This dog’s FCI standard is essentially a list of differences. It adopts everything from the larger Gascogne type, then specifies what changes in the Pyrenean type: tighter skin, less pendulous lips, almost no dewlap and higher-set ears ending 2 cm before the nose. The result is a handy, rustic, medium-sized pointing dog.
| FCI | Group 7 (Pointing Dogs), Section 1.1 Continental Pointing Dogs, Braque type, Standard No. 134, with working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | France |
| Size (height at the withers) | males 51 to 58 cm, females 49 to 56 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | short, finer and shorter than in the Gascogne type |
| Colours in the standard | as in the Gascogne type: chestnut brown, also with white, heavily white-ticked or with tan markings |
A smaller sibling with its own number
Both French Pointing Dog types come from south-western France and the central Pyrenees. The FCI recognised the Pyrenean type as a separate breed in 1955, one day after the Gascogne type. A genomic study found it clearly genetically distinct, with little admixture. Among the comparison breeds, its closest relatives were the Brittany Spaniel, English Setter, Gordon Setter and Weimaraner (Mastrangelo et al. 2018).
Lighter build, the same job
The standard requires a rustic, sufficiently muscular dog without heaviness. Forequarters and legs are lighter than in the larger relative; the tail is thin and may be naturally short. Excessively heavy or extremely light construction is a fault. The job remains the same, in a handier size. The standard permits a docked or naturally short tail. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act; exceptions apply only in individual cases.
Everyday life together
The standard says nothing about temperament beyond disqualifying aggressive or excessively fearful dogs. Italian researchers assessing 44 dogs for build and hunting behaviour describe intelligence, agility and friendliness; one measured trait was attachment to the hunter (Mastrangelo et al. 2024). Expect a dog wanting to work with you: searching, retrieving, tracking and free running.
Five-minute grooming
The fine short coat is quickly groomed. Claws, feet and ears need more attention after running through thorns and wet grass.
What the genes reveal
We found no reliable study of disease or lifespan; the large UK longevity analysis does not include this breed. Two genomic studies nevertheless reveal something about the breeding population: moderate genetic diversity compared with major breeds and an estimated current effective population size of 51 (Mastrangelo et al. 2018, PLoS One). Inbreeding coefficients based on runs of homozygosity ranged from 0.05 to 0.23 per dog; the authors describe a relatively inbred population but enough diversity remaining for conservation breeding (Mastrangelo et al. 2018, BMC Research Notes). Ask about the litter’s inbreeding coefficient.
For hunting and the countryside
Suitable for hunters and very active homes seeking a medium-sized short-haired dog with genuine hunting ability, and prepared to wait for a puppy.
When to say no
If you want a dog who sleeps through the day indoors or have no time for daily activity, this convenient size soon becomes an unhappy dog.
Still deciding between a pointing dog and a calmer breed? The breed quiz helps organise your wishes; our book “Which Dog REALLY Suits You?” (book in German) goes deeper. For a puppy’s arrival, the Puppy Starter Pack is free. If your Braque already lives with you, a magazine-cover canvas or one of our dog portraits from your own photo gives them a place on the wall.
Further reading
- Weimaraner: the beautiful hunting dog who never clocks off
- The socialisation period: why “as much as possible” is the wrong advice
- Dog pulling on the lead: 5 mistakes almost everyone makes
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI Standard No. 134 Braque Français, Type Pyrénées (fci.be, German version dated 22.09.2023, valid standard published on 01.08.2023); FCI Standard No. 133 Braque Français, Type Gascogne (German version dated 22.09.2023); Mastrangelo S et al., Genomic characterization of the Braque Français type Pyrénées dog and relationship with other breeds, PLoS One 2018; Mastrangelo S et al., Genome-wide diversity and runs of homozygosity in the Braque Français, type Pyrénées dog breed, BMC Research Notes 2018; Mastrangelo S et al., Genome-wide association study for morphological and hunting-behavior traits in Braque Français Type Pyrénées dogs: A preliminary study, Veterinary Journal 2024; McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024.
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