
- keep cats or small pets
Care
Temperament
Gentle, affectionate and sociable, but energetic and determined on a trail.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour and a half of activity daily, including safe off-lead running; scent games and tracking are good outlets.
Grooming
The very short, fine coat needs only a quick weekly rub; check ears regularly.
Training
Sensitive to harshness; gentle, reward-based training works best, with patient work on recall.
Health
A generally healthy hound; ear infections and occasional hip dysplasia are reported. Hip screening is sensible, so ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Porcelaine is one of the oldest French scent hounds, developed near the French-Swiss border from old hound lines going back to before the Revolution. It almost disappeared after that period and was rebuilt in the 19th century, partly with help from Swiss hounds.
It is a refined, athletic dog with a fine, very short coat that shines like glazed china, with orange patches mainly on the ears. Indoors it is gentle and affectionate; outdoors it is a keen hunter of hare and roe deer with a clear, musical voice. It needs secure space and long daily outings.
Did you know?
The name comes from its fine, glossy white coat, which is said to look like porcelain.