Braque Francais

[jagermiester]

My brother is thinking about getting a Braque Francais. Anyone have any experience around this breed? 

[constructeur]

http://www.dogwilling.ca/pointingdogblog/2012/01/breed-of-week-braque-francais-part-one_11.html

[jagermiester]

Seems like a cool breed huh?

[constructeur]

If that's what you are into, sure. I personally don't see what the benefit would be over getting a dialed in shorthair from a NAVHDA kennel.

If your pal is serious, have him get a hold of Mr. Koshyk as he'll know who is breeding these dogs and all that.

[jagermiester]

Mr Koshyk?

The downfall of going this way is that there are not many breeders in the country.

The upside is the breeding is based on developing in a good dog around the home (housepet) that is also bred NAVHDA.

[constructeur]

Craig Koshyk is the guy that runs the blog I linked to. Here is his contact: http://www.dogwilling.ca/contact/

If your friend has a hard time finding that breed, but is willing to extrapolate his breed search out a little bit, he may consider another French dog, the Braque du Bourbonnais. Slightly smaller, short hair, shorter face than a shorthair, someone similar to what he is looking at now.

http://www.elkrunkennels.com/about-us.html

Lonn Kuck, the owner is worth a shout if your pal is keen. He's just in Idaho, and has the only VC's for the breed in North America from his kennel.

My pal in Tri cities has one, not much of a swimmer, but he does great on all the upland birds and is very low key around the house.

Have fun.

Just a thought/another option.

[406Jake]

Hey Jagermiester - I'm brand new to the board but just joined to browse some hunting and training tips for my 16 month Braque.

I did a ton of research and talked to different breeders last year before pulling the trigger on my pup - and so far have not been disappointed. They are not many breeders and I ended up going several states away - but if it fits what you're looking for is absolutely worth it. I previously had a GSP (although that was several years ago growing up and was not from a sophisticated kennel or bloodline). Every dog is slightly different, but my personal experience has been:

- Less of a natural retriever
- Smaller/much easier to live with in a smaller place
- Still lots of energy, but not as "Crazy" as my GSP
- Quick learner & willing to please. Less head strong than my GSP.
- Ranges closer
- Great Nose & prey drive

I've only been able to get him out in the field a handful of times so far - so I can't offer a comprehensive review of his hunting prowess, or lack there of... But I have been pleasantly surprised so far and last weekend he pointed his first wild birds well enough for my poor shooting to connect a few times.

If your brother is looking for an awesome companion first and hunting dog second I would highly recommend. Moose is one of the friendliest dogs I've ever met and tags along on backpacking trips, errands around town, fishing from the shore or drift boat and everything in between.

[jagermiester]

Awesome Jake,
I think he has lined up a pup out of an upcoming litter. Should be ready next year. We do a lot of Chukar hunting and I have a GWP. He was talking with a Braque guy from South Dakota and he said that my GWP was going to get outhunted once this dog was going. Im always up for a challenge and pretty excited for my brother to get this dog. He's had a old lab the last couple of years and it has curbed his enthusiasm on bird hunting. I'm hoping that a puppy will rekindle his fire.

[jagermiester]

Well it's official. He put his deposit in. Should get a pup in July. This is the sire Domino.

[jagermiester]

My Brother drove to North Dakota and picked up his new Puppy!!
He said that she was a dream in the truck. She would even whine when she needed a potty break and they would pull over for her to do her thing. The only accident was in the hotel. This coming spring we will get her introduced to birds and run her in the NAVHDA NA next summer. Cant wait to have some help for my GWP in the field.

[jagermiester]

Video

[nutntoit]

Good looking pup. I have wondered about this breed. I wouldn't wait until spring to introduce birds. The sooner you can introduce birds and water the better off you will be.

[Knocker of rocks]

Looks like a nice dog.  She sure has the tuck and roll thing down when in a death battle with an empty bottle

[DOUBLELUNG]

Never heard of them before this post but that's a great looking pup.

[3dvapor]

Looks like you bought a high class gsp.  lol