French Braques
The Braque
d'Auvergne
 This
is a rare and a beautiful working gundog that finds its roots in Auvergne region
of South Central France. The breed may have originated there or possibly have
been introduced there during the Napoleonic. period. The word ‘braque’ means to
point so the literal translation of the breed is “pointing dog from the Auvergne
Region.”
The coloration of this dog can be black and white or charcoal and
white with some flecking. The head is mostly black or charcoal and demonstrates
the characteristics of a hound’s head. The breed generally has the tail docked
to prevent damage when hunting.
Like
all gundogs of this region the Auvergne is expected to not only hunt but also
act as a pointer and a retriever.
The Braque Francais
 The
word ‘braque’ means pointer and there are two native French pointers, the Braque
Gasgogne and the Braque
Pyrenees. They are both referred to as the Braque Francais but the smaller of
the two is the variety from the Pyrenees in southern France. The smaller dog is
faster over the ground than the Braque Gasgogne but both perform the same role
in the shooting field.
The breed is
similar to the German shorthaired pointer but their owners claim that they are
must steadier, less headstrong and easier to train than the German Short-haired
pointer. Like the GPS they are considered as hunt, point and retrieve dogs but
also have the ability to track larger ground game through heavy wooded country.
Unlike many of the
European HPR breeds of gundogs, the Braque Francais works at close quarters and
will not range as much as other pointing breeds. Once again, this can be see
as a distinct advantage when working heavily wooded countryside.
 Braque du Burbonnais
This
handsome pointing dog originates from Central France where partridges and
pheasants are the main quarry species. It is a breed that has virtually no tail
at birth and in stature, resembles the German pointing breeds with which is has
a common ancestor.
The colours range from strong liver or roan, to a
liver, orange and white. Often the ears are a solid liver colour.
The Braque St-Germain
 In
size and shape there are similarities in the Braque St-Germain and the pointer,
referred to as the English pointer. There is a common ancestry in the two
breeds and the actions in the field of both dogs is very similar.
The St Germain is also referred to as
the Compiegne pointer in certain areas of its native country, France. Its coat
is short and thick yet very fine. Upland game birds are its main quarry but
this breed like its English cousin, is at home on the wetlands of the French
coastal plain.
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European
Gundogs