

The Braque Saint-Germain is an elegant, sensitive pointing dog — bred for enduring, wide-ranging searches and pointing out game birds. A thoroughbred hunter that is a gentle family member at home, but needs a real job when outdoors.
How the health grade is calculated
Sources for required breeding screenings. Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Self-check
Answer 6 quick questions about your everyday life and see how well the Braque Saint-Germain 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
12–14 yrs
Shoulder height
54–62 cm
Weight
18–27 kg
Practical
Temperament
Daily life
What matters most
Especially with a Braque Saint-Germain, 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 Saint-Germain — including which ones fall outside the breed standard and which carry genetic risk.
Eye colors
Coat type
The real vibes check
Indoors, the Braque Saint-Germain lies like a soft, needy cushion on the sofa — but as soon as he sees an open field, he switches on his hunting mode. You won't get a cozy follower, but a highly specialized athlete who wants to work with you at a distance. If you channel this hunting passion instead of suppressing it, you will have the most loyal partner by your side.
The Braque Saint-Germain, also known as the Saint Germain Pointing Dog, is a medium-sized dog with a sturdy but elegant build. His posture is proud and his movements are fluid, highlighting his great energy and vitality. The head is well proportioned with a medium-length, straight nose and medium-sized, oval eyes that are light amber in color. Its ears are medium long and hanging, slightly rounded at the tips. This dog belongs to FCI Group 7, which includes pointers. These dogs are characterized by their exceptional sense of smell and are known for their ability to locate and indicate prey by standing and pointing their noses in the direction of the prey.
The Braque Saint-Germain is an energetic and dynamic dog with a strong hunting instinct. He was bred as a hunting dog and his pointing skills are remarkable. He is not a specialized hunting dog, but rather a so-called all-rounder who works in fields, forests and water. Although he is an avid hunter, he is not prone to excessive prey drive, making him easier to manage than some other hunting dogs. He is very people-oriented and loves spending time with his family. Although he is an active breed, he is mostly calm and balanced indoors as long as he gets enough exercise and activity. He can easily learn to stay alone as long as it is practiced gradually and with positive reinforcement. The Braque Saint-Germain is an intelligent dog that enjoys learning and mastering new tasks. He is also very playful and enjoys interactive games and activities. He can get along well with other dogs and pets as long as he has been properly socialized. This dog is also known for its alertness. Although he is not a typical guard dog, he will alert his family if he notices anything unusual. However, he is not an aggressive dog and is not prone to barking for no reason. He has good adaptability and can live in different environments as long as his needs are met. He can live well in both an urban and rural environment, although he needs enough space to run and play. His adaptability, combined with his intelligence and desire to please, make him a pleasant companion for both hunters and active families.
| Watchfulness Reports unusual activity but stays controlled. | Moderate |
| Openness to Strangers Warms up quickly and is generally welcoming. | Friendly |
| Hunting or Herding Drive Powerful instinct that can override recall when triggered. | Strong |
Fun Fact!
Did you know that the Braque Saint-Germain is also known as the "Saint Germain Pointing Dog" and takes its name from the royal French nursery "Saint Germain en Laye" where the breed was developed in the 19th century?
The Braque Saint-Germain is a lively and hardworking pointing dog, specially bred for hunting. It is characterized by its endurance, keen sense of smell, and good trainability. These dogs are friendly and affectionate but require consistent training and sufficient activity. The Braque Saint-Germain is well suited for active families and passionate hunters.
The Braque Saint-Germain is an active and lively dog that needs a lot of exercise and activity. Therefore, he is not necessarily the best choice for indoor-only keeping in the city, unless you are able to provide him with plenty of daily exercise. He gets along well with children and is also compatible with other pets as long as he is properly socialized.
Lives for its family — the born family companion.
Extraordinarily patient and loving — a true family dog.
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 Saint-Germain is an intelligent and docile dog that responds well to positive reinforcement. He needs consistent and loving upbringing in order to develop his full potential. Because of his predisposition to hunt, training should begin in puppyhood and topics such as recall and walking on a leash should be given high priority right from the start. It is important to exercise this dog both physically and mentally, otherwise he may develop undesirable behavior. However, this dog also runs the risk of becoming a “ball junkie,” so playing with the ball should be controlled and done in moderation. Instead, other activities, such as tracking or playing fetch, could be a good alternative. Good frustration tolerance and impulse control are also important aspects of raising a Braque Saint-Germain. These skills help him deal better with challenges and be a well-balanced dog.
Your Braque Saint-Germain's diet should be balanced and nutritious to support his active lifestyle. High-quality food that contains sufficient protein and healthy fats is ideal. It is important to avoid being overweight as this can put additional stress on the joints and increase the risk of hip and elbow dysplasia. When it comes to care, the Braque Saint-Germain is quite easy to care for. He has a short, dense coat with no undercoat that requires minimal grooming. Regular brushing helps remove loose hair and keeps the coat clean and healthy. This dog does not shed excessively, however, like most dogs, he has a seasonal shedding period in which shedding can be more severe. It is well adapted to the climate in Germany and has no special needs in terms of temperature or humidity.
| 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.
Robust
Health grade
The Braque Saint-Germain is considered a very robust breed, but as with many hunting dogs, hip dysplasia (HD) and elbow dysplasia (ED), as well as dental misalignments, require targeted attention. Responsible breeders in the Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL) therefore only use parent animals that meet strict criteria. Before buying a puppy, you should ask to see the official findings: Hip results from HD A to HD B (HD C only with restrictions), elbow findings from ED 0 to ED 1, as well as an unremarkable dental and bite evaluation are mandatory for breeding.
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, a healthy weight, and regular eye and heart check-ups, most of these dogs remain fit and active well into old age.
Responsible breeders test for hip dysplasia (HD), elbow dysplasia (ED), and examine the dentition through dental and bite evaluation in order to specifically avoid joint problems and malocclusions.
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 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.
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: result on file
Dental and bite evaluation
Required by Verein für französische Vorstehhunde e.V. (VBBFL)
Acceptable result: normal
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.
A Braque Saint-Germain 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 years) it comes to about ~€30,440.
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
~€30,440
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.
HonestDog Concierge
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Illustrative imageThe Braque Saint-Germain is a French breed that emerged in the mid-19th century. The breed comes from a cross between English pointer dogs and an Old French pointer breed. King Charles X of France received as a gift two English pointers crossed with his French pointers. These dogs showed excellent hunting skills and the result of this crossing was the birth of the Braque Saint-Germain. The breed was officially recognized in 1913. It is quite common in France and other European countries, particularly among hunters, but remains largely unknown outside of Europe.
The Braque Saint-Germain was bred as a hunting pointer and is known for its elegance and good sense of smell.
France
1800
Owners describe the Braque Saint-Germain as a very gentle, devoted and even-tempered companion in daily life. At home, the breed often stands out for how calm it is; compared with other continental pointers or Pointers, many owners point to a much less nervous or high-strung temperament. With family members, and especially children, it is very patient and friendly, wants to stay close and would rather be part of everything.
This calm at home, however, depends on the dog getting enough physical and mental exercise. Owners consistently report that walks around the block are nowhere near enough. If the dog isn't used for hunting, owners call for regular substitute work such as dummy training, tracking or scent work, since the Saint-Germain wants to use its fine nose. Without enough to do, it can become restless indoors or head off hunting on its own outside.
Sources:zoomalia.decentrale-canine.frsabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.netreddit.commarkt.de
On training, owners and hunters highlight the breed's strong willingness to cooperate and what they call its "handler focus." The Braque Saint-Germain learns quickly and has a strong desire to please (the "will to please"). While searching and off-leash, it usually keeps eye contact with its person on its own and naturally works as a partner instead of charging off heedlessly.
At the same time, experienced owners warn firmly against harshness or loud pressure: the Braque Saint-Germain is known as a very sensitive dog. Faced with a gruff tone or aversive methods, it quickly withdraws, unsure of itself, and stops cooperating. Owners name impulse control around game scent as the main everyday challenge. Although its hunting drive is described as more biddable and controllable than in many other pointers, a reliable recall takes consistent training based purely on positive reinforcement, starting in puppyhood.
Sources:zoomalia.desabinemiddelhaufeshundundnatur.netmarkt.deedogs.dezooroyal.de
Owners generally value the Braque Saint-Germain as a robust, old-type hunting breed that is not very prone to the effects of overbreeding. The short coat is very easy to care for and only needs an occasional brushing. Owners do note, however, that the fine, close-lying coat has almost no undercoat. As a result, some dogs feel the cold in wet, chilly weather or when they have to stay still for long periods, and they need to be dried off quickly after working in damp terrain.
Owner and breeder reports name the drooping ears as a recurring weak spot. Because the ear canal gets little air and these dogs love to push through tall grass, thick cover or water, some are prone to ear infections or a buildup of dirt, so regular checks are needed. Since this is a very rare breed with a narrow breeding base, dedicated owners also advise being meticulous about choosing healthy bloodlines (especially with regard to hip dysplasia) when getting a dog.
Sources:zoomalia.detoutoupourlechien.comguter-hund.dereddit.compeqaboo.com
Paraphrased from real owner reports · translated from German
The Braque Saint-Germain 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 Saint-Germain is 12-14 years. With proper care and regular vet visits, your dog can live a long, healthy life.
Braque Saint-Germain grooming requirements include regular brushing, nail trimming, and dental care. HonestDog provides detailed grooming tips for every breed.
The Braque Saint-Germain can be a great family dog. Proper training and socialization are key. HonestDog provides family suitability information for every breed.
The Braque Saint-Germain comes in these colors: White, Orange, Fawn, Piebald.
Showcase your kennel on HonestDog and reach families searching for a responsibly bred Braque Saint-Germain.