Rare Dog Breeds: The Braque Francaises

The Braque Françaises is a rare breed of hunting dogs that originated from the European country of France. Translated, Braque Françaises means "French Pointer." However, it should be noted that even though these dogs are relatively rare throughout the rest of the world, they are still relatively popular in their home country.

Breed History: The Braque Françaises

The Braque Françaises is an older breed of dog that has been around for a few hundred years. Some sources can trace the breed back as far as the 14th century, though many sources disagree on the original purpose of the dog. Some state that the dog was historically used as a hunting dog, while others claim it was bred to be a race dog. No matter what the history may be, today's Braque Françaises (in the United States) are bred to be hunting and companion dogs.

According to Chad Mason, this breed was first brought into the United States in the 1970s by a man named Michel Gelinas. In the United States, they are used to hunt pheasants, grouse or woodcock.

The Braque Françaises: Appearance

There are two "types" of French Pointers (Braque Françaises,) the Pyrenean type and the Gascogne type.

The Pyrenean type is smaller in size with more mottling and brown spots present in the fur. This type features shorter ears and a broader head accompanied by a muzzle that is relatively narrow. Meanwhile, the Gascogne type is larger in size. It has a thicker coat with a broad, square muzzle in comparison. The ears on the Gascogne variety are said to be able to touch the tip of the nose when pulled forward. Perhaps one day, these two different types will be considered different breeds but for now, they are both classified as Braque Françaises.

Overall, the breed is considered to be a medium-sized breed. They can range in weight from approximately 37 pounds to 55 pounds. At the shoulders, they can range in height from 18.5 to 23 inches.

The Temperament of a Braque Françaises

Owners of the Braque Françaises breed state that these dogs have an intense desire to learn, with an even more intense desire to hunt down prey. Due to their breed, they have a natural inclination to point and retrieve.

As a companion dog, this breed is referred to as being a very obedient dog. They thrive on companionship and are considered to be relatively easy to train, even for an owner new to the world of dogs. They are easy going dogs who simply want their owners to be happy.

The Braque Françaises: Potential Health Issues

Because these dogs are currently relatively rare in the United States, there is no reliable information as to the potential health issues that could or would occur in this breed.