French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean type (Braque Français type Pyrénées)

The French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean type (French Pyrenean Pointer) is an all-round hunting dog with its origin in France. This breed can be trained to perform a wide variety of hunting tasks but it demonstrates an extraordinary hunting prowess in tracking and retrieving upland birds. It earned sizeable following in its homeland but it can be fairly rarely found in other countries.

The French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean type was developed by breeding down in size the French Pointing Dog – Gascogne type in the late XVIII century. At this point against the background of overall urbanisation hunters began to prefer more compact, all-purpose hunting dogs over large, strictly specialised hounds. Such kind of dogs could play the role of suburban pets during the workweek and accompany a hunter on the weekends. To satisfy this emerged demand breeders in the Pyrenees started mating French Pointing Dog – Gascogne type with smaller pointing and scenting dogs. Their work resulted into the creation of a new variety of the French Pointing Dog, which was named after the region where it was initially produced.

The first standard of the French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean type was developed in 1880. By 1920 it was officially recognised as a distinct breed and its further crossing with the French Pointing Dog – Gascogne type was greatly discouraged.

The two World Wars had negative effect on the breed population, which reduced very sharply. Until 70s of the XX century very few specimens of this dog had left its native France. In 1975 the first French Pointing Dog – Pyrenean type was brought to North America and eventually several local breeders initiated their breeding programs. The dog deserved its initial repute in Canada and USA greatly thanks to the article in the dog’s magazine, which was published in 1992 and contained the detailed description of the breed. It was granted recognition of the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2006 under the name Braque Francais de Petite Taille.

The French Pyrenean Pointer’s future is fairly secured in its homeland although it can be rarely found in elsewhere in the world. For example, in North America there are only approximately 200 officially registered breed members. This dog is still predominantly owned for its excellent hunting abilities although lots of individual canines simultaneously play the role of much treasured family companions.

The French Pyrenean Pointer is famed not only for its hunting prowess but it has also acquired the reputation of a docile and loving companion animal. This dog tends to cling to people it loves and craves to always stay in their company. The young member of the breed is maybe too active and frisky to become an acceptable playmate for a toddler. At the same the time well-socialised dog will handle small kids with proper carefulness.

The French Pyrenean Pointer is commonly well-behaved with unfamiliar people. It can display certain amount of shyness or nervousness but these features are well-expressed only in a few lines. It generally becomes an acceptable watchdog because of its observant nature and wariness. It’s not advisable although to charge this dog with responsibilities of a property guardian since its friendliness and credulous character won’t allow it to act aggressively enough if necessary.

The French Pyrenean Pointer is a sociable and good-natured dog, which interacts with other canines with few problems. It will be absolutely happy to share its existence with other dogs but it will be also quite content with the life of a single dog. This breed was originally developed as a highly proficient hunter so it’s characterised with rather strong hunting drive. At the same time the French Pyrenean Pointer has very low level of aggressiveness, as its hunting duties don’t include the necessity to kill a prey. A correctly socialised dog will get on with such household pets as hamsters or cats especially if they have been brought up together. Nevertheless it can be difficult to train this dog to tolerate household birds since it specialises in hunting feathered game.

The most common problems for the breed include:

· canine hip dysplasia;

· elbow dysplasia;

· patellar luxation;

· eye problems;

· pannus;

· demodex mange;

· cleft lip;

· acral mutilation syndrome;

· aortic stenosis.

The French Pyrenean Pointer requires very minimal amount of maintenance. Its short hair should be brushed on a systematic basis but this dog will never need a professional grooming.

Appropriate attention should also be paid to such conventional care practices as nail trimming, ear cleaning and teeth brushing. The breed is an average shedder and more diligent and regular brushing will make this process almost unnoticeable.

The French Pyrenean Pointer’s training won’t consume much of your time because the breed is known to have a kind and biddable disposition. Its supreme trainability also makes it a highly successful participant of various canine sports. The training regimen should be built on the principles of repetitiveness, consistency and strict but somewhat mild handling.

At the same time the French Pyrenean Pointer learns incredibly quickly every command, which applies to performing its original hunting duties. The breed is sensitive to harsh or disrespectful attitude so only mild verbal encouragement and tasty treats must be used in a learning process. Due to complaisant nature of this dog it can be handled even by a novice dog owner.

The French Pyrenean Pointer is a very capable athlete, which should be provided with substantial opportunities to burn its energy excesses. A daily long walk is a must if you want to have a healthy and happy dog. This breed will also enjoy an occasional chance to roam and play in a large securely enclosed area.

Sufficiently exercised breed member will be calm and relaxed indoors and will laze around on the sofa for numerous hours. The French Pyrenean Pointer fits ideally for a casual hunter who prefers to have a sweet-natured household pet and a skilful hunting dog all-in-one. It’s wise to remember that without sizeable amount of physical activity this dog will turn into a nasty creature, destructive, hyperactive and disobedient.