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Porcelaine

History

Believed to be the oldest of the French scenthounds, the Porcelaine is also known as the Chien de Franche-Comté, after a former French region bordering Switzerland. Following the French Revolution (1789-1799) examples of the Porcelaine were found at the Franco-Swiss border, leading to confusion over whether it is of French or Swiss origin. However, the breed is recognized as French, and is thought to descend from the English Harrier, the now extinct Montaimboeuf, as well as some smaller Laufhunds of Switzerland. The breed has been recorded in France since 1845 and in Switzerland since 1880, when the first hunting packs were established. At one point after the French Revolution, the breed actually disappeared but was "reconstructed" and now stands on solid ground. The Porcelaine is mainly used for hunting hare and roe deer in packs and is found mostly in France. They are not know outside France, Switzerland, and Italy. They also hunt wild boar (in the north).
The Porcelaine, one of the oldest French hunting breeds, is believed to be the descendent of the Chien Blanc du Roy or a white variety of the Saint Hubert (the Saint Hubert Blanc de Lorraine). Porcelaines were kept at the monasteries in Cluny and Luxeuil, and by the Choiseul family in eastern France. Crosses were made with the Somerset Grey Harrier, the Gascon Saintongeois, and the Billy. The Porcelaine’s bright white, glossy coat earned him his name. The Porcelaine Club, founded in 1971, helped revive this elegant 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. The Porcelaine, one of the oldest French hunting breeds, is believed to be the descendent of the Chien Blanc du Roy or a white variety of the Saint Hubert (the Saint Hubert Blanc de Lorraine). Porcelaines were kept at the monasteries in Cluny and Luxeuil, and by the Choiseul family in eastern France. Crosses were made with the Somerset Grey Harrier, the Gascon Saintongeois, and the Billy. The Porcelaine’s bright white, glossy coat earned him his name. The Porcelaine Club, founded in 1971, helped revive this elegant breed. 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.

NECK * Fairly long, light, showing a little dewlap of tense and lean appearance.

TAIL * Well attached, fairly strong at the root, thinning at the tip, of average length. Without any longer and coarser, slightly offstanding hairs ( like ears of grain ). Carried slightly curved.

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.

Leathers * 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.

BODY Back * Withers well prominent, back broad and straight.

Loin * 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.

Flank * Slightly tucked up, but full.

LIMBS Forequarters * Forelegs fairly long, lean but not too fine; straight and parallel; tendons well attached.

Shoulders * Constructed for gallop, long, well sloping, well muscled without being heavy.

Feet * Typical for a French hound, with rather elongated and fine but tight toes; pads hard and tough.

Hindquarters * Thighs : Well descending; muscles very apparent and clean; of moderately strong development.

Hocks * Strong and well let down, normally angulated.

GAIT/MOVEMENT Lively and gay; gallop light and tireless.

SKIN * Fine and supple, marbled with numerous black spots.

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.

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. Lack of type. Eyes or nose light; excessive lack of pigment. Tail furnished with some longer and coarser, slightly offstanding 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 are not sought after, but are not considered as a eliminatory fault. Excess or lack of height at withers. An exeption 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.

Faults ** Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fauld and the seriousness with which the fauld should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

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