EPAGNEUL PONT-AUDEMER

COUNTRY: France WEIGHT: 40-53 pounds HEIGHT: 20-23 inches COAT: Long all over and quite wavy, topknot on head, smooth face COLOR: Solid liver, liver and white with or without ticking in the white OTHER NAMES: Pont-Audemer Spaniel REGISTRY: FCI GROUP: Gun Dog

"He goes where the hunter can't go"—this old saying probably best describes the Pont-Audemer Spaniel, a specialist for water work. His origins most likely go back to the Poodle/Barbel, since they have both been in France for a long time. There may have been crosses to some of the French land spaniels, as well as to British and Irish spaniels, during his formation. He is a water dog of excellence and works the marshes for ducks; the breed has a dual purpose, as it is a fine pointing dog and can be used for other game.

Although a skilled hunter, he has not gained much prominence outside his native districts of Normandy and Picardy in northwestern France. With the invasion of English dogs on French shores and the apathy of French hunters, this breed is in danger of disappearing, perhaps due to its specialization. European hunters prefer a general-purpose dog. Due to the small numbers available for breeding following the War, it became necessary to cross to Irish Water Spaniels in the 1950s. Fewer than 100 registrations per year were recorded in the 1980s, with the numbers decreasing each year, and the breed is plagued with the problems that surface with the unavoidable inbreeding. Fortunately, the Society Havraise is dedicated to the renovation of the breed. The Pont-Audemer has joined forces with the Picardy and the Blue Picardy in a club for all three breeds.