Discover Everything About Porcelaine
Learn about the breed characteristics, health, history, and find trusted breeders
At a glance
Porcelaine overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Health grade
Relative to other breeds
The Porcelaine is a very primitive and robust French scenthound breed with a refreshingly low genetic disease burden. Nevertheless, buyers should look out for hip dysplasia (HD), which can occur in dogs of this size, as well as a susceptibility to ear infections due to their long, hanging ears. The risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) should also be kept in mind, as is the case with many larger hunting breeds.
Lifespan
12–13 yrs
Height
53–58 cm
Weight
25–32 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,500 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short, smooth, dense
- Origin: France
Typical coat colors
- White
- sometimes with orange spots
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Porcelaine, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Is the Porcelaine right for you?
The Porcelaine is an elegant, gentle, yet tireless pack hound in the forest—bred to track scents with endurance and vocalize while on the trail. His delicate appearance completely belies the fact that he is a tough, passionate scenthound.
Perfect for you if:
- You enjoy intensive scent work, tracking, or mantrailing—a simple walk will never be enough to tire out this scenthound.
- You ideally already have a confident dog, as this classic pack hound truly thrives when in the company of other dogs.
- You live in a rural area and have a securely fenced garden where he can move freely between his outings.
- You provide gentle, patient leadership, as he is sensitive to harshness but will immediately follow his own hunting instincts if you are inconsistent.
Less ideal if:
- You expect him to come when called while on a fresh scent—he has been selectively bred for centuries to stick to the trail and hunt vocally.
- You need to leave him alone for several hours on weekdays, which causes massive stress for the operating system of a highly social pack hound.
- You are looking for a dog that maintains constant eye contact during walks instead of completely immersing himself in his world of scents.
The real vibes check
At home, the Porcelaine curls up on the sofa like a fragile, gentle stuffed animal—but as soon as he catches a scent in the forest, he turns into an unstoppable machine. You aren't buying a classic companion dog, but a highly specialized hunter in a tailored suit. If you share and channel his passion for the trail, you will get an incredibly loyal companion; if not, you will be living with a frustrated escape artist.
Breed Profile
The Porcelaine, also known as the "Chien de Franche-Comt", is a proud and elegant dog with a remarkable white color that gave it its name - the porcelain white. It belongs to FCI Group 6, running and bloodhounds. Its stature is athletic and well proportioned, making it an efficient and persistent working dog. Its ears are medium sized and drooping, and its eyes have a friendly and intelligent expression. The Porcelaine has a short, smooth and dense coat that protects him from the elements. There are no distinctions between performance and show lines in this breed, all Porcelaines are of the same standard.
| Height | 53 - 56 cm (Female), 55 - 58 cm (Male) |
| Weight | 25 - 28 kg (Female), 28 - 32 kg (Male) |
| Life Expectancy | 12 - 13 years |
| Character | Energetic, Friendly, Alert |
| Coat | Short, smooth, dense |
| Coat Color | White, sometimes with orange spots |
| Price | 1500 - 2500 € |
History
The breed originally comes from France and is probably one of the oldest French hound breeds. Its ancestors are believed to have existed in ancient times and were known for their ability to track game by scent. During the French Revolution the breed was almost wiped out, but thanks to the efforts of some dedicated breeders in the Franche-Comt region, the Porcelaine was revived. The breed was officially recognized by the FCI in 1971.
Bred to hunt rabbits and other small game, the Porcelaine is known for its elegant appearance and fine nose.
France
1700
Character & Temperament
The Porcelaine is known for his energy and enthusiasm, especially when it comes to his work. He is a passionate and tireless hunter, characterized by his ability to run long distances while maintaining a constant speed. His strong sense of smell and his ability to work both alone and in a pack make him an excellent hunting dog for various types of game, especially rabbits and deer. Despite his energy and willingness to work, the Porcelaine is a calm and balanced dog at home. He is friendly and sociable, both towards people and other dogs, and he greatly values the company of his family. The Porcelaine can adapt well to life in an active family that offers him plenty of exercise and activity. But be careful, the Porcelaine is also a very alert dog. His strong sense of territory and his distrust of strangers make him an effective guard dog. However, this can also mean that he has a tendency to bark, especially when he is left alone or when he feels bored. Like most hunting dogs, the Porcelaine has a strong hunting instinct. This can cause problems if he lives in an area where there are many small animals or if he is not properly trained to resist his instincts. Therefore, it is important that you socialize him from an early age and teach him to listen to your commands, especially when he is outside. The Porcelaine is an intelligent and eager-to-learn animal that quickly learns new commands and enjoys being challenged. He values positive reinforcement and is willing to work hard to accomplish his tasks. This also makes him a good candidate for various dog sports, such as agility or obedience. But although the Porcelaine is an active and energetic dog, he is also able to relax and enjoy quiet moments. He enjoys being part of family activities and likes to be included in everything that happens. But that doesn't mean that he likes to be left alone - on the contrary, the Porcelaine needs a lot of company and doesn't like being alone for long periods of time. All in all, the Porcelaine is a versatile and adaptable dog that can be happy in both the city and the country as long as it gets enough exercise and mental stimulation. With his friendly and balanced nature and his love of work, he is a great companion for active families and dog sports lovers.
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Noticeable drive — needs attention around small animals. | Moderate |
Fun Fact!
The Porcelaine is so named because its shiny, white fur is reminiscent of fine porcelain!
What Awaits You
The Porcelaine is elegant, energetic and a passionate hunter; It is used for small game and drives it to the waiting guns. He is very affectionate towards his owners, family, friends and children and enjoys participating in all family activities. He makes an excellent pet and is easily housetrained and housetrained.
Housing & Care
Porcelaines are high-energy dogs that require plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Therefore, they are better suited to living in a house with a large, safe garden than an apartment in the city. They love being outside and will take any opportunity to run and play. Porcelaines are friendly and social dogs that get along well with children. They are gentle and patient and can make a great playmate for older children. However, with younger children, a supervisor should always be present to ensure that neither the child nor the dog is playing too rough. As for other pets, the Porcelaine can live with cats and other dogs provided he is properly socialized and trained. However, you should keep in mind that he has a strong hunting instinct, which can be a problem with small pets.
| Family Friendly Loves family life and thrives in a group. | Family-oriented |
| Child Friendly Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride. | Patient with children |
| Dog Friendly Usually gets on fine with other dogs. | Generally tolerant |
| City Friendly City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation. | Manageable in cities |
Owning a dog is not only a privilege, but also a responsibility. If you want to bring a dog into your life, you must be aware of the commitment that dog ownership entails!!
Training & Education
Porcelaines are intelligent dogs with a high ability to learn. They are obedient and want to please their owner, which makes training easier. However, their hunting instinct can be challenging. They should learn from the start that they are not allowed to chase every animal they see. Early and consistent socialization and education are therefore very important. Porcelaines can enjoy various dog sports such as agility, obedience or search games. They are also excellent sniffer dogs and can be used in rescue or tracking. However, they should not be overwhelmed. Although they are eager to work, they also need rest periods and should not be subjected to long-term high demands. Porcelaines can tend to be "ball junkies." to become. It is therefore important to play with the ball in a controlled manner and to offer alternatives. A balanced training that also includes exercises for impulse control and frustration tolerance is therefore essential.
Nutrition & Care
The Porcelaine's diet should be balanced and high quality. It is important to choose a diet that is tailored to the dog's age, weight, activity level and health status. The Porcelaine is an active dog and therefore requires an adequate amount of proteins and carbohydrates to meet its energy needs. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for his skin and coat health. Caring for the Porcelaine's coat is relatively easy. Since he doesn't have an undercoat, he doesn't shed heavily. Its coat is short and dense and should be brushed regularly to remove dead hair and maintain skin health support financially. A weekly brushing is usually enough to keep the coat clean and shiny. Only bathe the Porcelaine when he is really dirty to preserve the natural oils in his skin and fur. The Porcelaine is well adapted to the climate in Germany thanks to its short coat. However, he should wear a coat in extremely cold temperatures as he does not have a thick undercoat to keep him warm.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Has its own ideas and will test limits. | Strong-willed |
This information is currently being reviewed by experts. If you discover an error, please send an email to info@honestdog.de!!
Health
Robust
Health grade
The Porcelaine is a very primitive and robust French scenthound breed with a refreshingly low genetic disease burden. Nevertheless, buyers should look out for hip dysplasia (HD), which can occur in dogs of this size, as well as a susceptibility to ear infections due to their long, hanging ears. The risk of gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) should also be kept in mind, as is the case with many larger hunting breeds.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-generated by our veterinary-genetics model.
In daily life this can mean
You should ensure the puppy is raised in a way that is gentle on the joints to protect his musculoskeletal system, and check for perfect hearing early on.
The breeder's role
Reputable breeders have the parents' hearing, joints, eyes, and heart tested and pay special attention to diverse bloodlines due to the rarity of the breed.
No Health Tests Available
No specific health tests are currently available for this breed.
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Frequently asked questions about the Porcelaine
Is a Porcelaine the right dog for me?
The Porcelaine is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Porcelaine live?
The average life expectancy of a Porcelaine is 12-13 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Porcelaine need?
Porcelaine grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Porcelaine good for families with children?
The Porcelaine can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
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