Epagneul Pont-Audemer

History

Developed in the nineteenth century, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel is believed to be descended from an old spaniel breed native to Pont-Audemer, in the Eure region of France, crossed with the Irish Water Spaniel. The Picardy Spaniel and the Barbet may also have contributed to the breed. The Pont-Audemer Spaniel has been represented by the Picardy Spaniel Club since 1980. Already fairly rare by the early twentieth century, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel is still quite limited in numberTough, hardy, and vigorous, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel is remarkably resistant to cold and bad weather. A flusher, he plows through thickets, but water is his element. He was bred to hunt waterfowl, including duck. Skilled at tracking a wide variety of game, he is a firm pointer and a perfect retriever. Affectionate, gentle with children, and very attached to his owner, he makes a good pet. His training need not be too rigorous.He can adapt to city life but needs lots of exercise. He also requires weekly brushing.Hunting dog. Companion dog.

GENERAL APPEARANCE    Stocky and vigorous dog. HEADSkull *  Round and developed at the top, occipital crest prominent; the parietals are rather round.  The forehead rising towards the topknot which must be very curly and well placed on the top of the skull, leaving the forehead bare.   Stop * Forming a weak angle, although marked.

COAT * Curly and slightly rough.
Faults  * Too flat, too curly, top knot not curly or falling as in the Poodle; too hard or too fine.

FACIAL REGION  Nose * Brown, protruding perceptibly above the front of the lips, rather pointed.

Muzzle * Long, arched in the middle part.

Lips * Fine and slightly let down, making the muzzle rather pointed.

Eyes *  Dark amber or hazel, rather small, well set into the socket; kind and frank expression.

NECK    A little arched, neat, well muscled, joining finely to the head and solidly to the shoulders.

BODY Back  * Straight or slightly convex.

Loin * Quite short, broad, solid, muscular.

Croup * Very slightly oblique.

Chest * Deep, broad, going down fully to level of the elbow; ribs ong and protruding, the last rib close to the hip.

Flanks * Flat and a little raised.

TAIL  Set almost at the level of the loin line, carried quite straight, generally docked to one third of its length; thick at the base, well feathered with curly hair which should surround the tail completely.  When the tail is not docked, it must be of medium length, carried a little curved.

LIMBS * The legs must be rather short, the dog being rather low to the ground, yet without falling into the Cocker type.

HINDQUARTERS Haunch : Prominent and reaching the height of the back.

Thighs * Straight, well let down, muscular, fleshy, with culottes.  Point of buttock prominent.

Hock joint * Broad and straight, without deviation either in or out.

Hocks * Rather short, furnished especially at the back with a curly fringe.  Dewclaws to be avoided.

  FEET * Round, set true, furnished with long, curly hairs between the toes.

FOREQUARTERS Shoulders * Strong, long, sloping, close at the point where they join the spinal column.

Upper arm * Strong and muscled.

COLOUR Brown, brown and preferably streaky grey, with dead leaf glints.
Faults * Black or black and white, presence of tan markings.

ENSEMBLE * Stocky and vigorous dog.

SIZE * 52 - 58 cm.

RUMP Very slightly oblique.
Faults * Falling away (steep), too straight.

FLANKS * Flat and a little raised.
Faults * Too fleshy, too let down.

BACK * Straight or slightly convex.
Faults * Long, narrow or hollow.

LOIN * Quite short, broad, solid, muscular.
Faults * Long, narrow or flat.

HAUNCH * Prominent and reaching the height of the back.
Faults * Low.

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.

Note **  Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. 

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