Apartment fit
The Pyrenees type is lighter than the Gascony type, but apartment life still requires serious daily outdoor exercise.
SportingMedium
France
FranceFrench Pointing Dog (Pyrenees)
Weight
35-55 lb
Height
18.5-23 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
The French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) is the smaller Braque Francais type, a light French gundog with a short brown or brown-and-white coat.
Smaller Braque Francais typeLight, agile French pointing dogShort brown or brown-and-white coatOften gentle and responsive
Breed Names
Official, native, and commonly used variants
French Pointing Dog (Pyrenean Type)Braque Francais Type PyreneesBraque Francais de Petite Taille
GentleResponsiveActiveSociableAgile
Weight
35-55 lb
Height
18.5-23 in
Lifespan
12-15 yrs
Coat
Smooth Short
At A Glance
Daily living snapshot
A quick read on energy, upkeep, and what day-to-day life with this breed usually feels like.
Energy
High
Barking
Moderate
Drooling
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Grooming
1/5
First-time owner
No
Overview
The French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees), also called the Braque Francais type Pyrenees, is the smaller and lighter of the two Braque Francais types. It was developed as a versatile pointing dog in southwest France and the Pyrenean region, with a practical build for active field work.
Compared with the Gascony type, the Pyrenean type is shorter, finer, quicker, and usually more agile. Its short fine coat comes in chestnut brown, brown and white, strongly speckled brown-and-white, or brown with tan markings. Grooming is easy, but field dogs still need ear, paw, and skin checks.
This breed suits active owners who want a biddable pointing dog with enough stamina for hunting, hiking, and training. It can be affectionate at home, but it needs movement, recall practice, and safe outlets for bird and scent interest.
Temperament & Personality
GentleResponsiveActiveSociableAgile
This breed tends to suit homes looking for a gentle, responsive, active companion, with daily rhythms shaped by high energy, moderate barking, and low drooling.
Coat type
Smooth
Coat length
Short
Shedding
Moderate
Colors
Chestnut Brown, Brown and White, Brown Speckled, Brown with Tan
Lifestyle Compatibility
Family Friendly4/5
Good with Kids4/5
Good with Dogs4/5
Good with Strangers3/5
Apartment Friendly2/5
Exercise Needs4/5
Grooming Needs1/5
Trainability4/5
Good fit if you want
- A family-friendly companion
- Room for routine exercise
- Confidence handling structure and training
Plan ahead for
- 4/5 exercise needs
- moderate shedding and coat upkeep
- moderate barking in daily life
Owner Fit & Everyday Behavior
Best for
- active owners wanting a medium pointing dog
- hunters or sport homes with outdoor access
- families that can provide daily training and exercise
- people who prefer low coat maintenance
Not ideal for
- low-exercise homes
- owners expecting off-leash reliability without training
- apartments without outdoor routines
- people wanting no prey or bird interest
Common challenges
- recall around birds and scent
- needing field-style activity
- ear care after outdoor work
- restlessness if under-exercised
Barking & behavior
It is not usually a guard dog, but under-exercise can create barking or restlessness. Field work and training help keep behavior settled.
Training style
Use positive, practical outdoor training with recall, steadiness, retrieving, and calm handling around game scent.
Grooming & shedding
Brush lightly, check ears and paws after field work, trim nails, and inspect skin for seeds, cuts, or irritation.
Care Guide
Exercise
Most Pyrenean-type French Pointing Dogs need daily running, long walks, and field-style work. Pointing games, retrieving, scent work, and hiking all suit the breed.
Grooming
The short fine coat needs light brushing, but field care is important. Check ears, paws, nails, and skin after grass, brush, seeds, or wet terrain.
Training
Use positive gundog training with recall, steadiness, retrieving, and calm handling around birds. The breed is usually responsive but needs real outdoor practice.
Nutrition
Feed a lean active-dog diet and adjust portions for work level. Keep the dog fit without extra weight.
Behavior & Environment
Energy level
High
Barking level
Moderate
Drooling level
Low
Watchdog ability
2/5
Guard dog ability
1/5
Climate tolerance
Cold weather3/5
Heat tolerance3/5
Health Considerations
Common concerns to discuss with your vet and breeder.
Hip dysplasiaEar infectionsEye conditionsField injuriesObesity
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) a good family dog?
It can be a good family dog for active homes that provide exercise and training. It is often gentle, but it remains a working pointing breed.
How is the Pyrenees type different from the Gascony type?
The Pyrenees type is smaller, lighter, and generally quicker. The Gascony type is larger and more substantial.
How much exercise does a French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) need?
Most adults need long daily walks plus running, field work, retrieving, or scent games. It is not a low-exercise companion.
Does the French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) shed?
Yes, it sheds moderately, but the short coat is easy to brush. Ears and paws need more attention than the coat itself after outdoor work.
What colors can a French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) be?
The FCI standard allows chestnut brown, brown and white, strongly speckled brown-and-white, and brown with tan markings.
Is the French Pointing Dog (Pyrenees) easy to train?
It is usually responsive and cooperative with reward-based training. Recall and steadiness around birds should be practiced early.
What health problems should owners watch for?
Watchouts include hip dysplasia, ear infections, eye conditions, obesity, and cuts or strains from field work.
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