The Braque St-Germain 

History

 

The Saint Germain  Pointing Dog was developed around 1830 from French pointers descended from the royal packs of King Louis XV and the English Pointer, brought to France by Mr. de Girardin, a master huntsman for King Charles X. The products of this cross were bred by the keepers of Saint-Germain-en-Laye Forest, for which the breed was named. This English-French blend is the most elegant of the French pointers. Although very common in the early twentieth century, the breed is now relatively rare because it is not very widespread and it competes with the English Pointer, a dog similar in appearance and aptitudes. In size and shape there are similarities in the Braque St-Germain and the pointer, referred to as the English pointer.  There is a common ancestry in the two breeds and the actions in the field of both dogs is very similar.The St Germain is also referred to as the Compiegne pointer in certain areas of its native country, France.  Its coat is short and thick yet very fine.  Upland game birds are its main quarry but this breed like its English cousin, is at home on the wetlands of the French coastal plain.

 
Breed Description    Head: Finely chiseled. Broad skull. Prominent occipital peak. Pronounced stop. Nosebridge long and straight or slightly domed. Thin, pink lips. Wide, dark pink nose.
Ears: Pendulous, longer than in the English Pointer, supple, standing well out from the head.
Eyes * Fairly large, golden yellow.
Body *  Well-proportioned. Solid, fairly long neck. Broad, deep chest let-down to the elbow. Powerful, fairly short, slightly arched loin.
Tail *  Thick at the base, very thin at the tip. Carried level to the ground. This is the only pointer whose tail does not have to be docked.
Hair *  Short, not too fine, but never hard.
Coat *  Dull white with bright orange spots. Orange may be mixed with some white hairs. Some spotting is tolerated.
Size *  Dog: 50 to 62 cm (19.7-24.4 in). Bitch: 54 to 59 cm (21-23 in).
Weight * 18 to 26 kg (40-57,5lb).
Group *  Pointing Dogs

 

Behavior  The enthusiastic, swift, sometimes obstinate Saint Germain Pointing Dog excels in the fields and woods and even in swampland, although the cold season should be avoided. More predictable than the English Pointer but faster than the French Pointing Dog, he is a good runner with a wide search range. He is used especially on pheasant and rabbit. Gentle, affectionate, and very attached to his owner, he makes a good pet. He needs firm but gentle training.

 

 
Advice   If he lives in the city, he needs long, daily walks. He tolerates heat well. He needs regular brushing and attention to the ears.

 

 
In size and shape there are similarities in the Braque St-Germain and the pointer, referred to as the English pointer.  There is a common ancestry in the two breeds and the actions in the field of both dogs is very similar.

 

 
The St Germain is also referred to as the Compiegne pointer in certain areas of its native country, France.  Its coat is short and thick yet very fine.  Upland game birds are its main quarry but this breed like its English cousin, is at home on the wetlands of the French coastal plain.

 

 
PERSONALITY: Rather reserved with strangers. Obedient and loyal to its owner. Not noisy - rather quiet and gentle. A willing worker

 

 

 
COAT: Short, fine, thick and glossy. The color is always white with a few bright orange patches.  Does not provide sufficient insulation when wet, so the dog is not used for water retrieving.. Minimal grooming required.

 

 
TIPS: A fine dog for hunting small game, but it is not a good choice for retrieving from the water.  Makes a good companion dog for the family. Will be extremely difficult to find a puppy in the U.S.

 

 
Function   Hunting dog, and companion dog.

HEALTH CONCERNS  **  Generally very healthy. May be subject to hip dysplasia


 

Faults   Any departure from the foregoig points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note  Male animals should have two apperently normal testicles fully  descended into the scrotum.

 

 

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