Pointer / FCI Group 7 · Purebred · France's elegant pointer — a medium-sized pointer with distinctive black and white coat bred for bird hunting with excellent nose and gentle temperament
The Braque d'Auvergne, or Auvergne Pointer, is a French pointing breed from the mountainous Auvergne region in south-central France. A classic continental gundog, it was developed to point and retrieve game across varied terrain and has long been valued as a versatile, close-working hunting companion.
It is instantly recognizable by its striking coat: a white base heavily ticked and flecked with black, creating a blue-grey 'charbonné' or roan effect, usually with a solid black head. Medium-large, athletic, and elegant, it combines genuine field ability with an exceptionally gentle, people-focused temperament, making it recognized by the FCI in Group 7 (Pointing Dogs).
Real Auvergne Pointer photos — showcasing their unique appearance and character.
Renowned for its sweet, gentle nature, the Braque d'Auvergne is affectionate, calm, and deeply attached to its family, making it one of the more companionable gundogs. It is friendly with people, children, and other dogs, and eager to please. Sensitive and sociable, it does poorly when isolated and thrives as a full member of the household.
An energetic sporting dog, it needs about an hour or more of daily exercise — running, hiking, fieldwork, or dog sports — to stay balanced. It loves working and using its nose, and it especially enjoys activities shared with its owner. Without enough exercise and companionship it can become restless or anxious.
The short coat is very easy to care for, needing only a weekly brush and occasional bath to stay in good condition. As a drop-eared breed, its ears should be checked and cleaned regularly to prevent infections, and nails trimmed every few weeks. Overall it is a low-maintenance dog to keep looking its best.
Intelligent, biddable, and naturally cooperative, the Braque d'Auvergne is a joy to train and takes readily to gundog and obedience work. Its soft temperament means gentle, positive, reward-based methods are essential — it does not tolerate harshness. Early socialization and consistent, kind guidance bring out a confident, well-mannered dog.
A generally healthy and hardy breed with a lifespan of around 12–14 years. The concerns to watch for are those typical of large, deep-chested sporting dogs: hip dysplasia, ear infections from the drop ears, and a risk of bloat/gastric torsion. Hip-screened parents, clean dry ears, and measured meals help keep the breed sound and long-lived.
The Braque d'Auvergne does best on a good-quality complete dog food matched to its age, size, and activity level. As a rough guide, a typical adult eats about 2½–3¾ cups of dry food per day, split into two meals — but a hard-working or very active dog needs more, while a couch companion needs less. Use a large-breed formula and avoid heavy exercise right after meals to reduce the risk of bloat.
Puppies: 3 meals a day of a puppy formula to fuel growth.
Active adults: around 2½–3¾ cups daily, in two meals, adjusted to keep a trim waistline.
Seniors (7+ yrs): slightly fewer calories and, if needed, a joint-supporting formula as they slow down.
Never feed chocolate, grapes or raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener found in some gums and peanut butters), macadamia nuts, or cooked bones. Keep treats to no more than about 10% of daily calories so they don't crowd out balanced nutrition or lead to weight gain.
Where puppies are available, a Braque d'Auvergne from a responsible breeder typically costs around $1,000–$2,500, with rarer bloodlines and imported dogs sitting at the higher end. Rescue or adoption, where possible, is far less — usually a few hundred dollars in fees.
Food, treats & preventatives, routine care and supplies together usually run about $110–$200 per month for a healthy adult, not counting emergencies or boarding.
Over a full lifetime the total cost of ownership generally lands around $18,000–$28,000, including the purchase price. Pet insurance ($15–$45/month) and a small emergency fund are smart ways to cushion against unexpected veterinary bills.