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Large French Pointers
Large French Pointers, or the
Braque français, type Gascogne or the Braque
Francais de Grande Taille, comprise a breed
of medium- to large-sized gun dog. Although
the original French Pointers had emerged by
the 15th century, the Large French Pointer was
not identified as a breed until the 19th century,
during which it was discovered that French Pointers
in different regions had evolved into two different
breeds, one of which was the Large French Pointer.
Although their names come from
their ability to "point" their masters to the
location of game, Large French Pointers have
a variety of hunting-related skills, making
them excellent and well-rounded gun dogs. Though
they do not move as quickly as their smaller
countarparts, Large French Pointers can retrieve
and even trail birds in many different types
of terrain.
Being the larger of the two French
Pointer breeds, the Large French Pointer weighs
45 to 70 pounds and measures about 23 to 27
inches in height. They are sexually dimorphic
in that females tend to be slightly smaller
than males. Large French Pointers have slender,
athletic builds with long, thin legs; broad,
deep chests; square-looking muzzles; and long
drop ears.
In color, Large French Pointers
may be either medium brown or white covered
with brown speckles and spots of varying sizes.
Their heads are usually brown, and the shade
of brown normally matches the color of the speckles.
Large French Pointers have short but thick and
dense coats which are thicker but longer than
that of their smaller counterparts.
Large French Pointers have mild
and pleasant temperaments. They are friendly,
sociable, affectionate, loyal, gentle, and submissive.
This demeanor by no means makes them boring;
Large French Pointers are outgoing and full
of energy. They are eager to please, impress,
and learn. Large French Pointers depend on their
humans not only for love and affection, but
for leadership.
Large French Pointers require
a significant amount of exercise, and should
be taken for at least one daily walk. They should
also be allowed to run and play in large spaces
routinely, and therefore fare best with a sizable
yard at their disposal. Their coats require
relatively little maintenance, and will do well
being brushed occasionally.
Though generally a healthy breed,
Large French Pointers are prone to hip dysplasia,
bloat, and a series of eye disorders, most notably
retinal atrophy, entropion and ectroption (afflictions
of the eyelids), and distichiasis (an affliction
of the eyelashes). On average, Large French
Pointers live for 14 to 15 years.
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