Braque d'Auvergne
The Braque d'Auvergne is a breed of dog originating in the mountain area of Cantal, in the historic Auvergne province in the mid-south of France. It is a pointer and versatile gundog. The breed descends from ancient regional types of hunting dogs.
Appearance
The Braque d'Auvergne is a strong, substantial dog, between 53 and 63 cm (22–25 inches) at the withers. It has a large head, long ears, and pendulous lips. The tail was traditionally docked to half its length. The short, glossy coat is white with mottling of black that gives a blue impression, and large black spots. The head and ears are always black.
Temperament
The Auvergne is a lively, sensitive, obedient, and affectionate fellow. Intelligent and good natured, it makes a fine family dog and an excellent hunting partner. It gets along well with other dogs. The Braque d'Auvergne is a natural hunter who tends to work closely with its partner, checking in frequently. This trait, combined with its gentle nature and desire to please, make it a highly trainable pointer.
Care
One of the pluses in taking a Braque d’Auvergne is its low maintenance coat. This short coated breed would not need extensive grooming. An owner simply needs to brush the coat occasionally to maintain its good condition. Too frequent bathing is not recommended as it will remove the natural oils of the skin. The Braque d’ Auvergne is a working dog. It is expected to have high exercise requirements. It is necessary to take the dog for long walks if a fenced in yard where the dog can play is not available. This is a fairly healthy breed. The dog has a 12 to 13 years life expectancy. This breed though is prone to ear infections because of its long drooping ears. Ears must be regularly cleaned most especially if the dog has gone hunting.
Appearance
The Braque d'Auvergne is a strong, substantial dog, between 53 and 63 cm (22–25 inches) at the withers. It has a large head, long ears, and pendulous lips. The tail was traditionally docked to half its length. The short, glossy coat is white with mottling of black that gives a blue impression, and large black spots. The head and ears are always black.
Temperament
The Auvergne is a lively, sensitive, obedient, and affectionate fellow. Intelligent and good natured, it makes a fine family dog and an excellent hunting partner. It gets along well with other dogs. The Braque d'Auvergne is a natural hunter who tends to work closely with its partner, checking in frequently. This trait, combined with its gentle nature and desire to please, make it a highly trainable pointer.
Care
One of the pluses in taking a Braque d’Auvergne is its low maintenance coat. This short coated breed would not need extensive grooming. An owner simply needs to brush the coat occasionally to maintain its good condition. Too frequent bathing is not recommended as it will remove the natural oils of the skin. The Braque d’ Auvergne is a working dog. It is expected to have high exercise requirements. It is necessary to take the dog for long walks if a fenced in yard where the dog can play is not available. This is a fairly healthy breed. The dog has a 12 to 13 years life expectancy. This breed though is prone to ear infections because of its long drooping ears. Ears must be regularly cleaned most especially if the dog has gone hunting.
History
The Braque d’ Auvergne is a large breed of pointing dog that is commonly seen hunting in the mountain region of Auvergne. This elegant breed is noted for its light and flowing gait. The excellent scenting ability is one of the dog’s assets that are highly valued by hunters. The Braque d’Auvergne also known as Auvergne Pointing Dog has been around for over two centuries. This breed has been in existence in the Cantal region of France since the late 1700s but its origin is still a point of issue. How the dog came to France and how the breed was developed is still a mystery up to these days. Historians have different theories on how this hunting breed was developed. It was believed that the dogs were developed by hunters wanting to have a tireless hunting dog. Different breeds of French dogs were crossed and resulted to the present day Braque d’Auvergne. It was otherwise believed that this breed has directly descended from French pointers and that the breed was developed and flourished in the Cantal region. The Braque d’Auvergne is a French breed. The name itself signifies that the breed was developed in the historic Auvergne province. However, it was speculated that the breed was developed in Malta when the island is under the governance of the Sovereign Order of the Malta. The Knights of Malta were sent to France when Napoleon occupied Malta during the Napoleonic wars. In 1798, the knights arrived in France bringing home the dogs from Malta. These dogs that were crossed with local dogs became the ancestors of the Braque d’Auvergne. This theory is more preferred and accepted. At some point in the breed’s development, the English Pointer was introduced to the gene pool further enhancing the breed’s appearance and hunting abilities. A breed standard for the Braque d’Auvergne was written in the early 20th century. The World War 11 greatly decimated dog population. The Braque d’Auvergne is on the brink of extinction. Fortunately some dogs survived and from these remaining specimens, the Braque d’Auvergne was restored. Careful breeding has somehow increased the numbers but breed population is still worryingly low but it is not in imminent danger of extinction. The Braque d’ Auvergne is still considered as a rare breed. These dogs are seldom seen outside its country of origin. This excellent hunter adapts well to being a home companion as it has an affectionate, obedient and gentle temperament. The Braque d’Auvergne is officially recognized by FCI and classified as continental pointing dog. |
BreedBraque d'AuvergneAlternative namesAuvergne Pointer Bleu d' AuvergneHeight (male/female)22-25 inches (53-63 cm) / 22-25 inches (53-63 cm)Weight (male/female)48-62 pounds (22-28 kg) / 48-62 pounds (22-28 kg)Life expectancy12-13 years