The French Spaniel (Epagneul Français) was developed in France as a hunting dog, descended from dogs of the 14th century. Popular with royalty during the Middle Ages, it nearly became extinct by the turn of the 20th century but was saved by the efforts of Father Fournier, a French priest. One of the largest breeds of Spaniels, the French Spaniel is a descendant of the bird dogs described by Gaston Febus and used in the Middle Ages. Its ancestors are more than likely at the origin of the diverse varieties of sporting Spaniels. Through selection it developed into the elegant and athletic dog, pointing very firmly, which today excels in working trials. The first standard was drawn up in 1891 by James de Connick; it has been revised several times since, and adapted to the diverse evolutions of the breed. The breed was imported into Canada in the mid 1970 and the United States about 1997.

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