Gundog Large size 20-30 kg
French Long Haired Pointer
A friendly long-coated French pointer for an active hunting home, with a feathered coat that needs regular grooming.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Large
Size
20-30 kg, 55-63 cm
High
Activity
High; needs real daily exercise and a job
Low
Alone-time tolerance
Prefers company; struggles with long days alone
Easy
Trainability
Eager and quick to learn
High
Coat care
Frequent brushing; coat needs real upkeep
Very good
Fit with kids
Good family dog with children
Very good
Other pets
Generally good with other dogs and pets
Light
Health burden
Dental Disease, Hip Dysplasia
The French Long Haired Pointer typically weighs 20-30 kg, stands 55-63 cm, and lives 11-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you are active and want a versatile pointing gundog,
you hunt, run or hike and want a tireless field partner,
you can keep up with a feathered coat that needs brushing,
someone is usually home; it bonds closely and dislikes solitude.
Do not consider this breed if…
the dog would regularly be alone 8 or more hours,
you want a wash-and-go coat with minimal grooming,
you want a calm, low-energy house dog,
you cannot give it 1-2 hours of real daily exercise.
A typical day with a French Long Haired Pointer
- 6:00 · MorningLong run or off-leash exercise in a safe area
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest after exercise, a chew
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk, scent and retrieve games
- 16:00 · AfternoonTraining session, 15-20 min
- 18:30 · EveningFieldwork or a long ramble
- 21:00 · NightA worked dog settles calmly indoors
Family and environment
Kids Very good
Gentle and friendly with children.
Dogs Good
Generally sociable with other dogs.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive; best raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Only with a lot of daily exercise.
House with a yard Suitable
A yard helps but does not replace real exercise.
City Manages
Workable with plenty of activity.
Countryside Ideal
Space and fieldwork suit its origins.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Light
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Dental Disease Very common; routine brushing and cleanings help
Hip Dysplasia Joint malformation; screen breeding stock
Chronic Ear Infections Drop ears trap moisture; keep them clean and dry
Progressive Retinal Atrophy Inherited retinal disease; DNA test available
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Closely comparable long-coated pointer
German Long Haired Pointer
A calm, affectionate long-coated pointer that is a fine family gundog, needing daily exercise and regular grooming.
View profile →
Another feathered versatile gundog
Small Munsterlander
An affectionate, versatile pointing dog that thrives on work and company - ideal for hunters and active families, poor for sedentary homes.
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Short-coated French pointer relative
French Gascony Short Haired Pointer
A rangy French pointer bred for the field, great with family but needing serious daily exercise and a working outlet.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a French Long Haired Pointer cost in the US?
This is a rare French pointing breed, very seldom seen in the US, so availability is limited and most buyers would face a waitlist or importing from Europe, which adds substantially to the cost. Where puppies are available, they commonly run $1,000-$2,000 plus any import and travel. Across an 11-14 year life, food, grooming and routine vet care typically add $13,000-$20,000 or more for a large dog.
How much grooming does a French Long Haired Pointer need?
More than the short-coated French pointers. The medium-length feathered coat needs brushing a few times a week to prevent mats and tangles, especially on the ears, legs and tail, plus routine ear cleaning on the drop ears.
Is this breed a good family dog?
Yes, for an active family. They are gentle, affectionate and generally very good with children and other dogs. Like all working pointers, they need one to two hours of real daily exercise and a job, and they dislike being left alone for long.
Is the French Long Haired Pointer easy to train?
Generally yes. They are eager to please and biddable, responding well to positive, consistent methods. Prey drive means recall needs proofing around game, but they are among the more trainable pointing breeds.