The French Pointing Dog or The French Pointer is one and the same with the Braque Français. Actually, the word “braque” means short haired. This breed was used for hunting by pointing the hunter to the exact location of the shot hares or birds. It remained still until the master could arrive to take the prey.
This breed divides into two types of dogs: the type Gascogne and the type Pyrénées. There are no great differences between them, but they have some particular characteristics. The former is a larger size, and has a thicker coat and longer ears than the latter. The Pyrénées is much quicker, but ten centimeters smaller than the Gascogne.
Generally, the French Pointing Dog is an athletic dog with muscular body. Its lissome constitution helps it to reach high speeds and gives the impression of flying instead of running. This medium sized dog has long legs, long dropped ears and naturally short tail, with some exceptions. The coat is very short and dense, and its predominant color is chestnut brown or white, with large or tiny brown spots.
Usually, its head is entirely brown. Its nose is slightly arched with wide nostrils that help it trace any kind of animal. There are some differences in size between males and females and, as expected, the latter are smaller. The average height of males is 25-28 inches and the one of females is 23-26 inches.
This is a healthy breed that does not require abundant attention. Its short hair makes grooming a pleasure because it needs only occasional brushing. This dog can surely be something else than just a very dynamic pet - it knows how to please its master and to show affection. This graceful dog is not only a runner, but also a gentle and friendly partner.The owner can easily cope with its training due to its intelligence and mental agility.
However, one must evaluate his situation before having this dog, because it needs a lot of space and lots of exercises. Lack of activity transforms it into a destructive pet. It really enjoys long walks and alert activities, and not anybody can offer it this kind of life. Also, because of its instinct of tracing birds, it can be quickly distracted from everyday matters. But once on point, it becomes a lost cause because it cannot be distracted from this. Because it is that energetic, it can harm defenseless people by accident, therefore it is not recommended for small children. The cold and the heat are not very well tolerated, so it needs to stay in warm, mild regions.
The French Pointer is a perfect companion for the ones who have the time and the possibilities of offering it the perfect conditions for a healthy development. Generally, it best suits the active families and persons who are searching for a mixture of a submissive friend and a sports partner. The ideal owner of the French Pointing Dog would be someone who practices hunting from time to time.
