

The Braque Français (type Pyrénées) is a lightning-fast, sensitive Vorstehhund (pointing dog)—bred to tirelessly track game birds in rugged terrain and signal them silently in close cooperation with the hunter. His agility is paired with a sensitivity that makes harsh training methods absolutely off-limits.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde – VBBFL e.V.
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees fits you — including an honest cost estimate per month, per year, and across the dog's lifetime.
At a glance
The essentials — key facts, traits, and health priorities — before you dive deeper.
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Shoulder height
47–58 cm
Weight
18–27 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees, 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
The coat colors that occur in the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
A Braque Français is like a high-performance sports car with extremely sensitive steering—he delivers explosive hunting performance out in the field, but he won't forgive rough handling. If you understand his gentle soul and channel his hunting instincts through smart training, you will get a tireless athlete outdoors and the most cuddly companion indoors.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is a medium-sized dog breed that originated in France in the 19th century. He is known for his elegant appearance and graceful, athletic figure. Its build is rather light, which makes it an agile and fast dog - ideal for its original role as a pointer. Its short, dense coat with a light undercoat offers it protection in various weather conditions. This breed falls under FCI Group 7, which includes pointers.
The character of the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is characterized by its intelligence, adaptability and friendly, amiable temperament. Originally bred for hunting, he has a natural ability to cooperate with humans and a strong desire to please. This makes him a versatile dog that can be used in a variety of roles, from hunting to companionship to family dog. His character is characterized by a mixture of activity and calmness. He is able to adapt to different living conditions and styles and always strives to please his people. He can master both quiet and active phases well. The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is very people-oriented and enjoys being part of the family. He is friendly and open towards people and can get along well with children. His playful and lively nature makes him an excellent playmate for children and other dogs. Despite its hunting history, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees typically does not exhibit excessive hunting or prey-catching behavior, making it a suitable dog for families. However, like any dog, it should be well socialized and familiarized with other animals at an early age. In terms of its ability to stay alone, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees usually shows good adaptability, provided that it has been properly trained and is given sufficient exercise and activity. As a vigilant dog, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees has a keen awareness of its surroundings and is able to recognize potential dangers early. However, he does not tend to be aggressive or overly territorial, making him a pleasant and easy-to-handle companion. Overall, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is a balanced, versatile and friendly dog that can adapt well to different lifestyles and environments. With his intelligence, adaptability and amiable character, he is a loyal friend and companion who makes every day a special experience.
| 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!
Did you know that despite its French origins, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is more popular in North America than in its native France?
The French Braque, Pyrenees type, is a lively and hardworking pointing dog. It is characterized by its keen sense of smell and endurance, making it an excellent hunting companion. These dogs are friendly and affectionate but require consistent training and sufficient activity. The French Braque is well suited for active families and hunters looking for a reliable and versatile dog.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is an adaptable dog that does well in both urban and rural environments. He needs enough exercise and mental stimulation to be happy and balanced. He is also a good family dog and usually gets along well with children. He also gets along well with other dogs and pets provided he has been well socialized.
Loves family life and thrives in a group.
Takes boisterous and affectionate children in its stride.
Actively enjoys the company of other dogs.
City-appropriate with enough exercise and stimulation.
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.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is an intelligent and eager to learn dog. His natural hunting instincts can be encouraged through various activities such as tracking, nose work or agility sports. He responds well to positive reinforcement and reward-based training methods. Despite his energy and enthusiasm, it is important to watch out for over-busyness and to give him enough rest. It is also important to teach him frustration tolerance and impulse control to promote balanced behavior. Early socialization and well-structured training are key factors for successful upbringing.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees' diet should be balanced and nutritious to support its active lifestyle. A diet based on high-quality protein, with healthy carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals is ideal. Portions should be tailored to the dog's age, weight, health and activity level. Regular meals are important to avoid blood sugar fluctuations and digestive problems. When it comes to care, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is quite easy to care for. Its short, dense coat with a light undercoat requires regular brushing, about once a week, to remove dead hair and keep the skin healthy. During the shedding phases, more intensive grooming may be necessary. He is well adapted to the climate in Germany and his fur offers him protection from cold and wet conditions.
| Care Level Minimal effort — occasional brushing and bathing. | Low-maintenance |
| Exercise Needs Working-dog energy that needs burning off every single day. | High-drive |
| 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.
Robust
Health grade
The Braque francais, type Pyrenees is considered a very robust breed, but orthopedic issues such as hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as hereditary eye diseases such as cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy, can occur. The Verein für französische Vorstehhunde – VBBFL e.V. strictly mandates radiographic examinations for breeding to screen for hip dysplasia (HD) with results from A to C and elbow dysplasia (ED) with grades from 0 to 1. A responsible breeder also has the parent animals examined for patellar luxation (PL) and ectropion / entropion. Before buying a puppy, have the official radiographic evaluations for HD and ED as well as the eye examination results of the parent animals presented to you.
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.
With joint-friendly rearing, sufficient exercise, and regular eye check-ups, you lay the foundation for a long, active dog life.
Responsible breeders mandatory X-ray parent animals for hip dysplasia (HD) as well as elbow dysplasia (ED) and additionally test for patellar luxation (PL) and eye diseases.
Note: This health overview is AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. It is for orientation only and does not replace veterinary advice.
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.
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.
Tier 1 reflects the tests Verein für französische Vorstehhunde – VBBFL e.V. actually mandates. Tiers 2 and 3 show how responsible breeders go beyond.
Club standard. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde – VBBFL e.V. requires these tests for breeding approval. Ask any reputable breeder for the results.
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.
A Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees costs around ~€180 per month (€90 – €330, depending on your setup). The first year adds up to roughly ~€4,820 including purchase, equipment and puppy school; across the dog's life (13.5 years) it comes to about ~€31,500.
With surgery cover, running costs come to about ~€170 per month — in return, your share of a major operation drops from several thousand euros to around 20 percent.
Per month
~€180
In the first year
~€4,820
Across the dog's life
~€31,500
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.
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Illustrative imageThe Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees, is one of the oldest pointing dogs in France and has its roots in the southwest of the country. The origins of the breed can be traced back to the 15th century, when it likely descended from early bird dogs that had already been described by Gaston Phoebus. Originally, this dog was bred exclusively for hunting feathered game and small game, distinguishing itself through its outstanding sense of smell and light-footedness. Towards the end of the 19th century, breeders began dividing the Braque Francais into two separate varieties: the larger, heavier Type Gascogne and the smaller, more agile Type Pyrenees. The Type Pyrenees was selectively bred specifically for the demanding, rugged landscapes of the Pyrenees region, resulting in a faster and more maneuverable pointing dog. While the breed is recognized as an independent breed in its French homeland and across the rest of Europe by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the situation is different in the United States. Contrary to widespread assumptions, the Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees, was not officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1997. Instead, the breed has only been recorded there since 2016 in the Foundation Stock Service (FSS), which represents the first step toward potential full recognition in the future. To this day, it is primarily valued as a passionate and enduring hunting dog.
The Braque français, type Pyrénées, was bred as a pointing dog for hunting and is renowned for its agility and keen sense of smell.
France
1500
Owners usually describe the Braque Français (Pyrenean type) as a very gentle, affectionate and low-key housemate. As long as it gets enough physical and mental exercise, owners appreciate how calm it is indoors; many say you barely notice the dog at home. With children it is regularly described as patient and friendly, though more sensitive individuals tend to retreat to a quiet spot when things get too hectic or loud rather than getting wound up.
At the same time, reports stress that this balance at home is closely tied to the right amount of exercise. If the dog doesn't get enough room to run or is left without a job, its lively energy can break through, showing up as frantic behavior, pushiness or restlessness at home.
Sources:wildhueter-st-hubertus.deforum.wildundhund.detackenberg.deroyalcanin.com
Owners and breed experts keep coming back to how sensitive this breed is in training. Unlike some sturdier continental pointers, the Braque Français reacts very strongly to pressure, loud voices or harshness. Owners report that even a sharper tone can leave the dog looking unsure or mentally checking out. Successful handling therefore always rests on kind consistency, patience and positive reinforcement.
Thanks to an inborn desire to cooperate (the "will to please"), these dogs learn very quickly and willingly when approached the right way. Owners name the hunting instinct as the biggest everyday training challenge, though. The dog's focus on its handler usually makes it easy to guide off-leash, but its strong fascination with game trails, birds and anything that moves calls for thorough anti-hunting and recall training from the start.
Sources:wildhueter-st-hubertus.deforum.wildundhund.desabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.net
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is an active dog that needs plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Research the temperament, grooming needs, and space requirements before deciding.
The average life expectancy of a Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees is 12-15 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Braque Francais, Type Pyrenees comes in these colors: Brown, Brown and white, Roan, Brown and tan.
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