Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed Comparison

Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Braque d'Auvergne - Breed ComparisonBoth Braque d'Auvergne and Petit Bleu de Gascogne are originated from France. Braque d'Auvergne may grow 7 cm / 3 inches higher than Petit Bleu de Gascogne. Braque d'Auvergne may weigh 42 kg / 93 pounds more than Petit Bleu de Gascogne. Both Braque d'Auvergne and Petit Bleu de Gascogne has almost same life span. Braque d'Auvergne may have more litter size than Petit Bleu de Gascogne. Both Braque d'Auvergne and Petit Bleu de Gascogne requires Low Maintenance.

Basic Information

Group:
Gun dog
Working dog
undefined
France
France
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
52 - 58 cm
20 - 23 inches
Height Female:
51 - 61 cm
20 - 25 inches
52 - 58 cm
20 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
48 - 62 kg
105 - 137 pounds
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
43 - 57 kg
94 - 126 pounds
15 - 20 kg
33 - 45 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 10
4 - 7
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Bleu d'Auvergne Braque d’Auvergne Pointer, Auvergne Pointer, Braque du Auvergne, Auvergnese Pointer, Auvergne Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointer, Auvergnese Pointing Dog, Auvergnian Pointing Dog French Pointer (Auvergne), Bleu d’Auvergne, Bleu de Auvergne
None
Colors Available:
balck with white markings or mottled
Mottled black, giving appearance of slate grey or blue
Coat:
short
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate, Constant
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Intelligent, Loving, Outgoing, Social
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

braque d auvergneSometime over 5 centuries ago, in the Cantal Region of France, was born a hunting breed, that might be the real ancestor of today’s pointing hunter dogs. Perhaps the oldest of all pointing gun dog is the Braque d’Auvergne. This breed comes from Central France in the region of Auvergne. This breed was developed prior to written dog breeding records in order to hunt in this region and find, point, flush out and retrieve fowl. This breed is clearly one of if not the oldest breeds in the French Braque. There is no agreement among historians on what breed is the oldest of the European pointing dogs and where they were developed – was it Spain or was it France? It is thought that the Braque Francais Gascogne is the original one of these in the early 1600’s while the Braque d’Auvergne came soon after. Due to the different hunting needs in the different parts of France, the Braque Francais Gascogne was crossed with a lot of other local scent hounds. The Braque d’Auvergne is one of the very oldest of all of these. There are records of the breeds existence in the 1700’s. It is probable that the Braque d’Auvergne was developed by crossing local dogs with Gascogne as well as with the Petit Bleu de Gascogne and the Grand Bleu de Gascogne.

In all of Western Europe, the region of Auvergne is not very populated and has unique geography in that is hilly and has many extinct and eroded volcanoes. A lot of the region is still unpopulated. In this environment, wildlife has flourished, and hunting is successful in providing food for the regions people. This circumstance with an abundance of birds, led to the breeding of the Braque Auvergne to specialize in hunting in this area. The breed is not very popular outside of Auvergne and probably never was. That fact allowed them to be devastated by the Second World War. The Reunion des Amateurs de Braque d’Auvergne (RABA) was started to promote the pure breeding and the protection of the d’Auvergnes. But when Auvergnes was occupied during the war, the slowed breeding of the Braque d ‘ Auvergne almost eliminated the breed. There might have only been about 25 dogs left following the end of the war. These remaining dogs were used to revive the breed, but it is still uncommon, but not rare. Individuals have been imported by other countries including North America. The United Kennel Club (UKC) accepted the breed in 2006 but is not accepted by the AKC (American Kennel Club). The breed is still a working breed and outside of France, very rare.

petit bleu de gascogneThe Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a scenthound dog originating in France where he has always been used as a hunting dog.

The Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a descendant of the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. This dog was developed around the 16th century already, with the numbers of the dog being reduced at the time of the World Wars.

They’re quite well known in France, but not in any other parts of the world. The dog is an official member of the UKC, and it was in 1991 that the dog joined their scent hound group.

Description

braque d auvergne puppy - descriptionThe Braque d’Auvergne is a well built, strong hunting dog with long ears, a large head and a docked tail. His coat is white with black markings and black ears and head. The breed looks a lot like all the other pointing dogs from France. They are medium in stature and has the appearance of a working gundog. He is athletic, muscular and fit. Docking the tail is outlawed in many countries and all of the United Kingdom. In that case the tail is high on the rump and always straight. Their face and head are big for the size of the body and shaped like an oval. With a long muzzle, deep set eyes and a gentle expression, they are kindly and handsome dogs. Their skin is loose but not droopy or wrinkled like hound dogs.

petit bleu de gascogne puppy - descriptionThe Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a medium to large sized dog which stands at between 52 to 58cm in height at the withers and weighs in the region of 18 to 22kg.

In fact, the only difference between the Petit Bleu de Gascogne and the original Bleu de Gascogne is its size. They’re well proportioned dogs and they have lean, muscular bodies. The head is long and slim, the nose black, the expression gentle and unthreatening.

Most times you’ll find a black patch on each side of the head which extends to the ears so that the ears are essentially black. The patch also extends to around the eyes.

The dense, short coat is a typical trademark feature, with the color of the coat being white mottled with black so that the general appearance is a slate blue color. The dog usually has tan eyebrows over each eye. The tail is long and the ears long and floppy.

Temperament:

Kept essentially as a pet today, the Petit Bleu de Gascogne has kept its hunting instincts and is an excellent scent-dog, being able to follow a scent for miles. It is why you want to ensure that as a pet, you take him on regular walks, every day in fact. He just loves to get out, and given the chance to run and chase a scent.

Apart from his hunting skills, he still makes an excellent pet, being loyal and loving with his human family. He is looked upon as being amicable and well-balanced, getting on well with children as well as dogs in the home.

They’re quite laid-back and friendly, so they don’t make particularly good watchdogs. They are independent and intelligent and will respond well to training and socialization.

Characteristics

braque d auvergne dog - characteristicsThis is a gentle, adaptable and obedient breed. With their intelligence and affectionate nature, they make great family dogs and are eager to please their people. Living with other dogs is fine but not with small, prey size animals. The Braque d’Auvergne should never be left alone pets like gerbils and hamsters. They must be socialized to cats as pets and not prey before living with them successfully. They need to work closely with one human partner. They are first and foremost a hunting dog and need some sort of hunting simulation. They are devoted to their families and want to be constantly in their presence. This can lead to separation anxiety if they are left alone too much. They are great with children and need a family.

petit bleu de gascogne dog - characteristicsThe Petit Bleu de Gascogne just loves being outdoors, chasing the scent of something interesting. He is in his element outside as a hunting or tracking dog.

Training and socialization will always be a good idea for these dogs, as once on the scent he may be inclined to ignore your calls and not return easily.

They’re easy-going dogs, loving be around their human family. Provide well for him and you will find that he makes an amicable, loyal and devoted companion.

Health Problems

braque d auvergne puppies - health problemsThe Braque d’Auvergne is a healthy breed but can face some of the same health concerns as other pointers and hunting dogs. The long, droopy ears can get infected easily if wet and need to be cleaned regularly so that food or dirt are not trapped their either. Because of the small gene pool however they may be at risk for several issues. The breeders in France express concerns about possible hip dysplasia and testing is highly recommended. Because they are at risk for other conditions that might not show up until later in life, it is also recommended that they be tested by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) as well as the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

petit bleu de gascogne puppies - health problemsThe Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a healthy dog with no unusual health problems being documented. With good care, he can generally live to be 11, 12 or 13 years of age. Nonetheless it is a good idea to be aware of some of the horrible dog illnesses that can strike, even though it is highly unlikely.

Bloat:

Your Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a deep chested dog and this simply means it can develop bloat. A swollen stomach, lethargy and trying to vomit are just some of the signs of this ailment which can become deadly if not attended to. The stomach can twist with bloat and this is when things get serious.

Ear Infections:

Floppy eared dogs are always at risk of ear infections and these can be painful for your pet. You will notice him scratching at his ears or shaking his head and then its time to investigate further for redness or discharge.

Caring The Pet

Feeding

braque d auvergne dogs - caringThe Braque d’Auvergne needs a high-quality diet fit for a working dog but not too much to make him obese. They are an active breed to choose a formula that is designed for working dogs.

Health issues

Although no studies have been conducted on the Braque d’Auvergne’s health issues there are many conditions that similar breeds are susceptible to and the d’Auvergne might be as well. This includes any of the following:

  • Dysplasia – elbow and hip
  • Cleft Palate or Cleft Lip.
  • Aortic Stenosis (Narrowing of the aorta)
  • Luxating Patella or moving kneecaps
  • PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • Cataracts
  • Demodex/Demodicosis/Demodectic Mange

Exercise and games

This is an active, working dog who needs a lot of stimulation and exercise. The only real appropriate exercise for these dogs is hunting or outings in the woods. He not only needs the exercise, but he also needs to stimulate his sense of smell and his gundog intelligence. He might excel in lure chase or even a form or barn hunt. They certainly could excel at obedience trials and perhaps rally. If you are a weekend hunter then this is the ideal dog for you. They are so easy to train that they surpass other pointers for success with casual hunters. They hunt at a slower pace than many other gundogs. Their intelligence and athleticism lend itself well to agility and flyball also. They need a large (+acres)fenced in area to run and play.

Grooming:

petit bleu de gascogne dogs - caringLuckily the Petit Bleu de Gascogne is a fairly low maintenance dog who will basically require a good brush twice a week to rid him of loose hairs and to keep his coat nice and shiny.

Take the time while brushing him to test for any unusual lumps on his body. Check inside his ears too, because as a floppy eared dog, there can be a build-up of wax, debris and dampness and these can all cause bacteria and an ear infection.

Check his eyes too as well as inside his mouth. He can’t tell you when he’s got terrible tooth ache from a rotting tooth and you need to check for this. Bad teeth can cause all kinds of health issues.

Diet:

There are some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market which have got the vitamins and minerals your pet needs. Some of the lower quality foods have got bad ingredients such as colorants and fillers and these can actually be toxic for your pet.

It’s always wise to add a little bit of home-made food into your pet’s diet and then simple, nutritious foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach can do him the world of good. Just chop it up and add it into the dried kibble every other night when you feed your pet. A bit of raw meat occasionally can also be healthy for him.

Always ensure there’s a bowl of fresh, cool water available to him.

Ensure your pet has a nice comfortable, dry place to sleep.

Never ever leave your pet alone in a hot car.

Make sure your puppy has his puppy vaccines to avoid some life-threatening diseases.

Have your dog spayed or neutered to avoid unwanted puppies.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Braque d'Auvergne vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Braque d'Auvergne vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Braque d'Auvergne vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Braque d'Auvergne vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Braque d'Auvergne vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Braque d'Auvergne vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Braque d'Auvergne vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Braque d'Auvergne vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Braque d'Auvergne vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Braque d'Auvergne vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Braque d'Auvergne vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Braque d'Auvergne vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Braque d'Auvergne vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Braque d'Auvergne vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Braque d'Auvergne vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Braque d'Auvergne vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Braque d'Auvergne vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Braque d'Auvergne vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Braque d'Auvergne vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Braque d'Auvergne vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Braque d'Auvergne vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Braque d'Auvergne vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Braque d'Auvergne vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Braque d'Auvergne vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Braque d'Auvergne vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison