35-55 lbs
19-23"
France
The Braque Francais Pyrenean was originally strictly a hunting dog but over the years he has transitioned into a loving family companion. He is not a dominant dog and is extremely eager to please his family. He is a good choice for families with children when he is properly trained. The Braque Francais Pyrenean is not an ideal watchdog since he is not overly territorial and loves everyone he meets. He is a sporting dog and does require plenty of time to exercise. He is not happy when he is relegated to the backyard with no social interaction with his family.
The Braque Francais, as he was referred to until the mid-19th century was originally developed in the 15th century. The Braque Francais Pyrenean is very similar to the Braque Francais Gascogne and until the mid-19th century, the two breeds were considered one. Once the breed was split into two distinct breeds, the Braque Francais Pyrenean was the smaller of the breeds and was mainly found in southwest France and the Pyrenees Mountains. Many researchers claim that since the 15th century, the Braque Francais Pyrenean was crossed with other breeds to develop into an independent breed from the Braque Francais Gascogne. Possible breeds that were used to develop the Braque Francais Pyrenean include the Old Spanish Pointer and the Southern Hound, both breeds are now extinct. The Braque Francais Pyrenean was bred to be smaller, agile and capable of hunting in the high mountainous terrains. He is considered to be a rare breed and there are not many to be found outside of France. The Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) and North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA) were the first clubs to recognize the Braque Francais Pyrenean outside of Europe. The United Kennel Club (UKC) was next to recognize the Braque Francais Pyrenean, although he is referred to as the Braque Francais De Petite Taille. He is allowed to participate in all UKC sanctioned events. In 2016, the American Kennel Club (AKC) began allowing the Braque Francais Pyrenean to be recorded in the Foundation Stock Service. Enthusiasts of the breed are working toward having him submitted into the Miscellaneous Class, which is the next step towards becoming officially recognized by the AKC.
The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a lighter built dog than other French hunting dogs. He has tighter skin that fits close to his body and a short, smooth coat that can be considered fine in texture. The Braque Francais Pyrenean comes in two basic coat colors: chestnut and white or solid chestnut. He has shorter hair on his head, face and legs. Slightly longer hair on his neck is acceptable, although he should not be shown if his coat is too long or dense. The Braque Francais Pyrenean has a broader head and ears that are medium length. His ears when pulled forward towards his nose should never reach the tip of his nose; they should reach just past the eye. His muzzle should somewhat narrow without looking too pointed. His body needs to be slightly longer than his legs and he should have an athletic look to him. An overweight Braque Francais Pyrenean is not healthy and he cannot perform the job in which he was bred.
The Braque Francais Pyrenean is generally a low maintenance dog when it comes to grooming requirements. He should be brushed weekly or at the very least every other week to keep him fresh and clean. Brushing him often will remove any loose or dead hairs and dirt that have accumulated on the dog. He is a mild shedder, grooming regularly will minimize the amount of loose hairs that are seen floating around the house. Use a natural bristle brush when grooming. He does not need to be bathed often, usually only two to three times a year. His nails should be trimmed as needed, usually every two to three weeks. Check his ears weekly for dirt or foul smell. Clean them as needed using a cotton ball and hydrogen peroxide to prevent infections from occurring. Set up a routine dental plan to ensure that he has healthy teeth and gums. Brush his teeth weekly and if necessary, set up a professional teeth cleaning once a year.
The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a typical hunting dog who possesses a high prey drive. However, he can also adapt easily into a family home. He is not a dominant dog when properly trained and is a great choice for a family with children. Small pets, including cats, should be closely watched around the Braque Francais Pyrenean since his prey drive is so high. He will usually get along well with other dogs and generally does not show any dog aggression. He thrives on attention from his family and will not do well if left alone in the backyard without any social interaction. He can become a headache for your neighbors by incessantly barking when alone too long. He can also become destructive and renovate your backyard for you. The Braque Francais Pyrenean does require early socialization to ensure he is a mellow, happy family companion. Once he has his entire puppy vaccinations, a puppy training class is ideal for him to learn manners and socialize with people and other puppies.
Written by Darlene Stott
Published: 10/04/2017, edited: 02/24/2021
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