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History

The Porcelaine is thought to be a descendant of the English Harrier, together with several other European hounds. There have been records of the breed in France since 1845 and in Switzerland since 1880. The breed disappeared after the French Revolution but has been redeveloped since.

Average Life Span

When considering a dog, please realise that you are taking it on for its lifetime. The average life span is 12 – 14 years. 

Temperament

The Porcelaine is a hunting dog with a strong prey drive, which means he requires careful attention and handling. He is never shy or timid and always eager for attention and a pat or hug. He is very fond of his owners, family, friends and children and loves to take part in all family activities. He excels as a house et and is easily crate trained and housebroken. His temperament makes him an excellent candidate for medical therapy, medical alert, medical service and search and rescue.

Appearance

The Porcelaine is a medium sized, French scent hound. He is elegant, energetic and an excellent hunter. He is very white in colour, with roundish, orange spots, often with characteristic orange ticking on the ears. He is proud, graceful, and cat-like with a stunning appearance. He is athletic, well-muscled, not heavy, and his coat is shiny, thin and close lying.

Size /Height: Males: 55 - 58cms.  Females: 53 - 56cms.

Maintenance

A regular weekly groom along with an occasional bath will keep the Porcelaine looking his best. Nails should be trimmed regularly, ears checked and teeth cleaned to maintain excellent health.

The Porcelaine will require daily exercise and stimulation, together with human contact.

As with all hounds, early socialisation and consistent training will lead to the Porcelaine developing into a valued family member as an adult.

 

Health

All breeds have individual health issues. When speaking to breeders it is recommended you enquire about breed health and what health testing the breeder does. The Porcelaine is a relatively healthy breed overall.

 

Suitability


The Porcelaine is an active dog who will thrive with daily exercise and attention, together with consistent training. Thus, he will suit family life and being with energetic, active people. He may not be so suited to apartment life. Whilst quiet in the home, he does possess a very beautiful, melodious baying call.

In Conclusion


Now you know a little more about this breed. If you have decided this is the dog for you and wish to investigate further, please contact the Breed Club or DOGS NSW. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog events where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the breed and its needs. With any breed of dog, it is important to research and determine suitability for your lifestyle before committing to a puppy which will be a part of your family for many years to come.

Whilst many breeds are recommended for families, it is imperative that when children are with dogs they are supervised at all times. Basic obedience training is a vital part of dog ownership.

Link to Dogs Australia Breed Standard: https://dogsaustralia.org.au/members/breeds/breed-standards/Porcelaine

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 14 Mar 2024)

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Breed Standard - Porcelaine

A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

Hunting dog for small game ( driving game to waiting guns ), very distinguished, very French looking and showing top quality in all details of its structure.

Physical Standards

Head and Skull HEAD: Must be very typical, lean and finely sculptured; rather long altogether.CRANIAL REGION:Skull: Wide at the top between the leathers, occipital protuberance rounded. The forehead is flat, with a median furrow not too much marked.Stop: Marked, without exaggeration.FACIAL REGION:Nose: Well developed and very black. Nostrils well open.Muzzle: Of good length, neither square nor pointed; the nasal bridge, at first straight, ends very slightly arched.Lips: The upper lip covers the lower without being drooping or thick. Mucous membranes black.
Eyes Normally developed, dark in appearance, well sheltered under the superciliary arches. Expression intelligent and sweet.
Ears Leather thin, well curled inwards, ending rather in a point, reaching the end of the muzzle. Set on narrow, never above the line of the eye.
Neck Fairly long, light, showing a little dewlap of tense and lean appearance.
Forequarters FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs fairly long, lean but not too fine; straight and parallel; tendons well attached.Shoulder: Constructed for gallop, long, well sloping, well muscled without being heavy.
Body Back: Withers well prominent, back broad and straight.Loins: Wide, very muscular, well coupled, not excessive in length.Croup: Slightly slanting; haunches placed well apart and slightly prominent.Chest: Average width, but deep.Ribs: Corresponding to the chest described above, rather long without being flat.Underline and belly: Flank slightly tucked up, but full.
Hindquarters HINDQUARTERSThigh: Well descending; muscles very apparent and clean; of moderately strong development.Hock: Strong and well let down, normally angulated.
Feet Forefeet: Typical for a French hound, with rather elongated and fine but tight toes; pads hard and tough.Hind feet: Typical for a French hound, with rather elongated and fine but tight toes; pads hard and tough.
Tail Well attached, fairly strong at the root, thinning at the tip, of average length. Without any longer and coarser, slightly off- standing hairs (like ears of grain). Carried slightly curved.
Gait/Movement Lively and gay; gallop light and tireless.
Coat Hair: Smooth, thin, close lying and shining; without bare patches.
Colour Very white, with roundish orange spots, never extended to a mantle. These spots usually superimpose other black pigmented spots of the skin. Orange ticking on the ears is highly characteristic of the breed.
Size Height: For dogs   between  55 and 58 cm (22 to 23,5 inches)For bitches between  53 and 56 cm (21,5 to 22,5 inches)

Faults

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:• Aggressive or overly shy.• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities.• Lack of type.• Eyes or nose light; excessive lack of pigment.• Tail furnished with some longer and coarser, slightly off-standing hairs (like ears of grain).• Coat harsh and thick.• Orange mantle.• Orange spots too bright, tending to mahogany, greyish or mingled with black hairs. Distinct orange spots but too pale, and even the absence of spots is not sought after but are not considered as an eliminatory fault.• Excess or lack of height at withers. An exception may be made for males which, excelling in their quality and therefore capable of being used at stud, reach the maximum height of 60 cm (24 inches).• Any fault affecting the utilization of the dog, as rickets, lack of a correct stance, insufficient reach of the movement.

Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

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