Portrait of a Braque Français Pyrenean, a medium dog breed

Braque Francais Pyrenean

  • Medium
  • Foundation Stock Service

The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a medium-sized French pointer bred to hunt the rugged Pyrenees. Gentle, friendly, and eager to please, this smooth-coated sporting dog has a natural retrieve instinct and a real love of water.

Height
18.5 to 23
inches at the shoulder
Weight
40 to 55
pounds, adult
Life expectancy
12 to 15
years, median 13.5
Senior from
10.1
years, about

Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.

About the breed

Temperament
Friendly, smart, willing to please
Coat
Smooth, short
Origin
France

The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a well-proportioned, medium-sized dog with a soft, shorthaired coat. The Braque Francais Pyrenean stands about 18.5 to 23 inches tall and weighs 40 to 55 pounds, with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

The breed was developed to hunt the rugged, arid Pyrenees mountains along the border of France and Spain. It dates back hundreds of years and is considered the common ancestor of today's shorthaired pointing breeds. There are two types of Braque Francais, the Gascony type and the Pyrenean type, and the Pyrenean is the smaller and more popular of the two.

In temperament it is gentle, friendly, sociable, and willing to please. The Braque Francais Pyrenean carries a natural retrieve instinct and loves the water.

Temperament and needs

Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.

  • Affectionate with family3 out of 5
  • Good with young children5 out of 5
  • Good with other dogs5 out of 5
  • Openness to strangers3 out of 5
  • Playfulness3 out of 5
  • Watchdog and protective nature3 out of 5
  • Adaptability3 out of 5
  • Trainability3 out of 5
  • Energy level5 out of 5
  • Mental stimulation needs3 out of 5
  • Barking level3 out of 5
  • Shedding3 out of 5
  • Grooming frequency1 out of 5
  • Drooling2 out of 5

Care

The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.

Nutrition

The Braque Francais Pyrenean does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior.

Some dogs in this breed are prone to gaining weight, so keep an eye on calorie intake and overall condition. Treats are a useful training aid, but too many can lead to excess weight, so use them in moderation. It also helps to learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Check with your vet about any questions on weight or diet, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Grooming

The Braque Francais Pyrenean's short coat is easy to maintain. Weekly brushing to remove loose fur, along with the occasional bath, is usually all it takes to keep the coat looking healthy.

The breed has strong, fast-growing nails, so trim them regularly with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Check the ears often and clean them if you notice a buildup of wax or debris.

Brush the teeth regularly as part of an at-home dental routine, alongside any professional cleanings.

Exercise

This is a high-energy breed that needs plenty of activity. When hunting, the Braque Francais Pyrenean gets all the exercise it needs. On other days, long walks and backyard play, ideally in a fenced yard, keep your dog happy and fit.

Outdoor pursuits like swimming, hiking, and retrieving balls or flying discs give this water-loving breed a good outlet for its energy. Exercise can also move indoors through hide-and-seek, chasing a ball rolled along the floor, or learning new tricks.

Activities such as agility, rally, and competitive obedience burn energy while giving your dog a job to focus on.

Training

The Braque Francais Pyrenean prefers gentle training. These sensitive dogs respond well to positive reinforcement using treats, favorite toys, and plenty of praise.

Beyond obedience and field work, early socialization helps your dog grow into a well-mannered adult. This breed tends to do very well with young children and with other dogs.

Health conditions

1 condition is documented for the Braque Francais Pyrenean.

A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.

Sources

Longevity & Vitality soft chew

Longevity & Vitality is a daily chew built on five active ingredients. Each chew carries Turkey Tail at 600mg, Curcuvet® curcumin at 75mg, Quercefit® quercetin at 40mg, Fibalance® at 275mg and EpiCor® at 50mg. The daily serving follows your dog's weight, from half a chew to three.

Roots Pet Longevity & Vitality pouch of 60 soft chews, a daily multi-benefit supplement for adult dogs