At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short, fine, smooth coat
Very short, fine hair that lies flat and has a glossy sheen. Underneath, the skin is pale with black mottling that shows through, and the long ears hang in a gentle fold down to the muzzle.213
Personality what they are like
An elegant, energetic scenthound with a gentle, clever look. It is a determined hunter in the field yet affectionate with its owners, including children, and the AKC notes it can settle well in the house.24
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Bred to follow hare, roe deer and boar in packs, it moves with a light, tireless gallop and needs generous daily exercise and space to run.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, fine coat is easy to care for; an occasional brush keeps its shine.2
Home where they are happiest
Suits a home with secure outdoor space and owners who can provide plenty of exercise; the AKC notes it takes well to crate training and house training.4
Company who they like around
A pack hound by background that is attached to its people.14
The story where it all began
The Porcelaine is regarded as one of France's old hunting hounds, with records in France from 1845 and in Switzerland from 1880. It is said to have disappeared around the French Revolution and to have been rebuilt afterwards from related hounds such as the English Harrier, Swiss Laufhunds and the extinct Montaimboeuf.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is said to have vanished around the French Revolution and then been rebuilt from related hounds.1
- 2
The breed standard says black skin pigment usually sits under each orange spot.2
- 3
Orange ticking on the ears is described as especially typical of the breed.3
- 4
It is documented in France since 1845 and in Switzerland since 1880.1
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 30, Group 6 (Scent hounds and related breeds), Section 1.2 Medium-sized hounds; standard published 19.10.1964.2
- UKC
- Scenthound Group, recognised 1 January 1996.3
- AKC
- Has an AKC breed page (Foundation Stock Service listing).4
- Société Centrale Canine
- Recognised in its home country.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Porcelaine. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year
You might also like
Harrier
Schweizer Laufhund
PoitevinLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Wikipedia: Porcelaine en.wikipedia.orgused for history, other names, fun facts
- FCI Standard No. 30, Porcelaine fci.beused for group, size, coat, colours, gait
- UKC breed standard: Porcelaine ukcdogs.comused for recognition date, size, colours
- AKC: Porcelaine akc.orgused for temperament, home life
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.