Origin
Braque d’Auvergne is a rare and beautiful hunting dog that has its roots in the Auvergne region of southern France.
The breed may have originated there or may have been introduced during the Napoleonic Wars.
The word braque means “to point”, thus the name translates to “pointing dog from the Auvergne region”. It is a very old breed that has existed for more than 200 years.
The ex-president of the Club Du Braque Francais (French Pointer Club), M Jean Servier, wrote in his book, entitled The World Encyclopedia of Dogs (1971), that the French Braque is one of the oldest breeds of pointers in the world.
A leading dog breed historian Colonel David Hancock, author of The Heritage of the Dog (1990) shares the same views with Servier.
Both writers concluded that these dogs have been the origin of nearly all continental European and British shorthaired ‘setters’. According to Servier, the Braque d’Auvergne is a crossbreed between the Gascony Pointer and the Pyrenean Braque.
Traits and Behavior
The Braque d’ Auvergne is a very hard-working breed of dog that can easily adapt and perform in any kind of habitat. The Braque d’Auvergne is well-known for being such an affectionate, loyal and loving dog to its human family.
When properly trained and socialized starting at a young age, most Braque d’Auvergnes get along very well with other canine breeds. These qualities make the dog an ideal home companion.
At home, this energetic dog would exhibit a docile temperament. The dog is gentle and playful with the children and tolerates dogs and other pets, especially when raised with the other pets from puppyhood.
The Braque d’ Auvergne is bred primarily to hunt since it has a strong prey drive. Dog owners who love to go hunting will be glad to have this kind of dog as their pet, knowing that the Braque d’ Auvergne has lots of energy when it comes to tracking, pointing and retrieving.
This is an intelligent breed. Many Braque d’Auvergne excels in agility and obedience competitions.
However, few of these dogs may manifest stubborn behaviour. An owner must be ready for this. He should act firm and use positive training methods. This remarkable breed would do well in any kind of home setting as long as they are constantly activated.
Pet Care and Diseases
Few studies have found out that some dogs belonging to this breed have suffered the following health problems:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Elbow Dysplasia
- Luxating Patella/Patellar Luxation
- Cataracts
- Entropion
- Ectropion
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy/PRA
- Pannus
- Demodicosis/Demodectic Mange/Demodex Mange
- Cleft Lip/Palate
- Acral Mutilation Syndrome
- Aortic Stenosis
A careful regular check-up will help you spot potential health problems early before it gets worse.
If the Braque d’Auvergne is provided with enough workout and play sessions, it can do well even in less spacious living settings such as an apartment or condominium.
However, it will be better if the dog can go to rural areas away from the crowded city where it can run along with wide spaces.
This dog has a bad habit of chewing random things or possessions in the house especially if it is left alone.
Crate training (a process of teaching a pet to accept a dog crate or cage as a familiar and safe location) will be very beneficial to address this annoying habit.
When it comes to grooming, trim the coat or shave the ears to neaten the dog’s look. Don’t bathe the dog more often than what is needed. The coat has an oily protective layer that is water-resistant to safeguard your dog from harsh weather.
So it is recommended to bathe it only when it’s dirty or smelly. Brush the coat at least twice a week to keep it in good shape.
Appearance
The Braque d’Auvergne is a sturdy dog, which has a height ranging between 53-63 centimetres (21-25 inches) at the withers and weighing 40-60 pounds. These dogs are quite hefty for their average stature.
They have a typical gun dog appearance with 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.
Its body structure provides the ability, with its agile movement, to travel long distances and be active all day long, even in the most difficult terrain.
General Information
The Braque d’Auvergne has a long life span of 12-13 years. A litter may consist of 3-6 puppies. This breed is also known as Bleu d’Auvergne and Auvergne Pointer.
Breed Club
Visit this dog club website dedicated to Braque d’Auvergnes. Click this link: http://www.braquedauvergne.fr/