Braque Saint-Germain
A French pointing gundog descended from crosses of French and English pointers. Gentle, sociable and friendly, it works well in the field and settles calmly at home.
Braque Saint-Germain scorecard
Overview
The Braque Saint-Germain is an elegant French pointing gundog, standing around 54–62 cm and weighing roughly 18–26 kg, with a short white coat marked with orange. Developed from crosses between French and English pointing dogs, it combines Continental steadiness with the lighter outline of the English Pointer, and it works well in the field while settling calmly at home.
Friendly, affectionate and sociable, the Saint-Germain is valued as both a hunting companion and a family dog. Like all true pointers, however, it carries a strong hunting drive and substantial exercise needs, so it is best suited to owners who can give it plenty of activity and engagement.
Good to know — a Braque Saint-Germain needs plenty of space and manageable for committed beginners. Every dog is an individual, so meet a few and chat to a good breeder or rescue before deciding.
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History & origins
The breed emerged in 19th-century France, reputedly developed at the royal kennels at Saint-Germain-en-Laye from matings between French braques and imported English Pointers. The aim was a refined, lighter pointing dog, and the resulting breed took its name from the town where it was established, becoming popular in French field and show circles during the 1800s.
The Braque Saint-Germain is recognised by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale among the pointing breeds (FCI Group 7) but remains rare, with most of its population concentrated in France. It is not separately recognised by The Kennel Club in the UK, where it is seldom seen, so detailed breed-specific information, breeders and working lines are concentrated on the Continent and prospective UK owners usually look to French enthusiasts.
Temperament & family fit
Saint-Germains are typically gentle, friendly and affectionate, with a sociable outlook that makes them good companions for families, children and, when properly introduced, other dogs. They tend to be calmer and more settled indoors than their field drive might suggest, provided their exercise needs are met.
As a sensitive working breed, the Saint-Germain prefers being part of family life to being kennelled or left alone, and it can become anxious or restless if isolated or under-exercised. Its hunting instinct is strong, so secure boundaries and reliable recall training matter, and a fenced garden is a real asset for an inquisitive dog that will happily follow its nose if given the chance.
- Families with children of all ages
- Owners ready for consistent training
- Active homes with plenty of space
Training & intelligence
This is a willing, trainable breed that learns readily with positive, reward-based methods, and it particularly benefits from gundog-style training that satisfies its pointing instincts. Recall and steadiness should be prioritised because the breed's nose and chase drive can lead it astray if foundations are weak.
Harsh handling undermines a sensitive dog of this type; calm, consistent and patient training builds confidence and reliability. Mental work alongside physical exercise helps prevent the boredom-related behaviours seen in under-occupied sporting dogs, and short, varied, upbeat sessions tend to get the best from this willing breed.
- Start socialisation & handling early
- Reward-based methods only — no harsh corrections
- Channel energy into training games & enrichment
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Braque Saint-Germain typically needs 90 minutes to 2 hours a day (roughly 90–120 minutes), split across walks, play and a little training. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, training games and puzzle feeding go a long way. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
The short coat is easy to care for, needing only a weekly brush to remove loose hair, with a little extra during moulting periods. The drop ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to reduce infection risk, and routine nail trimming and dental care complete a simple, low-maintenance grooming routine that suits owners wanting an active dog without heavy coat upkeep.
- Brush occasionally to remove loose hair
- Bathe every few weeks or as needed
- Check ears, nails and teeth weekly
Feeding considerations
Feed a complete, quality diet appropriate for an active medium-sized gundog, divided into two daily meals and tailored to the dog's age, activity level and body condition. Adjust intake up for working dogs in season and down for less active companions to avoid weight gain, and keep vigorous exercise away from mealtimes given the deeper chest. Fresh water should always be available, particularly after long outings.
Braque Saint-Germain health & costs
Before bringing a Braque Saint-Germain home it pays to budget for the whole picture — food, insurance, grooming and routine vet care all add up. The figures below are typical UK estimates for a healthy adult; your real costs vary with where you live, your dog's health and the cover you choose.
Food
£600–850 / year
Complete food sized to weight & life stage
Insurance
£35–62 / month
Lifetime cover — varies by age, breed & area
Grooming
£0–60 / year
Mostly DIY at home
Routine vet care
£200–450 / year
Vaccines, flea/worm, annual check
The Braque Saint-Germain is generally considered a healthy, sound breed without an extensive catalogue of inherited diseases, and responsible breeders screen for hip dysplasia and attend to the joint, ear and eye health typical of pointing dogs. Its continued use as a working gundog has helped maintain general soundness and functional conformation.
Because the breed is rare, breed-specific health statistics are limited and guidance leans on the wider gundog group. Prospective owners should ask breeders about hip scoring and eye testing and maintain routine preventive care, particularly ear hygiene and weight control.
Common health conditions to be aware of
- Hip dysplasia — a developmental hip disorder seen across pointing breeds; request hip scores from breeders.
- Ear infections — the pendulous ears need regular cleaning and checking to prevent infection.
- Bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) — a risk in deeper-chested dogs; manage feeding and exercise carefully.
- Hereditary eye conditions — eye screening of breeding stock is advisable where available.
- Field injuries — active hunting work can cause cuts, strains and footpad damage.
These reflect typical, size- and coat-related risks for dogs like the Braque Saint-Germain; individual breeds carry their own predispositions. Always buy from health-tested parents and speak to your vet — this isn't a diagnosis.
Protect against surprise bills
A single emergency can run into thousands. Lifetime insurance spreads the risk.
Estimate insurance →How pet insurance works →Puppy & senior care
Bringing home a Braque Saint-Germain puppy
Puppies need controlled exercise (a rough guide is five minutes per month of age, twice a day) to protect growing joints, little-and-often meals of a complete puppy food, early socialisation, and a calm routine for toilet training and sleep. Book first vaccinations, microchipping and a vet check early.
New puppy checklist →Caring for a senior Braque Saint-Germain
As they age, watch weight, joints and teeth, switch to a senior diet if your vet advises, keep exercise gentle but regular, and consider orthopaedic bedding and ramps. Twice-yearly vet checks help catch issues early — larger breeds age sooner, so start senior care from around 6–7 years.
Orthopaedic beds & mobility →Pros & cons
The good bits
- Friendly, affectionate and sociable
- Easy-care short coat
Things to consider
- High exercise needs as a working pointer
- Rare breed driven by hunting instinct
Compare the Braque Saint-Germain
See how the Braque Saint-Germain measures up against similar breeds before you decide:
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Braque Saint-Germain?
The Braque Saint-Germain is an elegant French pointing gundog, developed from crosses between French and English pointing dogs. It carries the lighter outline of the English Pointer combined with Continental steadiness, working keenly in the field while settling calmly at home. It wears a short white coat marked with orange.
How big does a Braque Saint-Germain get?
It is a medium-sized gundog, standing around 54–62 cm at the shoulder and weighing roughly 18–26 kg. The build is athletic and lightly made rather than heavy, reflecting its pointer heritage and its need for endurance and agility in the field.
How much exercise does a Braque Saint-Germain need?
Plenty. This is a working pointer that typically needs well over an hour of varied daily activity, including the chance to run and use its nose, plus mental stimulation. A mix of brisk walks, free running and scent games suits it far better than a short stroll, and it is unsuited to low-activity lifestyles.
Is the Braque Saint-Germain good with children and other dogs?
Yes. The breed is typically gentle, friendly and sociable, making it a good companion for families and children, and it generally gets on with other dogs when properly introduced. As with any dog, early socialisation and supervised, respectful interactions with young children help bring out the best in it.
How much grooming does a Braque Saint-Germain need?
Very little. The short coat needs only a weekly brush to remove loose hair, with a little extra during moulting. The drop ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to reduce infection risk, and routine nail trimming and dental care complete a simple, low-maintenance routine.
Is the Braque Saint-Germain a healthy breed?
It is generally considered a sound, healthy breed without an extensive catalogue of inherited diseases, and its continued use as a working gundog has helped maintain soundness. Because it is rare, breed-specific data is limited; ask breeders about hip scoring and eye testing, and keep up routine ear care and weight control.
How long do Braque Saint-Germains live?
A typical lifespan is around 12–14 years. As with any dog, a healthy weight, sensible exercise, good preventive veterinary care and choosing a puppy from health-tested parents all help support a long, comfortable life.
Does the Braque Saint-Germain suit a first-time or sedentary owner?
It is best suited to active owners who can give it plenty of exercise and engagement. As a sensitive working breed it prefers being part of family life and can become anxious or restless if isolated or under-exercised, so it is not a good match for sedentary homes, small flats, or long hours left alone.
Are Braque Saint-Germains good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Braque Saint-Germains tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Braque Saint-Germain need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Braque Saint-Germain needs 90 minutes to 2 hours of exercise a day (90–120 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Braque Saint-Germains shed a lot?
Low shedding. Coat upkeep is wash-and-go — a quick brush now and then is usually enough.
Are Braque Saint-Germains easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Manageable for committed beginners. Braque Saint-Germains are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Braque Saint-Germains bark a lot?
Quiet. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Braque Saint-Germains good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Braque Saint-Germains suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Braque Saint-Germain really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.
Sources
- The Kennel Club (UK) – breed and health information: https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/
- Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) breed standard, Braque Saint-Germain: https://www.fci.org/
- PDSA – dog health and care advice: https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice
- Blue Cross – dog ownership guidance: https://www.bluecross.org.uk/
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Every dog is an individual — temperament and needs vary. Please research thoroughly, meet dogs in person, and consider adopting from a rescue. This is general guidance, not a substitute for advice from your vet or a qualified trainer.