Braque D
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Braque D'auvergne

Other names:
Auvergne Pointer
Auvergne Pointing Dog
Blue D'auvergne

The Braque D'Auvergne ("brahk doh-vern"), also called the Auvergne Pointer or Blue D'Auvergne, is a French hunting dog known for its lively work ethic and its undying devotion to its owners. Bred to hunt and track small game, this medium-sized breed is very task-oriented and obedient, and is very affectionate with kids and other animals. Whether accompanying its master on a hunt, curled up next to the fire, or playing with the kids in the yard, a Braque is incredibly personable, and will make a great addition to any family. Because of their high energy levels, these dogs are best suited for homes with yards, which will give them plenty of room to explore.

Braque D'auvergne Breed Details

Below are the details and specs for the Braque D'Auvergne dog breed.

Type
Purebred
Lifespan
12 - 15 yrs.
Height
21 - 24½ in.
Weight
49 - 62 lbs
Friendliness
OverallFamily FriendlyChild FriendlyPet FriendlyStranger Friendly
Maintenance
Easy to GroomEnergy LevelExercise NeedsHealthShedding Amount
Behavior
Barks / HowlsEasy to TrainGuard DogPlayfulnessWatch Dog
Ownership
Apartment DogCan be AloneGood for Busy OwnersGood for New OwnersIntelligence

Braque D'auvergne Breed Description

A medium-sized breed, Braque D'Auvergnes weigh 49-62 pounds; males stand 22 ½ - 24 ½ inches at the shoulders, while females are 21-23 inches in height.

Extremely people-friendly, lively, obedient, and intelligent, this breed is a hard-working hunting dog that makes a fantastic family companion. Braques are excellent tracking dogs, and are very affectionate with children, other animals, and even strangers, but may suffer separation anxiety if left alone.

Braque D'Auvergnes are a fairly low-maintenance breed. The most frequent requirement for these animals is their constant need of company. Their short coats require little in the way of grooming; as active hunting dogs, they will need plenty of exercise; and they are very easily trained.

Braque D'auvergne Breed History

Breeds of this type have existed in the Auvergne and Cantal regions of Central and Southern France for centuries. During the 18th and 19th centuries, French peasants crossbred numerous types of pointing dogs (known as "braques"), including the Gascony Pointer and the Pyrenean Braque. Out of this selective breeding came a black and white pointer known as the Braque D'Auvergne (or, because its black and white markings appeared almost blue in color, the Braque Bleu D'Auvergne). According to popular legend, this breed was brought to France by soldiers returning from the Siege of Malta around 1800; this legend has been ultimately disproved due to contradictory evidence, but some French citizens still claim it as the truth.

In 1913, the official Réunion des Amateurs du Braque d'Auvergne (RABA) club was formed in France; later that year, the breed was formally recognized by the Société Central Canine, the official French kennel club. In the 1940s, when World War II ravaged France, the Braque D'Auvergne became almost extinct, but the RABA club rebuilt their number in the following decades. Today, these dogs exist in other parts of the world, though rarely; a majority of Braques still remain in France.

Braque D'auvergne Appearance

Braque D'Auvergnes are generally equal in height and length. Its head is large and oval-shaped, and its ears are long, rectangular, and hang from the skull. Most Braques have long, jowl-like upper lips. Eyes are large, oval, and hazel in color. The breed's chest is deep, its legs are long, and its body is relatively narrow, all designed to give it great endurance in the field. The tail is long, carried horizontally, and is often docked to half its length.

Braque D'auvergne Colors

The images below represent the coat colors and patterns associated with Braque D'auvergnes.

White and Black
White and Black

Braque D'auvergne Temperament

Braque D'Auvergnes are obedient, intelligent, gentle dogs that are highly trainable. Bred to be natural hunters, Braques instinctively develop close, subservient relationships with their handlers; the breed is extremely people-oriented, and will make an excellent addition to the family. The downside to this personality trait is that Braques get lonely easily, and will thus require almost constant company. Also, this breed is wholly ineffective as a guard dog, because a Braque will likely welcome intruders rather than show aggression to them – and may even try to follow them home.

But these dogs can be trained to perform many tasks, and do very well in obedience trials. While A Braque's athletic ability is only average, its desire to please combined with its hunting instincts (which include an excellent sense of smell) make it an outstanding hunting and tracking companion.

Braque D'auvergne Maintenance

Braque D'Auvergnes are a fairly low-maintenance breed. The most frequent requirement for these animals is their constant need of company. Their short coats require little in the way of grooming; as active hunting dogs, they will need plenty of exercise; and they are very easily trained.

Grooming Requirements

Braques are short-haired, and shed only moderately, so they will require brushing only once every 1-2 weeks. Occasional baths are needed, with special attention paid to the Braque's large, droopy ears, which may collect dust and debris.

Exercise Requirements

As natural working animals, Braque D'Auvergnes require a good bit of exercise. An hour-long daily walk or run is recommended; these dogs also love outdoor activities like tag and chase. Braques are in their natural element, though, when tracking game through the woods.

Living Requirements

Due to their lively natures, these dogs are best suited for homes with yards that allow them to run and explore. Apartment living may cause a Braque to feel too confined, especially if left alone.

Braque D'auvergne Health

This is a very robust breed; minor health issues, while rare, may include hip dysplasia (a malformation of the hip socket) and bloating of the stomach.

Braque D'auvergne Health Concerns

Below are potential health concerns associated with Braque D'auvergnes.

Bloat
Hip dysplasia

About this Article

Authored by:Dog-Learn
Updated:April 17, 2017
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