The Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament is a beautiful thing. She’s a hunter with a passion for her job. But she’s also a happy little comedian who craves human companionship.
With the right environment and plenty of exercise, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel could transition fairly easily to life as a companion dog.
Table of Contents
Pont-Audemer Spaniel Temperament
1. Intelligent
Like most hunting dogs, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel is smart and learns easily. But unlike most hunting dogs, she doesn’t have an independent streak.
2. Loyal
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament is faithful and devoted. She will love all of her family members, but she will form especially strong bonds with her caretakers.
3. Affectionate
This breed loves to be close to her family, especially the children.
4. Gentle
Her docile nature allows her to fit in right into family life.
5. Happy
This is one of the nicest things about the Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament. She has a bright and easy disposition, and her tail is usually wagging.
6. Comical
In France, she’s known as “le petit clown des marais” (the clown of the marshes) for her funny antics.
7. Eager to Please
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament is an easy one to work with. She is highly trainable because she loves to please her owner.
8. Adaptable
She will happily adapt to family living—even in an apartment—as long as she gets enough daily exercise.
9. Social
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament is very sociable. She craves human companionship.
10. Playful
She’s a fun-loving breed who’s fun to have around. She loves to play with children and will consider them friends for life.
11. Friendly
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament is never aggressive. She is good with other dogs and will greet strangers happily. She is definitely not a watchdog.
12. Energetic
High energy is one of the hallmarks of the Pont-Audemer Spaniel temperament. If she gets enough exercise, though, she will be happy and relaxed at home.
13. Driven
This is a breed that was born to work. She is a tenacious and enthusiastic hunter with a passion for her job.
14. Hardy
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel is tough. These dogs are able (and more than willing) to work in all weather conditions.
15. Prey Drive
She will instinctively chase small household pets. However, she can be trained to leave them alone.
Pont-Audemer Spaniel History
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel is a rare gundog that originated in Normandy, France, in the 1800s. Their exact heritage is unknown.
The most common theory is that it was created by the cross of an old French spaniel breed with the Irish Water Spaniel. There is probably Poodle and Barbet as well as British and Irish spaniels in this breed’s lineage.
This dog is said to have legendary water hunting skills. She was never popular outside of Normandy because she is a water specialist. Most European hunters were more interested in dogs with more generalized skills.
When English and other foreign hunting dogs began finding their way to France, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel came very close to extinction. World War II nearly finished it off.
In the 1950s, this dog’s French breed club approved crossing them with the Picardy Spaniel. This was done to save the breed and to prevent inbreeding.
In 1980, the Pont-Audemer Spaniel club joined the Picardy Spaniel club. Today, they are still working together to revive the breed.
The Pont-Audemer Spaniel was accepted by the Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI