Braque Francais, Type PyreneesClose relative
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Braque Francais, Type Gascogne
Health grade A- Shoulder height56–69 cm
- Weight25–32 kg
- Life expectancy12–15 yrs
- Puppy price1,200–2,500 €
- Energy4/5
The essentials at a glance
The Braque français (type Gascogne) is a sensitive, powerful Vorstehhund (pointing dog)—bred to track game in close cooperation with humans and indicate it by standing perfectly still. His gentle nature at home easily masks his enormous willingness to work in the field.
- Health grade A: The Braque francais, type Gascogne is considered a robust hunting dog breed, but its musculoskeletal system can be affected by hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED).
- You want to incorporate scent work, dummy training, or tracking into your daily routine—a simple walk is not enough to tire out this specialist.
- You lead with quiet, confident consistency, as this breed is extremely sensitive and will immediately shut down under harshness or loud pressure.
- You expect him to simply ignore fresh tracks in the woods—he was bred specifically to find and focus on exactly those scents.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Self-check
Would the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne really fit your life?
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Similar Breeds
Braque d'AuvergneSame FCI section
German Shorthaired PointerSame FCI section
Braque Saint-GermainSame FCI section
Bracco ItalianoSame FCI section
Is the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne right for you?
At a glance
Braque Francais, Type Gascogne overview
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
56–69 cm
Weight
25–32 kg
Practical
- Puppy price: 1,200 – 2,500 €
- Coat: Short and dense, undercoat present
- Origin: France
Temperament
Energy
Trainability
Family fit
With kids
Daily life
Care effort
Shedding
Barking
City-friendly
Guard instinct
What matters most
Especially with a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne, choosing the right breeder is the single most important decision you'll make. Serious breeders consistently test the parents for inherited conditions, prioritize healthy early socialization, and stay accountable long after handover. A cheap puppy without health screening tends to become the most expensive dog later on.
See HonestDog breeder standards →Colors & coat
What colors does the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne come in?
The coat colors that occur in the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Brown
Amber
Coat type
Short
Smooth
Double coat
Perfect for you if:
- You live in the countryside or have direct access to vast nature where he can fully embrace his expansive gallop.
- You are looking for a gentle companion who bonds closely with his family and loves cuddles just as much as he loves working.
Less ideal if:
- You are out of the house for long periods every day and are looking for a dog that will patiently wait on the sofa for hours on end.
- You are looking for an undemanding 'sidekick' for city life that requires no special mental or physical tasks.
- You want a vigilant protector for your property—he is generally far too friendly toward people for that job.
The real vibes check
A Braque français is a focused athlete outdoors and a cuddly shadow indoors. He freezes into a perfect statue in the field as soon as he catches a scent, only to curl up on your lap in the evening. You aren't getting a stubborn order-follower, but a sensitive colleague who demands genuine teamwork and will give you his whole heart in return.
Breed Profile
The Braque Francais, type Gascogne is a powerfully built dog with a harmonious physique and robust appearance. He belongs to FCI group 7, the pointers. Compared to its smaller relative, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees, the Gascony type has a stronger and more massive stature. The head is large and broad with a pronounced stop and a long, broad nose. The ears are medium sized, wide and drooping. The eyes are usually dark brown and display an intelligent and friendly expression. The back is broad and muscular, the stomach is slightly tucked up. The tail is traditionally shortened, although this practice is banned in some countries. The skin is thick and loose-fitting to the body, often with wrinkles on the neck and head.
All measurements in detail
- Height
- 56 - 68 cm (Female), 58 - 69 cm (Male)
- Weight
- 25 - 32 kg (Female), 25 - 32 kg (Male)
- Life Expectancy
- 12 - 15 yrs
- Character
- Friendly, adaptable, persistent
- Coat
- Short and dense, undercoat present
- Coat Color
- Typically white with dark spots
- Price
- 1200 - 2500 €
Character & Temperament
The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is a highly intelligent and adaptable dog, well suited to a wide range of activities, both work-related and family life-related. The breed is characterized by its gentle and friendly character, which makes them excellent family dogs. They are people-oriented and show deep affection and loyalty to their owners. Although the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is an active and energetic dog, he is generally calm and balanced around the house. This breed is known for its ability to adapt well to various living conditions. They can be happy in both the city and the country as long as they get enough exercise and mental stimulation. The Braque Francais, type Gascogne is a natural hunter and shows a pronounced pointing behavior as well as a strong prey drive. However, despite their passion for hunting, these dogs can learn to get along with smaller pets in the home if they are trained to do so from an early age. It is important to note that due to their hunting instincts, a safe, fenced area is essential for them when they are outside. The Gascon is a vigilant and attentive dog, making him a good watchdog. He will likely bark to warn his family when strangers approach the house, but is typically not aggressive. This breed can also learn to stay alone as long as this is not for too long periods and they are given adequate exercise and activity. Overall, the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is a versatile, loyal and loving dog that can excel both as a working dog and as a loyal family companion. With enough exercise, mental stimulation and loving companionship, this friendly and adaptable dog is sure to be a valuable and loved part of any family.
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive This drive runs deep — no amount of training eliminates it. | Very strong |
Fun Fact!
Despite its French origins, the Braque Francais, Type Gascon breed is relatively rare in its homeland, while it is becoming increasingly popular in North America!
What Awaits You
The French Braque, Gascogne type, is a lively and enduring pointing dog. It is characterized by its excellent nose and strong hunting instinct. These dogs are friendly, eager to learn, and require a lot of exercise as well as mental stimulation. The French Braque is especially suitable for active families and passionate hunters.
Housing & Care
The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is an adaptable dog that can get along well in both the city and the country as long as it gets enough exercise. This breed is child-friendly and can get along well with other pets, especially if they have been socialized from an early age.
- Family Friendly
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Ideal family dog - Child Friendly
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
Excellent with children - Dog Friendly
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
Dog-friendly - City Friendly
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
Manageable in cities
Owning a dog is a privilege, but it's also a real responsibility. Before you bring one into your life, be honest with yourself about the commitment it takes.
Training & Education
These intelligent, eager-to-learn dogs require consistent but loving training. Because of their work history, they have a natural desire to please and accomplish tasks, which makes training easier. They are ideal for dog sports such as agility, obedience and rally obedience. The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne needs lots of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy and balanced. It is important to find a good balance and make sure that the dog does not become overly busy. Games and exercises that use the natural instinct to hunt, such as retrieving or tracking, can be particularly satisfying.
Nutrition & Care
The diet of a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne should be balanced and tailored to the dog's specific needs. An active, working dog needs more calories than a less active house dog. Puppies require special nutrition for their rapid growth. When it comes to care, the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne has a short, dense coat with an undercoat that is relatively easy to care for. Regular brushing helps remove dead hair and keeps skin healthy. This breed can tolerate the German climate well, although it may require a coat in the winter. They tend to shed more during shedding periods.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Needs several hours of serious exercise every day. | Very active |
| Shedding Regular shedding — dog hair on clothes is now normal. | Moderate |
| Trainability Picks up commands quickly and wants to please. | Eager to learn |
Our experts are still reviewing this information. Spotted something wrong? Email us at info@honestdog.de.
Health & hereditary diseases
Health
A
Robust
Health grade
The Braque francais, type Gascogne is considered a robust hunting dog breed, but its musculoskeletal system can be affected by hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED). In addition, attention must be paid to dental and bite evaluations to avoid malocclusions. A health-oriented breeder will have their breeding dogs x-rayed and thoroughly evaluated for these risks before mating. When buying a puppy, make sure you are presented with official records showing an HD rating of A to C and ED findings of grade 0 to 1.
Grade is relative to other breeds — AI-assisted and editorially reviewed.
Methodology and data: HonestDog Dog Breed Health Report 2026
What matters most for this breed
Tap any item to see details.
In daily life this can mean
With joint-friendly rearing, a healthy weight, and occasional eye check-ups, you are laying the best foundation for your dog to remain active and pain-free for a long time.
The breeder's role
Responsible breeders mandatorily test parent animals for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and conduct dental and bite evaluations to prevent severe joint problems.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Health risks for this breed
What matters most for this breed — what's common, how much it affects the dog's life, and how to protect yourself as a buyer.
2
Risks tracked
2
Club standard
2
High severity
Elbows & front leg
Most affected area
Where this breed is vulnerable
Tap a body region to see the inherited conditions linked to it.
The three most important risks
Pick a region on the map to explore other areas.
severemoderatemild
How thoroughly does the breeder test?
Tier 1 reflects the tests Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) actually mandates. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Club standard. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) requires these tests for breeding approval. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
Other breeding-approval requirements
Not health tests, but required for breeding: the club asks for these results too. They don't count toward the risks or the rating.
DNA-Identitätsnachweis
Required by Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Acceptable result: nicht angegeben
Dental and bite evaluation
Required by Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Acceptable result: nicht angegeben
No entries in this tier.
No entries in this tier.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
Costs & where to find one
How much does a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne cost?
A Braque Francais, Type Gascogne costs around ~€190 per month (€100 – €350, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,910 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€32,740.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€190 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€190
In the first year
~€4,910
Across the dog's life
~€32,740
Estimated purchase price from a breeder: €1,200 – €2,500
Estimate at a mid-range setup (suburban, dry food, 1–2 hours of daily exercise), average German prices, as of July 2026.
Calculate your personal costs1-minute self-check with your own answers
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Appearance, variants & origin
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Illustrative imageHistory
The full history
The Braque Francais is one of the oldest pointing dog breeds and can trace its history back to the Middle Ages. The Gascogne type, also known as the Large French Pointer, comes from the Gascony region in southwest France. The exact origin of the breed is unknown, but it is believed to have descended from ancient hunting dogs from the region, possibly crossed with pointing dogs introduced by hunters and falconers from other parts of Europe. The breed has been refined over the centuries through selective breeding, with an emphasis on hunting ability and work ethic. The breed was first recognized in 1897 by the Société Centrale Canine, the French Kennel Club. Today the breed is still relatively popular in France, particularly among hunters, but is rarely seen outside of its native country.
Original Use
The Braque français, Gascon type, was bred as a pointer for hunting and is known for its robustness and good sense of smell.
Origin
France
Date
1500
Owner experiences
Many owners and breeders describe life with a Braque Français (Gascogne type) as remarkably harmonious, but they stress a clear contrast…Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
Many owners and breeders describe life with a Braque Français (Gascogne type) as remarkably harmonious, but they stress a clear contrast between indoors and out. In the field or out hunting, the dog shows a strong drive to find game, plenty of speed and real eagerness to work. At home, it usually turns into a very calm, almost unobtrusive companion. These dogs often seek out close contact with their people, ask to be petted and sleep away the rest of the day in the living room.
Owners consistently describe the breed as very patient, friendly and good-natured in family life and with children. Although alert, these dogs show no unwarranted sharpness or aggression toward visitors. At the same time, experienced owners point out that this calm at home doesn't come automatically: a dog that lacks plenty of sustained exercise and meaningful work can become restless indoors. For that reason, owners generally see the breed as a poor fit for life as a pure companion dog in the city.
Sources:tackenberg.devbbfl.dereddit.commarkt.deforum.wildundhund.de
In reports on training, handlers single out the high sensitivity of these French pointers above all.Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
In reports on training, handlers single out the high sensitivity of these French pointers above all. Compared with many German hunting breeds, the Gascogne type reacts very strongly to harsh training methods, raised voices or rough pressure. Owners report that a dog spoken to too sharply quickly becomes unsure, withdraws or stops cooperating altogether.
What works best is calm consistency, patience and positive reinforcement. Because the breed has a strong "will to please" and bonds closely with its handler, it learns quickly and works willingly. One of the biggest everyday training tasks, though, is managing its natural hunting instinct. Game trails and feathered game pull hard on the dog's attention, so owners describe solid recall and long-line training as essential, along with a controlled outlet through tracking or dummy work.
Sources:tackenberg.devbbfl.deforum.wildundhund.dewelpen.vdh.desabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.net
Owners and breed experts describe the Braque Français, Gascogne type, as a robust, long-lived old breed that hasn't been overbred to extr…Summarized from publicly shared owner experiences
Owners and breed experts describe the Braque Français, Gascogne type, as a robust, long-lived old breed that hasn't been overbred to extremes. According to owners' accounts, vet visits beyond routine checkups and vaccinations are rare. As with other large hunting breeds, breed clubs and owners name hip and elbow screening (HD/ED) as the main points of preventive care.
The short coat is very easy to look after and doesn't pick up much dirt. According to owners, the drooping ears need the most attention: after outings through dense vegetation or work in the water, they have to be checked regularly for inflammation or foreign bodies. A few owners also point out that, given their high activity level and deep chest, these dogs should always rest after meals to reduce the risk of bloat (gastric torsion).
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
FAQ & more
Is a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne the right dog for me?
The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
How long does a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne live?
The average life expectancy of a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
How much grooming does a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne need?
Braque Francais, Type Gascogne grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
Is a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne good for families with children?
The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
What colors does the Braque Francais, Type Gascogne come in?
The Braque Francais, Type Gascogne comes in these colors: Brown, Brown and white, Roan, Spotted, Brown and tan, Tricolor.
Are you a Braque Francais, Type Gascogne breeder?
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Braque Francais, Type Gascogne.