Auvergne Pointer (Braque d'Auvergne)

Black head, white-patched body, speckled in some dogs and greyish in others: the Auvergne Pointer’s coat stands out first. The FCI standard even says the breed preserved its distinct identity through the coat. Beneath it is a pointing dog expected to last a whole day over rough ground.

A hunter from Cantal

The standard places the breed in Cantal for more than two centuries. It shares the common roots of pointing dogs and arose through selection possibly involving the Knights of Malta, according to the English version. Created by hunters for hunters. Related types include the Bourbonnais Pointing Dog (Braque du Bourbonnais) and the Ariege Pointing Dog (Braque de l'Ariège).

Two forms of patching

The base colour is black with white patching, extensive or sparse. The standard distinguishes speckled and greyish types only to separate dogs otherwise equal in merit. A white blaze is desirable on the black head and may extend along the sides of the muzzle. Reddish markings, a burnt-bread shade, absence of speckling and solid black or solid white coats disqualify.

Affectionate, with a job to do

Gentle, very affectionate, intelligent and docile: that is the standard’s temperament description, expressly calling the breed suitable for family life. Training should chiefly develop natural abilities, including a highly developed sense of smell. Hunting uses a medium-paced, steady, slightly rocking gallop. That endurance needs long searches, retrieving and tracking, or something is missing.

Short coat, a close eye on eyelids

The glossy short coat needs little: a rubber grooming mitt, with ear and paw checks after undergrowth. The standard places great emphasis on eyelids. Entropion, ectropion and even evidence of corrective surgery disqualify, as do yellow, so-called bird-of-prey eyes. A shortened tail may measure 15 to 20 cm; undocked, it should not extend beyond the hock. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act. The tail therefore remains undocked here.

Limited research

We found no reliable study of disease or lifespan in the Auvergne Pointer. McMillan and colleagues’ British longevity analysis lists the breed without a separate value. How often eyelid defects actually occur has not been studied; the strict standard describes a breeding aim rather than prevalence. Ask to see both parents’ health results before choosing a litter.

Who benefits from this breed, and who does not

Active people, ideally licensed hunters, seeking an affectionate indoor dog and an enduring outdoor searcher. The standard’s family suitability assumes enough daily activity. Those with little time, no nearby open ground or wanting a dog to fit around everything else should choose differently. An Auvergne Pointer without a job finds one, rarely the one you hoped for.

Before committing to a hunting dog, try the breed quiz; our book provides more background for the decision: “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). After arrival, there is the Puppy Starter Pack free of charge. For the distinctive black-and-white face already living with you, choose a dog portrait poster in a wooden frame or an instant-download digital artwork.

Further reading

• Weimaraner: the handsome hunting dog who never clocks off
• The first 30 days with a puppy: a plan for weeks 1 to 4
• Calculating your dog’s food portions: how much your dog really needs

Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 180 Braque d'Auvergne (fci.be, German version dated 12.05.2004, English version dated 02.04.2004, valid original standard dated 24.03.2004); McMillan KM et al., Longevity of companion dog breeds: those at risk from early death, Scientific Reports 2024 (breed listed but not analysed).

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