Spanieldepont-Audemer
Description
The Spanieldepont-Audemer is a rare French breed with roots tracing back to the 19th century. It was crafted from several French spaniels, including the Irish Water Spaniel and Barbet, to excel at waterfowl hunting. This dog carries a sturdy frame, weighing between 33 and 48 pounds, built for endurance and strength in the field. Its dense, curly coat is medium in length, marked by a distinctive brown and white patched and ticked pattern that stands out in any crowd. Known as the "Little Clown of Pont-Audemer," this spaniel blends a playful spirit with a calm, affectionate nature. It bonds easily with people and other animals, making it a loyal companion at home. While it thrives on retrieving and hunting tasks, it’s just as happy lounging with its family after a long day. This breed responds best to gentle, positive training and enjoys being part of daily activities.
Grooming
The Spanieldepont-Audemer’s medium-length, dense curly coat needs regular care to stay healthy and neat. Brush your dog three times a week to prevent mats and tangles, but increase brushing during spring and fall when shedding peaks. Use an undercoat rake to pull out dead hair beneath the curls, helping reduce loose fur around your home. Bathe every 4 to 6 weeks, then blow-dry thoroughly to keep the coat fluffy and to remove dead undercoat effectively. Pay special attention to the brown and white patches, as white areas can show dirt more easily. Wipe paws and ears regularly to avoid buildup in those spots. Trim around the eyes and ears to keep the coat tidy and prevent irritation. Grooming checklist: - Brush 3× weekly; daily during heavy shed seasons - Use undercoat rake for dead hair removal - Bathe every 4–6 weeks - Blow-dry coat after baths - Clean ears and paws regularly - Trim hair near eyes and ears Pro tip: Blow-drying after baths not only dries the coat but also fluffs it, making it easier to spot and remove loose hairs.
Learn the Dense routine:
→ Complete Dense Grooming Guide
Walking
Plan for one solid walk each day, lasting about 65 minutes. This breed enjoys exploring water edges and sniffing out scents, so choose routes with varied terrain and some access to shallow water if possible. The Spanieldepont-Audemer likes to take its time, so keep the pace moderate and allow for plenty of breaks to investigate. A typical walk might start with a 10-minute warm-up on a quiet street, followed by 40 minutes through a park or trail with water access, finishing with 15 minutes of relaxed leash walking back home. This routine helps the dog burn off energy while satisfying its natural curiosity and retrieving instincts. Example routine: - 10 minutes warm-up on quiet street - 40 minutes exploring park with water - 15 minutes calm leash walk home
Boarding
When boarding a Spanieldepont-Audemer, provide a crate sized between 36 and 42 inches to give enough room for comfort and stretching. This breed enjoys calm decompression time after exercise, so daily play sessions should be balanced with quiet periods to help it relax. Staff should offer enrichment that taps into the dog’s retrieving instincts, like supervised fetch games or scent puzzles. Social play with other calm dogs is usually welcomed, but monitor interactions closely to keep things friendly. The breed’s curly coat needs regular brushing even during boarding to prevent mats, so grooming sessions should be part of the daily routine. Boarding staff notes: - Use 36–42" crate - Provide daily exercise with calm decompression - Include retrieving and scent-based enrichment - Monitor social play carefully - Maintain regular grooming to keep coat healthy