The precise origins of the Auvergne Pointer are not clearly determined. This dog has been around for many years and was most likely developed in Auvergne, more precisely in the Cantal region, in central France.

Already in the seventeenth century, to satisfy your needs, French hunters tried to cross and develop short, smooth-haired Pointer breeds, comúnmente conocidos como “pointers” (the term “pointer” comes from the vocabulary of hunting and means “point”).

The Braque Francais is considered his ancestor, pero sus propios orígenes son inciertos. In any case, It has been proven that it was the origin of the development of different races of Braques desarrolladas en todas las regiones del país, some of which gained in popularity, as the French Pointing Dog - Gascogne type or the French Pointing Dog - Pyrenean type . In Cantal, la cría selectiva dio lugar al Auvergne Pointer.

Según algunos historiadores, the Auvergne Pointer is one of the oldest, with the exception of his own Braque Francais. However, contradictory assumptions have been made about it.

Según Jean Servier, former president of the Club of French braques and author of the World Dog Encyclopedia 1971, it is a cross between the Braque Francais, the Gascony type French Pointer and the Pyrenees French Pointer.

On the other hand, según David Hancock, historian of dog breeds and author of the book The Heritage of the Dog, published in 1990, it is said to come from an imported breed when the Knights of the Order of Malta passed through Auvergne in the 16th century. Los soldados de allí desarrollaron un perro cerca del Auvergne Pointer, which is said to descend. There is no consensus on this hypothesis, but nevertheless it is accepted by certain organizations such as the Réunion des Amateurs du Braque d’Auvergne (RABA), the official breed club created in 1913.

Aunque los orígenes del Auvergne Pointer remain relatively unclear, la mayoría de los especialistas coinciden en cualquier caso en que su desarrollo se remonta a principios del siglo XVIII.

In the early 20th century, almost every, If not all, the Auvergne Pointer they were in france. The breed was relatively rare, although among their owners they were highly appreciated for their hunting qualities, especially for game birds. In fact, el trabajo de cría que llevó a su desarrollo le dio un excelente estilo y una gran resistencia, allowing you to follow long tracks in forests or dense vegetated terrain. They are also versatile: are able to get, track back, aim and bring the hunt back to its master. Therefore, pueden reemplazar por sí solos a varios perros especializados en un área en particular. Perhaps its main flaw is its rather slow pace, meaning it works closely with its owner rather than independently, running from one side to the other. This does not take away from the hunting qualities that made it popular in France throughout the 19th century., así como en las décadas previas a la Segunda Guerra Mundial.

During World War II, like many french breeds, the Auvergne Pointer was threatened with extinction. In effect, the conflicts and the occupation of part of the French territory by Germany wreaked havoc on the canine population: muchos de sus representantes fueron asesinados o abandonados cuando sus propietarios ya no tenían los recursos para ocuparse de ellos.

However, at the end of hostilities, an enthusiast, André de Tournay, managed to locate a little more than 20 ejemplares en diferentes partes del país. Ellos estuvieron en el origen de varias líneas de sangre y por lo tanto jugaron un papel esencial en la renovación de la raza.

The postwar rebirth of the breed by Mr.. de Tournay led to his recognition in 1955 by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), que coordina los organismos oficiales de más de cien países – among them the Société Royale Saint-Hubert (SRSH) belga, the Swiss Kennel Club (SCS) y the Société Centrale Canine (SCC) french. However, este último había tomado la iniciativa de reconocer el Braque de Auvernia ya en 1913.

The prestigious and influential British Kennel Club took much longer to do the same, since he had to wait until 2016.

In 1987, se publicó un primer artículo sobre esta raza de perro en la revista norteamericana Gun Dog Magazine. However, we don't know exactly when the first ones were imported Auvergne Pointer to the United States. In any case, probablemente se retrasaron y se limitaron en número. In 2016, se publicó un nuevo artículo en la misma revista sobre la investigación de los orígenes del establecimiento de este perro en el país, after fans surveyed Nelson Hooe, uno de los primeros propietarios comprobados en el país.

In any case, the recognition of Auvergne Pointer en América del Norte es todavía incompleto. Has been recognized by the United Kennel Club (UKC) from 2006, así como por el Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), but it is not the case of the other reference organization in the United States, the American Kennel Club (AKC).

Photo: Braque_d’auvergne en la Exposición Canina Mundial de Poznań by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In France, the popularity of Auvergne Pointer is relatively stable in the long term, and has been at least since the early 1990s. 1970: there are around of 350 entradas por año en el Libro de Orígenes Franceses (LOF). Este número a veces alcanza un máximo de alrededor de 500 births per year, how was the case, for example, in the mid 70. On the other hand, nunca ha caído duraderamente por debajo de 250.

Although the Auvergne Pointer es relativamente popular en su país de origen, it has only been exported and distributed to some extent outside of France, incluso en los países fronterizos con Francia.

In Switzerland, for example, las estadísticas de la base de datos Amicus muestran que su población se limita a unos treinta individuos.

In Belgium, it is just as discreet, como lo demuestra la ausencia de cría en el suelo nacional.

The same observation can be made, for example, in Italy, donde las estadísticas del Ente Nazionale della Cinofilia Italiana (ENCI) show an average of about ten registrations per year during 2010, or again in Spain, where the Royal Canine Society of Spain (RSCE) only count one birth between 2014 and 2019.

There are a handful of farms in Canada and the United States, but the Auvergne Pointer también sigue siendo difícil de encontrar en esos países.

The Auvergne Pointer has a robust and noble appearance. His shapely body is well aligned, with a straight constitution – your back, from the tip of the shoulder to the tip of the buttock, is the same length as its front legs – and a long chest that descends to elbow level, midway between the withers and the lower part of the front legs. It is robust, strong but without heaviness, which gives it an elegant look. Their solid constitution gives them the stride and the resistance for which they are highly appreciated in hunting..

Both the front and back legs are straight, well aligned with the body, and the thighs and forearms are well muscled.

The tail stands quite high, carried horizontally and reaches the point of the hock. It can also be shortened at birth, and then barely exceeds 15 a 20 cm.. However, this practice, call “tail docking”, está prohibida en muchos países, including France, Belgium, Switzerland and Quebec.

The head of the Auvergne Pointer is well balanced. Seen from the front, the muzzle is square and its length is equal to or slightly less than that of the skull. Finish off with a pretty strong black nose, que domina las mandíbulas sólidas de igual longitud. What's more, the upper lip covers the lower.

Positioned slightly toward the back of the skull, las orejas son caídas, flexible and with a slightly satin texture.

The eyes are dark hazel, oval and quite large. They give this dog an expressive look, frank and gentle.

The fur of Auvergne Pointer consists of a sparse undercoat and short, smooth topcoat with a glossy appearance that is softer than other Braques. It is mottled black or grayish white, more or less present. The head is black, but the muzzle may have the same white markings as the body – a white border may also be present on the top of the skull, prolonging the color of the muzzle. Black fur can also tend to be blue, which is why these dogs are rarely called Auvergne Pointer blue.

There are also charcoal-colored dogs. However, this variety is rare and is not recognized by the breed standard.

Sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced in these dogs: el macho es ciertamente en promedio unos pocos centímetros más alto que la hembra, but it's not particularly massive.

Even today, the Auvergne Pointer is most often bred to become a hunting dog. However, his affectionate character, Gentile, patient and smart also makes them great pets, and they are becoming more and more popular as such. In fact, fit perfectly into family life, they usually try to please their humans and are very loyal to them.

They are especially fond of children of all ages and are affectionate and playful provided they are not excessively boisterous. However, it should never be forgotten that a dog of any breed should never be left alone with a small child without adult supervision.

La desventaja de estar tan cerca de su familia es que no puede tolerar la soledad y necesita estar en compañía de los humanos tan a menudo como sea posible. If left alone for too long, can become a destructive or particularly loud reminder of your presence. No need to say, therefore, que no se adapta a las personas que están ausentes durante días enteros o más. El estrecho vínculo que tiene con sus maestros también lo hace muy sensible a las amonestaciones y se ve fácilmente afectado por los posibles castigos.

It is not only the humans in his family that he Auvergne Pointer inclines to appreciate. In effect, aunque a primera vista sea tímido con los extraños, quickly treats them like new friends, especially since it is totally devoid of aggression. Ready to greet newcomers with affection, may even tend to follow an intruder instead of defending your home or territory, which makes him a poor caretaker. However, is very capable of sounding the alarm when he hears something unusual.

In any case, He is not one of those who barks from morning to night, expressing yourself only when you have a good reason to do so: to raise the alarm, to express boredom, to seek attention, or to express any anxiety.

Sharing your home with a partner is a great way to reduce the risk of you suffering from the absence of your masters. In fact, such cohabitation generally goes very well, and he appreciates not living alone.
On the other hand, su instinto de caza está demasiado arraigado en él como para considerar la posibilidad de que cohabite pacíficamente con otra mascota más pequeña que él, like a bird, a rodent or even a cat: unless you were raised with him from a young age, hay muchas posibilidades de que un día u otro termine atacándolo. This character trait also means that he is best kept on a leash when going out to places where he is very likely to meet small animals., y donde sería peligroso para él perseguirlos.

Esto es tanto más cierto cuanto que no le falta energía, to the point that you need to spend at least an hour a day to be well on your legs and on your head. Your resistance, However, allows you to go much further, since it is capable of chasing a prey for miles. Therefore, it is ideal to plan long walks that include times when you can run freely and safely, especially if you don't have a chance to hunt. In any case, this dog is perfectly suitable for an active owner who likes to jog, cycling or hiking, y nada le gustaría más que llevar a su mascota con él – provided that it is kept on a leash when necessary.

Otra excelente manera de permitirle gastar su energía es entrenarlo para uno o más deportes caninos. Their intelligence and willingness to cooperate are particularly well expressed in agility and obedience tests.. More broadly, imply that it is quite easy to train him for all kinds of activities and teach him different tasks.

By the way, if your pilgrimages take you to pass near a water space where you can swim safely, She loves water – he is even a good swimmer – and generally appreciates taking a dip as soon as you get a chance to.

In any case, its high level of activity makes apartment living unsuitable for the Auvergne Pointer. Incluso una casa con un pequeño patio probablemente no sería suficiente para hacerle feliz: el ambiente ideal para él es claramente una casa con un gran jardín vallado, although this cannot replace long daily walks to satisfy your need for exercise.

The Auvergne Pointer is known for his intelligence and the sweetness of his temperament. He is also eager to please his owners, so it reacts positively to training: learns quickly and is generally an easy dog ​​to train.

However, it is important to use the right methods. In fact, its sensitivity means that the use of coercion or even punishment is strongly discouraged: tendría todas las posibilidades de socavar la confianza que normalmente otorga a su amado amo. On the other hand, positive dog training methods, based on repetition, the gratification and rewards, are very effective in taking full advantage of the great potential of this animal.

In fact, su naturaleza obediente y cooperativa hace que no sea difícil entrenarlo para la caza, sports with dogs or any other task. This is all the more true since he is always happy to share activities with his master: unlike many races, prefers to work in complicity with his master rather than independently. Therefore, It is an ideal option for those who like to spend time educating their partner and working alongside him, whether for hunting or dog sports. For example, is an excellent candidate for agility and obedience competitions. Your sense of smell can also be used to track events, but its relatively slow speed limits its potential in this area.

For things to run smoothly, it is important to establish rules at an early age about what you are and are not allowed to do. They are not particularly stubborn by nature, and in fact they are quite obedient, but they can also do it when they are more flexible and responsive: this will make it easier and faster for them to assimilate the rules. What's more, los asimila con mayor facilidad porque son los mismos de un día para otro y entre las diferentes personas de la casa: no se trata de que el caballero autorice hoy lo que la señora prohibió el día anterior.

What's more, teaching your dog to stay alone should be one of the priorities in the education of a Auvergne Pointer. In effect, como le gusta la compañía y es propenso a la ansiedad por la separación, must get used to enduring absences from his family without reaching a state of discomfort.

It is also beneficial to start learning to call back soon, so that it can be allowed to unleash when conditions permit, limiting the risk of becoming deaf to his master's commands when he sees or smells a small passing animal.

You also have to be careful to quickly channel your tendency to chew what is within your reach., directing him to the right toys. This avoids the risk of damage and injury to the animal.

Finally, like any dog, we must not wait to offer you quality socialization from your first months. By letting you meet all kinds of humans, congeners and representatives of other species, but also face a multitude of different situations in various places, we make it a comfortable companion in all circumstances, performed in its environment and among humans.

The Auvergne Pointer is generally a robust dog with few health problems. Your life expectancy of 12 a 15 years is quite honorable given its size.

What's more, they are quite flexible in terms of weather, capaces de hacer frente tanto al calor del verano como al frío del invierno de los climas templados o mediterráneos. If you are required to sleep outside when temperatures are low, a niche is necessary to provide shelter. In any case, their fur is not adapted to polar temperatures.

However, like any dog, are more prone to certain diseases, which in this case are :

Dado que un cierto número de las condiciones a las que está predispuesta la raza son o pueden ser de origen hereditario, adopting a quality breeder from Auvergne Pointer can be a determining factor in obtaining a healthy puppy, and one that continues to be, in addition to having been well socialized from his first weeks. In effect, un profesional digno de ese nombre se encarga de que se realicen sistemáticamente pruebas genéticas en su plantel de cría, to rule out those who run the risk of transmitting this or that inherited condition to their offspring. Therefore, must be able to present the results of these tests, así como el historial sanitario del perro, que atestigüe las vacunas administradas y que sea útil para planificar las próximas que se lleven a cabo, así como los retiros. At the same time, a certificate drawn up by a veterinarian attests to the good health of the animal at the time of adoption.

Once the adoption is complete, it is important that the new owner respect the growth of his protégé: until it reaches adult size, what happens around two years of age, debe evitar los esfuerzos físicos intensos o los ejercicios demasiado agotadores y prolongados. This reduces both the risk of short-term injuries and that of sequelae or deformation of the bones or joints., que son particularmente frágiles a lo largo de este período.

Last, one way to keep your dog in good health is to take him to the vet regularly for a full checkup – At least once a year, y aún más cuando se haga mayor. This will help prevent or detect potential health problems as soon as possible., así como también brindará la oportunidad de reforzar las vacunas de su perro.

It is also important not to neglect the protection against fleas, worms, ticks and other undesirable pests, renewing your child's antiparasitic treatments throughout the year, whenever necessary. This is especially crucial for an individual who spends a lot of time, either hunting or in other activities.

As his undercoat is not very thick and his top coat is short, the fur of the Auvergne Pointer requires little maintenance: a short brushing session with a soft bristle brush once a week is enough to keep you healthy, shiny and soft to the touch, especially since your hair loss is not very pronounced.

Durante los períodos de muda, in spring and autumn, it is much more pronounced, so more frequent brushing is necessary. However, 2 or 3 veces a la semana debería ser suficiente. After brushing it, el abrigo puede ser pulido con un paño suave y limpio para hacerlo aún más brillante.

It is neither necessary nor advisable to bathe your dog too often: 3 or 4 times a year is usually more than enough, unless, claro está, that has gotten very dirty. In any case, siempre se debe usar un champú destinado a los perros.

Dangling ears require more attention, ya que su forma las hace propensas a las infecciones de oído. Therefore, it is important to examine them weekly and wipe them with a clean, slightly damp cloth to avoid the risk of infection.

Your eyes need some attention too. The weekly maintenance session should be an opportunity to examine them, y limpiarlos suavemente con un paño húmedo si hay suciedad.

Looking at its claws, la actividad física regular que satisface su necesidad de niveles bastante altos de actividad le permitirá normalmente limarlas de forma natural. However, this does not mean that you should not check from time to time that this is the case. On the other hand, if your age or a health problem prevents you from being active enough, they generally need to be trimmed every 6 u 8 weeks to avoid being too long and bothering you, or even breaking and injuring you.

The first time, a visit to a professional groomer can be a good way to learn how to care for a Auvergne Pointer, in order to operate efficiently and safely, while limiting the risks of hurting you. For its part, you will be calmer and more cooperative during care if it is part of your daily routine from a very young age: therefore, it is recommended to expose it to delicate handling from an early age.

This is all the more true since it is also wise to get used to examining it after every long time spent outdoors. (especially after a hunting trip, for example), to detect possible injuries, thorns, parasites, spikes…

Either male or female, the price of a puppy Auvergne Pointer is generally between 650 and 1100 EUR. The average is about 800 EUR, no significant differences between males and females.

However, es difícil encontrarlo fuera de su país de origen, France, incluso en los países limítrofes con este último.
The same is true in North America, although there are a handful of breeders in Canada and the United States.

The import from France is, therefore, sometimes the most suitable solution to avoid possible waiting times and have a maximum of choice. However, It must be taken into account that various expenses are added to the purchase price of the puppy: transportation expenses, administrative expenses, etc. What's more, it is necessary, of course, make sure you know and respect the regulations regarding the importation of a dog from abroad.

In any case, whatever the place, el precio cobrado varía según el prestigio de la cría, the lineage the animal came from, pero también y sobre todo sus características intrínsecas, in particular its greater or lesser conformity with the norm. Este último punto también explica por qué a veces hay diferencias significativas dentro de la misma camada.

Coexistence is important that you have with your new friend. Before considering the acquisition of a dog of the breed "Auvergne Pointer" you know certain factors. Not all breeds of dogs are apt to live in an apartment, you must take into account his character, their need for exercise, their interaction with other pets, their care and if you have small children, their level of tolerance towards them.

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Photos:

1 – Braque d’Auvergne sur fond blanc by Desaix83, d'après le travail de Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
2 – Riga, Baltic Winner 2013, 9-10 Nov by Thomas, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
3 – Braque d’Auvergne during the Rzeszów International Exhibition, Poland. Marian Surma is the breeder and owner of Poland by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
4 – Braque d’Auvergne during the Rzeszów International Exhibition, Poland. Marian Surma is the breeder and owner of Poland by Wikimedia
5 – Braque d’Auvergne during the Rzeszów International Exhibition, Poland. Marian Surma is the breeder and owner of Poland by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
6 – Braque_d’auvergne en la Exposición Universal en Poznań by Pleple2000, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Arrêt d’une becassine par un Braque d’Auvergne

Burt (Braque d’Auvergne) Puppy Camp Dog Training Video Demonstration

braque d’auvergne

Braque D’Auvergne learning to point

• FCI CLASSIFICATION:
• Group :
• Section : . .

Federations:

• – FCI – Group 7: Pointing Dogs. – Section 1: Continental Pointing Dogs. 1.1: Braque Type ⓘ
• – UKC – Gun Dog ⓘ

FCI - Auvergne Pointer

1. Braque d’Auvergne (English).
2. Bleu d’Auvergne (French).
3. Braque d’Auvergne (German).
4. (em francês: Braque d’Auvergne) (Portuguese).
5. Azul de Auvernia (español).