15 French dog breeds — with photos

RD.COM Pets and animals Dogs

You know French Poodles and French Bulldogs, but have you heard of those other adorable French dog breeds that make great pets?

Very bony

When you think of French dog breeds, you probably think of poodles first. While the ubiquitous curly-haired dog remains one of the most popular breeds in the United States, French dog breeds offer much more. Some of these breeds are relatively unknown outside of France, while others have captured the hearts of animal lovers everywhere. (We’re looking at you, French bulldog.)

And here’s a surprise: Not all French dog breeds are companion dogs bred for the court of Versailles or to sit quietly under the table in a Parisian sidewalk cafe. There are French dog breeds used for hunting, herding, sailing, and other tasks, and they come in all sizes, even giant dog breeds. And for the right owner, they make delicious pets. Here are 15 of our favorite French dog breeds that are just waiting for you to say “Yes. As always, we encourage you to research breed-specific rescue groups first if you are interested in adopting one of these special puppies.

Poodle

Standard, miniature, or toy, the poodle has been one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States since the 1960s and consistently ranks among the top ten most popular breeds. But here are some anecdotes about poodles: they are not really French! The official dog of France is in fact originally from Germany, although it is the French nobility who are particularly interested in the breed. They were originally bred as duck hunters, and today poodles still do best when they have a job to do. These alert and super intelligent dogs train well and need to be engaged in activities; leave them to their own devices, and they can become destructive. Poodles have hair, not fur, so although they do require regular grooming, they make excellent pets for people with allergies.