The Braque Français Gascogne (French Pointer) is believed to have derived from dogs used to point game in the Mediterranean region as early as the 1300s. When these brown-and-white pointers spread throughout Europe, they evolved into regional types. In France, each type took on the name of its province. The Braque Francais dog breed is docile, sociable, gentle and submissive.
Braque Francais / French Pointer
Is the Braque Francais Gascogne a good family dog?
They would make a great running partner, and love to be outside in the fresh air with their family. Sensitive yet sociable, the Braque Francais is a well-balanced dog breed that gets along well with humans. They thrive in a family setting, though care must be taken to supervise them when around smaller children and pets, particularly if not introduced from a young age, as they have natural hunting instincts.
Is the Braque Francais Gascogne a good Guard Dog?
No. This breed is not a guard dog. In general, the Braque Français is not a natural guard dog, and is unlikely to warn you of any threats. They are friendly even towards strangers. Here is a list of good guard dog breeds.
Is the Braque Francais Gascogne obedient?
Yes. This dog breed is very good at carrying out the tasks it was designed for (hunting) and is consistantly obedient. A natural hunting companion, the Braque Français is an ideal choice for bird and game hunters, and requires very little human instruction; instinctively knowing what needs to be done.
Are they intelligent? Trainable?
This breed is very intelligent, they are easy to train. Many Braque Francaises are sensitive and will require a sympathetic trainer. They respond very poorly to criticisms and harsh commands, and benefit from positive reinforcement and patience when training. They are natural hunters and instinctively know how to go about it.
Does this breed have any health issues? How long do they live?
Braque Francais Gascogne is a naturally healthy breed with a lifespan of 12-14 years. However, If bred irresponsibly, they may have genetic health issues like Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Aortic Stenosis or Ocular Conditions. Make sure to get a puppy from a responsible dog breeder. Also, read how to choose the best puppy.
Is this breed the french name for German Shorthaired pointer?
No. Often mistaken for the German Shorthaired pointer, the Braque Francais is also known as the French Pointer. French Pointer and German Pointer are different dog breeds. The Braque Francaise or French Pointer is a medium-sized Pointer type dog with long, lean limbs and large, flat ears.
Braque Francaise Gascogne vs Braque Francais Pyrenees
The Braque Francais Pyrenees is smaller than the Gascogne, and with finer fur, but maintains the same general proportions. The ears of the Pyrenees are not as long, and the lips less pendulous with a narrower muzzle.
While the Pyrenees and Gascogne are noticeably different in appearance, they do share many similarities. Both breeds will have an elegant head, a relatively short muzzle and soulful eyes that can be any shade from yellow to brown. Their nose should be brown, never black. Their glossy coat is a mix of chestnut brown and white and is often speckled. Large, brown spots in any location on the body are common. Tan markings are acceptable. For the working adult, the tail is often docked.
Braque Francais Gascogne breed standards
General Appearance: A dog of noble appearance, powerful but not heavy, robust and strong limbed.
Head & Skull: Not too heavy although weighty enough. The skull, almost flat or very slightly arched, gives a lightly marked central ridge: the occipital projective little pronounced. Stop is neither let in nor accentuated. Muzzle: Straight, big, rectangular with lips well dropped and junction of lips wrinkled. Nose is broad and chestnut in colour. Nostrils well open. Eyes: Well open and well set in the orbits; maroon in colour or deep yellow. The look is confident, thoughtful and affectionate. Ears: Of average length, set level with the eyes, not too big at the attaching point, well framing the head, slightly folded and rounding at the tip. One or two vertical wrinkles must show on the cheek flanges, on a level or a little below the ear attachment.
Neck: Of good length, slightly arched on the upper part, appears a little thick on account of the dewlap which must always exist.
Shoulders: Very muscular and moderately sloping.
Chest: Big in front, deep seen in profile, reaching the level of the elbows, ribs are rounded but not excessively so.
Back: Big, straight, sometimes a trifle long but always strong and firm.
Loins: Short, muscular, slightly arched.
Buttocks: Slightly slanting in relation to the line of the back. Haunches well out.
Flanks: Flat and slightly raised.
Tail: Usually docked and continuing the convexity of the line of the buttocks, however long the tail, if it is well carried, must not count as a fault more than a short tail.
Thighs: Strong-limbed, but not always very sloping. Forelegs: Straight, large and muscular. Elbow well placed. Strong pasterns. Hindlegs: Hocks large, moderately bent, set low on short bones. Feet: Compact, nearly round or slightly oval. Pads thick. Strong nails.
Hair: Rather thick and smooth, finer on the head and ears.
Skin: Supple and fairly slack.
Coat: White with more or less deep chestnut specks with or without the trout colour or entirely speckled, and chestnut speckled and sometimes liver speckled without patches. Some traces of a fiery pale shade will be above the eyes, on the lips and legs.
Height: From 22-3/4 to 26 inches (58 cm to 66 cm).
Weight: 53-3/4 to 69-1/4 lbs. (24 to 32 kg)
Faults: Head too short, cheek flanges too heavy, face too wrinkled, mealy spots on nose and eyelids, pointed muzzle, skull too narrow or too wide, light eyes, unkind or cross look, ears set too high or badly carried or too long, too curly, shoulders and ribs fine feet with insufficient spread.
Disqualifications: Black nose, split nose, black specks or black hairs scattered over the coat.
Link: Braque Francais club France.