Tweed Water Spaniel is originated from United Kingdom but Francais Blanc et Noir is originated from France. Tweed Water Spaniel may grow 12 cm / 4 inches shorter than Francais Blanc et Noir. Both Tweed Water Spaniel and Francais Blanc et Noir are of same weight. Tweed Water Spaniel may live 3 years less than Francais Blanc et Noir. Both Tweed Water Spaniel and Francais Blanc et Noir has same litter size. Both Tweed Water Spaniel and Francais Blanc et Noir requires Moderate maintenance.
The Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct. Fortunately, we have some beautiful dogs that come from this dog. It is involved in bringing about the Golden Retriever. They were athletic dogs from Berwick-upon-Tweed.
It was in 1816 that Richard Lawrence wrote of the origins of the Tweed Water Spaniel which is thought to have come from the Newfoundland dog. It is believed that huntsmen used these dogs to retrieve the ducks and geese they shot. This purebred dog wasn’t recognized by the American Kennel Club or the FCI.
Translated from the French Chien Francais Blanc et Noir, is the French White and Black Hound. His ancestry goes back before the French Revolution to the old Hound of Saintonge and the Gascon Saintongeois. The Francais Blanc et Noir was bred to be a hunting dog and he is a scent hound. They were dogs that went hunting in packs, mostly for Roe and Red deer. In the late 19th Century, the Gascon Saintongeois was crossed with the Poitevin and the result was the Francais Blanc et Noir.
The breed was recognized in 1957 and by 2009 there were about 2000 dogs registered with the Federation Cynoloqique Interenationale. There are three types of the Francais line. They are the Chien Francais Tricolor and Chien Francais Blanc et Orange. The Blanc et Noir was bred as a hunting dog and they remain that especially in France. However, they are also very popular in dog shows. Because so many dogs belonged to hunters who felt no compulsion to register them, they were not recognized internationally for many decades later than they should have been.
Following the Second World War, breeding programs were in chaos and hunters were abandoning dogs that they could not feed. The military killed many dogs also. The Chien Francais Blanc et Noir saw its ranks greatly depleted but the breed survived. After being recognized in 1957 by the CKC and FCI, they gained international attention for the first time. Even though the breed is rare its numbers are greater than either of the other Chien Francais types. The breed registers 200 to 400 new dogs every year.
They are still endangered though because there are very few dogs left outside of France.
The UKC has recognized the breed but the AKC doesn’t.
The Tweed Water Spaniel had a curly liver-colored coat with a long feathery tail and medium-sized floppy ears. It is thought that he was a large dog standing at between 50 to 60cm in height and weighing between 25 and 32kg.
The Tweed Water Spaniel, regarded as a moderate shedder, would have required being brushed from time to time.
The Tweed Water Spaniel had so many wonderful characteristics that made him a splendid family pet. He was smart and able to learn basic commands. He was also very playful and would have made a robust, playful friend for children.
They made gentle, loyal companions for their human family and wee able to get on well with other pets in the home. They would have got on well with other pets in the home too and it is believed that they were amicable enough to have been suited as a therapy dog.
They made good watchdogs too, being active and alert, just loving the outdoors. They’re well suited to life in the country or a home with a big garden and wouldn’t like to be cooped up on a small property in the city.
Being a pack hunting dog, the Francais Blanc et Noir is muscular and lean. A long legged athletic breed with long drop ears, a domed head, and flews overhanging the lower lip. The coat is black and white, with black and blue ticking. There are tan dot on the cheeks and above the eyes and also below the tail. These spots of pale tan color can also appear on the dog’s legs. The Francais Blanc et Noir is known for its scenting ability and for its great voice. With its athletic build it is also known for its ability to persevere
Intelligent, courageous and friendly, it seems such a pity that the Tweed Water Spaniel is extinct because he seemed to have been a super dog.
Luckily we have dogs such as the Golden Retriever that remind us of what a good family pet he was.
They are good with children as long as the children are not overly rambunctious.
He is a large active dog that would not be adaptable to apartment or city life.
The breed is very smart and easily trainable.
Because this dog is extinct and because no health records were kept, it is assumed that he would have had the same health issues as a Golden Retriever. Typical health issues of this dog would include hip dysplasia, obesity, cardiomyopathy.
This is a preventable disease in dogs, and if dog owners only knew what damage they do by allowing their dogs to become obese. Certainly, obesity shortens a dog’s life.
It is mind-boggling to realize that scientific evidence tells us that fat tissue is biologically active, secreting inflammatory hormones and also putting stress on the dog’s joints. Obese dogs develop an increased risk for cancer, diabetes and heart disease.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle characterized by an enlarged heart. The heart doesn’t function properly with the ventricles becoming enlarged. The muscle wall of the heart becomes thinner and this causes the heart to lose the ability to pump blood to the rest of the body.
Fluid can accumulate in the lungs. This can all lead to congestive heart failure. Your dog will battle to breathe, be panting and coughing, have an extended abdomen and may even collapse.
The Francais Blanc et Noir has the propensity for several minor and a few major health problems. These include:
Can lead to death if not treated immediately. Stomach twists and distends.
Can lead to arthritis and lameness if not treated.
These can be avoided if ears are checked and cleaned after each hunt and after exercise.
The breed is susceptible to the non-fatal type. Check for mites regularly.
Both seasonal and food potentially.
The Tweed Water Spaniel had floppy ears and as a water dog, he may well have had ear infections in his day. One wonders if dog owners of that time were aware of the need to have the inside of the dog's ears clean and dry.
The Tweed Water Spaniel would have needed to have his eyes checked too. Pus in the eyes could indicate the dog wasn’t well.
The Tweed Water Spaniel would have required a lot of exercise and would have loved long walks and hikes. He wouldn’t need an invitation to go swimming and if you threw a stick or ball into the water, he’d be right there, jumping right in.
If you were a person that thrived on an active life this dog would have been for you.
Nobody really knows what the Tweed Water Spaniel would have eaten in the 19th century when he was around. He’s the kind of dog you’d have to be careful with as he could put on weight easily.
If he were around today, you’d give him a high quality commercially manufactured food that was designed for large, active dogs. No doubt in those days, the owners gave the dog scraps off the table.
Today if you wanted to give your dog home-made food, you’d stick to healthy foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some healthy vegetables such as spinach, carrots and sweet potatoes.
Puppies would have required 4 bowls of food a day while the adult dog would require 2 meals a day.
Until a year to 18 months feed two to three times per day two to two and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
After 18 months of age feed the adult at least twice a day about three to four and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
The Francais Blanc et Noir is a dog with a lot of energy and bred to be very active. He needs plenty of exercise and both mental and physical stimulation. If you jog take him with you or take him on long walks every day. He will need a large yard and he needs a job if he is not used for hunting. He is good at field trials, tracking exercises, a search and rescue dog and barn hunts.