Braque Francais Pyrenean: Info, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts

The Braque Francais Pyrenean, also known as the French Pointer, was born to be a hunting dog, but over the many years of their growing popularity, they have become excellent companion dogs as well. They thrive on human interaction, and they will fit in well with just about any family.

Despite their energetic nature during exercise or when outdoors, your Braque Francais Pyrenean will be relatively calm and reserved when inside.

These are loving, loyal, and highly intelligent dogs, so they are among the easiest dogs to train, and they are bound to bring a lot of love and affection into your family. If you’re considering purchasing a Braque Francais Pyrenean, read on to find out everything you need to know about this beautiful breed.

Braque Francais Pyrenean Puppies

The first and most important thing you need to know before committing to this breed is that they are high-energy and very needy. You should plan to set aside between 60-90 minutes every day to walk or run with your dog, which is true even for puppies. If you aren’t ready for a highly active pooch right from the get-go, the Braque Francais Pyrenean probably isn’t for you.

You should also be aware that these dogs become very attached to their owners, and they can easily suffer from separation anxiety. They love being around their human counterparts and quickly become sad and lonely if left alone for too long. Before bringing one of these puppies home, make sure that you’re welcoming them into an atmosphere where they won’t be alone for long periods while you and your family are at work or school.

You should also be prepared for barking, as Braque Francais Pyreneans have a high tendency to bark or howl. Because these dogs suffer from separation anxiety, they do a lot of their barking when they’re alone — for this reason, they are best suited for homes without noise constraints, and they are not adaptable to apartment life.

Lastly, because these dogs are prone to hip and elbow dysplasia, the healthiest exercise they can get will be on soft ground whenever possible, especially as puppies. While your furry friend’s joints are growing and developing, they are particularly susceptible to these issues, so exercise your puppy on grass or dirt as often as you can.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Braque Francais Pyrenean

1. They don’t make good guard dogs.

Some owners believe that any dog who has a propensity for barking and hunting will make a good guard dog, but Braque Francais Pyreneans are amiable dogs who will quickly befriend just about anyone they meet — not the best quality for a guard dog!

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2. They’re closely related to another breed.

Braque Francais Pyreneans were originally a different breed entirely that was split into two breeds in the 1800s: the Braque Francais Pyrenean and the Braque Français Gascogne. The Pyrenean variety is smaller and more agile. This breed is believed to have hailed from the Pyrenees Mountains in France.

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3. They aren’t recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Even though the original breed has been around since the 15th century, the American Kennel Club (AKC) only allowed them in the Foundation Stock Service in 2016! Lovers of the breed are working on getting them accepted by the AKC officially to this day, but they are recognized by the Canadian Kennel Club.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Braque Francais Pyrenean 🧠

The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a highly intelligent dog that was born to hunt. They have a high prey drive, and they excel at learning and obeying commands, which are both essential qualities in a hunting breed.

These dogs are incredibly loyal and loving, and they thrive on human interaction. They’re very social dogs who get along well with just about anyone they meet.

They are highly energetic outdoors or when on the hunt, but for the most part, they will remain calm and collected when inside. They’re very easy to train, and they’re always eager to please their human counterparts.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Braque Francais Pyreneans make excellent family dogs! They are extremely friendly, and they will get along very well with any member of your family, young or old. They are fantastic with kids, so you’ll never have to worry about how your Braque Francais Pyrenean is getting along with your children. They should be monitored when playing with very young children, but only because their exuberance and energy may lead them to accidentally knocking over small kids.

Braque Francais Pyreneans love human interaction, and you’ll find that they are one of the most social breeds around. They can quickly suffer from separation anxiety, so they do best in homes where there will always be someone around to play with them and give them attention. In fact, they turn to destructive behavior if left alone inside or outside.

They’re also very active dogs who need a lot of daily exercise, so they do well in homes where multiple people can pitch in to tire out your pooch!

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Braque Francais Pyrenean is not a territorial or aggressive dog by any means, so you should have no issues at all with your pooch cohabitating with other dogs. They are friendly toward most other pups, which is true for doggy siblings and unfamiliar dogs they may meet while exercising or at dog parks.

The Braque Francais Pyrenean was bred to be a hunting dog, so you can expect a very high prey drive from them. This means that cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and any other small animal you may have will likely be perceived as prey. As such, these dogs are not recommended for homes with other small pets.

Additionally, this high prey drive will likely lead your pup to want to chase after squirrels, rabbits, or other animals they see outside while on walks or runs. You should always be prepared for a lunging dog, and a sturdy leash and harness are recommended at all times for Braque Francais Pyreneans. Always make sure your gates and fences are closed and secure before letting your pup outside as well.

Things to Know When Owning a Braque Francais Pyrenean

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Braque Francais Pyreneans are medium-sized dogs, but their activity level will produce an appetite more in line with a larger dog. You can expect to feed your pup around 3 cups of dry dog food every day, and you should split this amount into two or three meals. Their diet should include a high-protein commercial food that contains multiple protein sources. An abundance of protein will ensure your dog maintains its energy and lean muscle mass.

As a highly active dog, the Braque Francais Pyrenean is prone to joint issues, so choosing food that includes glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids will help limit their exposure to joint problems and pain later on in their lives.

• Try: 6 Best Dog Foods for Hunting Dogs 

Exercise 🐕

As hunting dogs, you can expect your Braque Francais Pyrenean to be relatively active. You should be comfortable setting aside at least an hour of exercise every day. This activity can include walking, hiking, running, or swimming, and it should be outside of any time spent hunting with your dog. They need dedicated exercise every day regardless of the time they spend hunting.

Because these dogs are brilliant, it’s best to stimulate them mentally in addition to their physical exercise. This can be done by offering them puzzle toys, teaching them advanced tricks and obedience, and giving them a job to do like hunting or cleaning up their toys.

Training 🦮

Braque Francais Pyreneans are often referred to as being “born half-trained” by training experts, so you can already imagine how easy this breed is to train! They are highly intelligent dogs that love to please their owners, and these traits lead to an easily trainable dog, especially for hunting and even by beginners. New, inexperienced dog owners can have a Braque Francais Pyrenean trained nicely in no time at all.

Braque Francais Pyreneans are somewhat sensitive dogs, so they don’t respond well to aggressive training, yelling, or discipline. They do best in training situations where they are rewarded for good behavior rather than reprimanded for bad behavior. They’re easy to train, but they still require the right kind of gentle training to be comfortable and happy with learning commands and tricks.

Grooming ✂️

The Braque Francais Pyrenean is a straightforward dog to groom. These pups have coats that naturally resist dirt, so bathing can be done only two or three times a year. Don’t bathe too frequently, because shampoos and soaps — even those designed for dogs — can deplete their natural and healthy skin oils. They are moderate shedders, and brushing once a week will help cut down on loose hair.

You’ll need to cut your dog’s nails regularly or bring them to a groomer to cut, as active breeds like the Braque Francais Pyrenean are prone to cracked and broken nails, which can lead to infection and pain.

Additionally, you should wipe out your dog’s inner ears once or twice a week to prevent the build-up of dirt and debris, especially if you bring them hunting often. Weekly brushing of their teeth is also recommended to promote proper dental hygiene.

Health and Conditions ❤️

Thankfully, the Braque Francais Pyrenean is generally a very healthy dog with few health problems. Regular vet check-ups are, of course, still recommended about once a year, and you should also be on the lookout for symptoms of more common health problems to get them addressed as quickly as possible.

Male vs Female

For the most part, Braque Francais Pyreneans will be very similar in temperament and behavior regardless of gender. You may find that males have a higher prey drive and therefore get along less with smaller animals and excel more at hunting. Beyond this, both sexes will be about equal in personality and even in size.

Final Thoughts

Braque Francais Pyreneans are beautiful pups that make extraordinary hunting and companion dogs. They fit in well with most humans and other dogs they meet, and their friendliness and sociability make for an excellent family pet.

They are loyal and loving, so they’ll always want to be around their owners, and their willingness to please and a high degree of intelligence mean they will be effortless to train.

As long as you have the time and energy to dedicate to providing your dog with the attention, physical needs, and mental stimulation they need to be happy and healthy, a Braque Francais Pyrenean may be the perfect dog to welcome into your family and home.

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Featured Image Credit to Barna Tanko, Shutterstock