French Pointing Dog

Chestnut brown, either solid or mixed with white, or sometimes white with or without ticking, roan or tan markings.

The Braque Francais has a smooth, fairly short coat. The Pyrenean type has a tighter skin, whole the Gascogne type has a loose skin and noticeably thicker hair.

Chestnut brown or dark yellow.

As mentioned, there are 2 different types of Braque Francais. One originates from the Southwest of France and the other from the central Pyrenean areas. These dogs are the natural choice for any game and bird hunters, knowing instinctively what needs to be done in the field, without being instructed constantly. 

The Braque Gascogne is the larger of the 2 dogs, with a squarer muzzle and a thicker coat. The Pyrenean dog has a finer coat, a broader head and a more mottled-brown coat colour.
 

These dogs are extremely loving and affectionate with their owners and enjoy spending time with humans.

The French Pointer is an obedient dog and likewise, very sociable, submissive and gentle. A great choice of dog to have around children.

The smart Braque Francais is known as a soft breed and is very gentle and calm. 

Certainly a very intelligent breed that responds well to training routines.

As natural bird hunters, it’s commonly said that the Braque Francais is born half-trained. While the Pyrenees Braque is a fast moving dog when hunting, the Gascogne is a slower moving dog. 

Although the Braque Francais isn’t a natural guard dog, he is more likely to make friends with any strangers he meets.

These Braque dogs just love to perform their tasks often without much training needed. 

While they make loving and affectionate companions, if left alone for too long the Braque Francais can suffer from separation anxiety. 

As a breed that loves to please their master, this Braque Francais dog responds well to training. However, he can be quite sensitive when corrected, so consistent and gentle training methods are needed. 

These dogs are not known to be excessive barkers, even when confronted with an unknown person.

As a hunting dog, the Braque Francais certainly relishes an outdoor and active life. He prefers to be kept active and occupied, or he will take to running off by himself. 

Providing the French Pointer is adequately occupied and exercised, there should be no destructive behaviours.

As a sporty, active dog breed, the Braque Francais needs a very nutritious diet, to meet his stamina and needs. He is not generally a greedy dog breed.

Generally, the Braque Francais isn’t a natural guard dog. In fact, he is more likely to make friends with an intruder, rather than warning him off.

Sociable yet sensitive, this well-balanced canine gets along very well in the company of humans. Although he is a hunting dog breed, the Braque Francais also thrives in a family setting. As non-dominant dogs, they are a good choice even for an inexperienced owner. 

Although due to his size, the French Pointer isn’t the first choice of dog to live in a flat, he will settle happily into a family house. This is ideal for any part-time hunters, who want a loving house pet too. This breed enjoys having a large outside area to run around.

As a hunting dog breed, the Braque Francais is a very energetic and active canine. Daily mental and physical stimulation is necessary, both indoors and outside.

As an amendable dog, the Braque Francais will happily travel in a dog cage in the rear of a car, especially if this is on route to the hunting field. 

As a hunting dog, this breed is not the best choice to live in a household where cats are present. 

The French Pointer has no problems when living and socialising with other dogs.

Providing that the children and the dogs have been brought up living together from a young age, they will get along just fine together. However, due to the dog’s size, they may be too boisterous when around small toddlers.

In most cases, the Braque Francais is a relatively docile, gentle dog. Providing his daily exercise needs are met, he will make a loving pet for an elderly person.

The Braque Francais is considered to be an average shedder. The Braque Gascogne sheds slightly more than the Pyrenean dog. 

Generally a healthy dog breed with no recognised and documented health issues. Like many other sporting dogs, hip and elbow dysplasia may cause some problems, while eye problems are more common. The average life expectancy for this breed is 12 to 14 years.

Certainly a dog with great stamina, who is able to hunt constantly for many hours. 

As the Braque Francais is a short haired dog, he tolerates the heat of the summer quite well. 

This breed is capable of hunting over all terrains, in all weathers. Cooler temperatures won’t prevent him carrying out his hunting expeditions. He will happily jump into cold water as he retrieves game birds.

As a very energetic and active dog, he isn’t prone to gaining weight while he is working. However, a more senior dog who lives a sedentary life in the home will be more prone to gaining weight. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia
• Luxating patella/Patellar luxation
• Cataracts
• Entropion
• Ectropion
• Progressive retinal atrophy/PRA
• Pannus
• Demodicosis/Demodectic mange/Memodex mange
• Cleft lip/palate
• Acral mutilation syndrome
• Aortic stenosis 

Dating back to the 15th century, the Braque Francais breed of hunting dogs first appeared in the South of France.