Why I Chose a Braque Français
With Pacific CoordinatHer Ashley Hisey
When I started researching breeds for my first purpose-bred dog, I knew I wanted a dog from the Sporting Group. At the time, I had no plans to actually hunt with the dog, but I liked the general size, temperament, and energy that many Sporting breeds bring to the table.
As I scrolled through the various breeds, I knew I wanted something shorthaired for easy maintenance and more medium-sized. I remember feeling a little intimidated by the higher energy levels of some breeds in the group, such as the German Shorthaired Pointer. While looking through photos on the AKC website, I came across a new-to-me breed called the Braque Français. It had a differently shaped head and appeared slightly smaller than its German counterpart.
I loved that it was a French breed with what my research described as a decidedly calmer disposition. I majored in French in college and was a bit of a Francophile at the time, so that certainly added to the appeal. The breed sounded like an overall great fit for someone new to high-energy bird dogs.
I began researching breeders for both German Shorthaired Pointers and Braques and quickly became overwhelmed by the number of breeders available for the much more popular, fully AKC-recognized GSP. It was easier to narrow down my choices for reputable Braque breeders. One breeder was more open to placing a puppy in a non-hunting but sporty home and had a litter that matched the timeline I was looking for. That was that. Deposit paid!
Though I was initially hesitant, and to be honest, somewhat intimidated, to try hunting dog events and sports, I was curious to see what Peaks’s natural instincts around birds looked like. He had already been pointing his puppy toys when they rolled to a stop, as well as various birds we saw at local parks.
I’ll never forget the day I brought him to a local gun dog trainer and saw his first scent point on pigeons. Like many other first-time bird dog owners, it was all downhill from there.
The Braque Français has been a perfect fit for my first hunting breed. Peaks was a very easy puppy to raise and, true to the breed standard, he has a natural off switch outside of the field. He has been a great gateway dog into the world of bird hunting.
I absolutely adore the Braque’s unique, English-inspired head shape. The breed is calm, sensitive, intelligent, and capable of hunting birds all day. In my experience, they also seem less prone to some of the widespread behavioral and health problems seen in certain other sporting breeds.
If any of this appeals to you, the Braque Français could be a great fit for your next hunting partner.